ANSTO's Health Physicist development framework

Full text: The Australian nuclear industry is suffering heightened concerns of a skills gap. The following paper provides an overview of ANSTO's approach to developing a radiation protection competency-based framework. The aim is to provide a holistic view of the professional development requirements within ANSTO for current and aspirational Health Physicists, whilst also providing a technical skill profile across ANSTO (i.e. what knowledge, skills and experience Radiation Protection Services are required to show). This will allow the identification and implementation of the required professional development initiatives (learning and competency based activities) to support the development of personnel, their careers, and the radiation protection profession (i.e. how the individuals will show the required knowledge, skills and experience). This is used by ANSTO to create and recognise Qualified Experts in the absence of a formal recognition mechanism within Australia. ANSTO recognises that locally developed measures are more relevant and sustainable than those imported substantially from outside. It is therefore important to support and facilitate indigenous methods and to factor in Australia's and ANSTO's culture – 'the way we do things here' – whilst still achieving radiation protection objectives that reflect international norms. This health physicist development framework has been developed by drawing on the requirements for recognition of example accreditation schemes / professional societies, including ARPAB, ARPS, RPA 2000, SRP (Membership and Chartership); the European Network on Education and Training in Radiation Protection (ENETRAP III); and the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) Guidance on Certification of a Radiation Protection Expert. This Health Physicist development framework is not intended to be definitive, but rather something that grows and adapts as experience is gained using it as part of the professional development of individuals, Radiation Protection team, and ANSTO. In order to support Health Physicists in showing that they possess the required radiation protection knowledge, skills and experience for their ANSTO role, and to support the development of personnel, their careers, and the radiation protection profession, a list of professional development initiatives (learning and competency based activities) has been identified. This includes on-the-job training, mentoring, and attendance at training courses for less experienced health physicists; whilst for more experienced individuals, development requirements are likely to be primarily met by supporting attendance at industry seminars, conferences and specialist training courses. (author)