ROUND TABLE SESSION 2

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ROUND TABLE SESSION 2 

• Have we got the right training strategy for
  developing and sustaining knowledge and
  competence?
•  
• Panelist Eliana C. S. Amaral
• IRD/CNEN
• Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

• Knowledge can be defined as the amount of
  information absorbed and retained by a person
• Competence as the interaction among knowledge,
  skills and attitudes needed by a person to
  perform a specific job.

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IMPORTANT REMARK

• Knowledge often developed through formal courses,
  self or on job training can not be sustained and
  having practical use if competence were not
  developed and sustained.

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NEW TENDENCIES

• Training plan within a strategic vision to the
  future
• Professional certification given by institutions
  under ISO system
• Focusing the regulatory authorities on its core
  business (licensing, inspection and enforcement)

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HOW IS THE SITUATION IN BRAZIL?

• The Institute for Radiation Protection and
  Dosimetry, IRD, from the Brazilian Nuclear
  Regulatory Authority , CNEN, participates in the
  process to certify the qualification of
  professionals
• It has also na important role in the training of
  professionals (regular courses without evaluation
  of competence and organize updating seminars).

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PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

• For radiation protection supervisors at nuclear
  or industry facilities, the RA gives a
  qualification certificate after a written and
  practical examination, which is conducted by IRD

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PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

• For health professionals, RA accepts the
  certificates given by the Brazilian College for
  Radiology and the Medical Physics Association for
  the medical specialist and the medical physicist,
  respectively
• Besides it is requested the participation of RA
  in the examination on radiation protection
• Regarding competence evaluation it is asked a
  declaration of working experience at recognized
  hospitals.

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PERSPECTIVES

• Discussions are starting on the possibilities of
  the RA to accept certification of professional
  qualification given by institutions accredited
  under the ISO system.

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PREPARING STAFF OF THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY
AUTHORITY

• During the seventies, with the ongoing activities
  of the Brazilian Nuclear Program there was an
  action plan with a recruitment strategy, good
  understanding of the competencies needed,
  adequate budget for training and employment
  perspective

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NOWADAYS SITUATION

• IRD started the implementation of a quality
  system for its inspection (ISO 17020), assays and
  calibration (ISO17025) activities. This is an
  important tool for a constant evaluation and
  optimization of the processes involved.

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PERSPECTIVES

• The IRD intends to ask accreditation for its
  services (assays, calibration and inspection)
  under the ISO system, and to train the inspectors
  to be also certified under the same system
• It is required a published training plan based on
  the competencies defined for each activity, which
  is now being done.

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CONCLUSION

• It is necessary to standardize training and
  development of competence on radiation safety
• ISO system is a world tendency for professional
  certification which will make competencies for
  the same activity more similar, enlarging the
  reliability among institutions and their staff.

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RECOMMENDATION

• The IAEA should recommend this direction to
  member states
• The IAEA and ISO should establish
  procedures/criteria for certification of the
  qualification of professionals
• The IAEA should enhance the sharing of experience
  within and between regions