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I will be resisting joining the VRCT for as long as is humanly possible. I am incandescent with anger with the fact that I have to lash out money to an organisation, that has set themselves up as some sort of elite body, in order to do the job I'm paid to do. The requirement to do this in ANY industry, let alone EBME is an utter disgrace. I have been deemed to be an acceptable EBME Engineer (or whatever title you want to assign) by my immediate superiors. They are the ones who monitor my performance, not some tin-pot committee of people I've never heard of, who have never heard of me, and are never likely to meet.

Well said that man Of course the VRCT might be a very good idea but no-one from the "tinpot committee" has ever ventured north to explain the rationale for it far less to give us some kind of say or vote on it Until then my money stays in my pocket.

Nice one, Naitch!

Just a quick suggestion:- I've noticed that this thread is getting a great deal of attention, so the interest is obviously there. Anyone fancy setting up a poll, so we can establish a "vote" right here and now?

See here for an earlier one. Perhaps we need better (clearer) wording this time?

(that earlier thread - about IPEM really - is worth a quick review, by the way, as it touches on many of the "thorny issues" that this thread has raised [yet again])

My thoughts as well Naitch nice one

Well said mate.
As mentioned previously, we hear from these people but once a year when the annual subsciption is due. They must be so busy representing us that they've forgotten who we are.

What was it that they do for us again?

I don't believe it! I vented my spleen about VRCT, and I expected a barrage of abuse! Instead, I get a chorus of agreement! Must've done something wrong. Nevertheless, I thank every one of you...and you...and you...
On a serious note, my personal situation is a bit different. I had 17 good years with an Electronic Defence Company. When they made me redundant, it was right in the middle of a recession, so I took the first job that was closest to what I was doing, simply as I had to keep the money coming in to put food on the table. I thought, rather optimistically, that the job would improve as I 'bedded' myself in. It didn't - it got more medical and less electronic. Once I got my degree from the Open University, I tried working elsewhere, but I got caught out by company economics. At the moment, this is my 4th stint in Medical Physics (as we call it here) in 8 years.
From this, you can gather that I'm a bit p#ssed off with my professional life - bitter even. Roll on retirement.....oh, sorry, that's covered by another thread(!!!!!) I'm doing what I consider to be a poor job to the best of my ability, and some bunch of non-entities want to charge me £X per annum for the so-called priviledge. Not a chance! IF, and only if, the government (say) deem that Medical Technologists have to be registered, then they should foot the bill, not us. Imposing what amounts to a financial charge for (in some cases) pursuing the profession that some of us followed by choice is a dis-incentive, and should be resisted at all costs.

Up the revolution!!!!!!

Here's a bit of advice from Uncle Geoff. You should never allow yourself to become a victim. If people are treating you badly (not giving you the respect you feel you deserve, and all the rest), then perhaps it's because you haven't made it clear how you want to be treated. Personally, I'm a great advocate of the "quiet word, and the gentle touch", but at the end of the day I don't take s**te (it rhymes with "height") from anybody. Why not adopt that style yourself?

Surely the bottom line must be, if you're really that unhappy, perhaps it's time to ask yourself the question ... ? Each of us only has one life to live, after all, so it's best not to waste it in bitterness (or, more especially, despair)!

Sometimes you just have to resist. For example, I have noticed that, in Modern Britain (and in the NHS especially), there seems to be more and more so-called "assertive" people about. Often, it has to be said, these are young, casually dressed women (usually with a stethoscope as their only means of adornment). Sometimes I encounter the other type; that is the "power-dressing" executive class of woman, intent (it would seem) on bull-dozing through whatever agenda they are promoting this week (with little or no regard for the needs or sensibilities of others, as long as their own personal "targets" are driven towards). Very sad people, indeed. Then there is the other type I sometimes see in the hospitals, the "attractive" (to some, perhaps) young woman using her sexuality to peddle equipment and supplies. Well, I must admit that I sometimes find great sport in stopping such people in their tracks! 'Nuff said on that one, I think.

Meanwhile (being the nurses' advocate ... ), the women I do like to see about the hospitals are the plain, caring type, generally quietly working away in the background. They usually (but not always) tend to be the more "junior" ladies. Those who strive to meet the "angels of mercy" model. I support those people 100% (and even don't mind taking a bit of "stick" from them now and then, especially if it's deserved)! By and large, it's them who are delivering the care that the patients are there for.

As I've probably said before, there is no way to happiness, happiness is the way. Enjoy your work! Being a biomed (an engineering technician, that is) is a decent, honourable enough line to be involved in. Be human! It's not about making big bucks, it's about giving a damn.

This post is a personal response.

I have serious concerns about the personal attacks that I and my colleagues have to endure on this Forum - "we hear from these people but once a year"; "an organisation, that has set themselves up as some sort of elite body"; "and some bunch of non-entities (sic)"; "tinpot committee"; "Who's getting rich from this!!!"

At least Geoff Hannis makes his comments without accusations of a derogative or personal nature and which are based on sound argument and not of personal criticism. I am happy to accept such arguments as it allows me to hopefully persuade him and he to respond to me appropriately!

And, by the way,I gave a presentation about the VRCT in Inverness in 2005 and a colleague gave one in Glasgow in 2006. If anyone wants to have a presentation about the VRCT please let me know.

The Code of Conduct of the VRCT says quite clearly: "Do not recklessly or maliciously attempt to injure, either directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects or business of another Clinical Technologist." So I guess that is why those who make these comments, especially anonymously, don't want to be part of the VRCT as they know they are unable to be courteous or professionally accountable for their comments about their colleagues - of whom I am one!

Jim Methven

This has nothing to do with the VRCT and everything to do with Agenda for Change!

Jim Methven

I feel there is an air of paranoia, which is quite frankly unfounded from many camps. In essence the registration is a good thing and will eventually if embraced adequately, will raise standards nationally. Those individuals and departments already working to a high standard will not have to change, but others will have to raise their game or loose their registration..... If they do not want to adopt best practice and professional standards, will they be missed?

Yes, it will make recruiting more difficult in the short term, but with time, mindsets change and anyone wishing to pursue a career in clinical technology will have to train and demonstrate competancy in their chosen field rather than drift into it.