EBME Forums Forums Management Professional Issues VRCT renewal time

Indeed. In the UK, the Engineering Council is the governing body (regulator) for Engineering Technicians (which is what we are).

But as we know, you need to be a member of a suitable Institute or Society in order to be Registered. In my view there should be no compulsion, but if a tech wants to join in the fun, the question must be:- which Institute or Society to join?

We always used to go for SERT or S.X-Ray.T. The latter disappeared when it was absorbed by the (then) I.Hosp.E. I'm not sure what became of SERT (it's probably known as something else now), but I remember that they used to dish out a good "magazine"!

Perhaps IPEM fullfils the need (I don't know) ... but, on the other hand, maybe a new "biomed tech" club is indeed the answer!

I think its now part of errrmm IPEM!

Merger City!

Or should that be:- it looks like we're all in it together now?

Hi,

Based on some of the contents of this chain a few pointers / clarifications for all.

1] SERT is not a body incorporated in IPEM it actually joined into IHEEM some years ago.

2] The pages Ro-Jo refers to his posting above actually relate to the training scheme run by IPEM for those people who which to avail themselves of it. It has nothing in that sense to do with the VRCT see further points below

3] Whilst completion of such a training scheme can be used to access the VRCT register which is aimed at possible state regulation not registration. It is not the only method by which individuals can obtain entry to the VRCT

4] Regulation is not necessarily registration.

5] IPEM is if those who wish a body able to award registration with ECuk for Eng Tech and Incorporated Engineer as well Charted Engineer. As such all asscessments are in line ECuk requirement.

6] I for example am a registered incorporated engineer with ECuk via as it happens IHEEM and also a member of the VRCT to allow for transfer should state regulation arrive.

7] The IPEM training scheme can be completed without the need for additional accademic study via what is called POST route - aperiod of supervised training in the work place normally lasting 12 to 18 months - nearly all engineering personel on this training scheme are progressing via the post route.

8]

Geoff,
I think you will find it is the Health Professions Council who regulates us
RoJo

I’ll have to defer to you on that one, Robert. You would know much better than me.

But for myself, I’ll stick to the Engineering Council. I might even have my old "Tech. Eng." card hidden away somewhere (amongst my souvenirs).

Missed the start of my favourite subject (NOT!!!). Can I urge everybody to keep their Tenners in their pockets. The VRCT is sooooooo 2005. They still haven't asked US the real Biomeds what we want or how any form of regulation (registration!) should be applied. The old arguments are still there, see previous posts. The people who write job adverts that demand membership should be hoiked up in front of a trubunal and asked if they know the definition of the word "VOLUNTARY". More to the point perhaps Geoff and the other tax payers who "pay our wages" should be asking how much time and money has been wasted so far. Perhaps the word Voluntary refers to the "volunteers" who run the show?

Indeed.

Whilst folk on here like to keep banging on about professional this and professional that - amateur is the word which comes to mind!

Geoff, RoJo: I think you'll find that no one regulates us. The Engineering council is actually the regulator for EngTech/IEng/CEng and technically the engineering profession, but if someone doesn't hold any of these they can't stop you performing a engineering role and hence don't actually regulate us.

The Health Professions Council, if the voluntary register ever became statutory, they'd then be the regulator and could strike someone off.

Although if biomedbill post is anything to go by and we don't actually hear any updates it looks like the VRCT is going to die of apathy.

In response to Dave H:
When the VRCT was formally launched (August 2000) there was an expectation that the process of regulating Healthcare Scientists (including Clinical Technologists) would be completed by 2005. Unfortunately, issues such as the Shipman Inquiry and subsequent general elections have conspired to cause significant delays. Additionally, the development of the Modernising Scientific Careers programme and, the further work this has created, has meant another delay to the implementation of regulation. Hopefully, in the coming months, once we receive clarity from the coalition Government, we will have a clear idea of where we are going and how long it will take. In the meantime I know that the VRCT Panel are still working hard behind the scenes to ensure the proper management of the Register. Your on-going support is essential to ensure that the future needs of the profession are met.

I understand that the VRCT website will be updated later on this week (week ending: 10th December 2010)with some new and important information.