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American Academy of Health Physics
American Board of Health Physics
Website: www.aahp-abhp.org

Address contributions for "CHP Corner" or CHP News to:
GARY KEPHART, CHP CIH
Work: 217-935-8881 x4211
Fax: 217-935-4279
E-mail: Gary_Kephart@illinova.com
STEVE RIMA, CHP CSP
Work: 970-248-6787
E-mail: steven.rima@doegjpo.com

May 2000

REMINDER—STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHPs:

The Academy's Professional Standards and Ethics Committee wishes to remind all Certified Health Physicists (CHP) of the requirement and expectation to conform to our professional code of conduct. By applying for and achieving certification, the CHP recognizes and assumes the following responsibilities:

The CHP shall:
  1. Support and Improve the Profession of Health Physics
    1. The CHP shall support the purposes of the American Academy of Health Physics (the Academy).
    2. The CHP shall endeavor to advance the Health Physics profession by sharing information and experience with others and by contributing to the work of professional associations, schools, and the professional, scientific, and technical press.
    3. The CHP shall not act in a manner that may bring the profession or the Academy into disrepute.
  2. Provide Technical Competence
    1. The CHP shall remain active in the field, strive to improve his/her professional knowledge, and endeavor to be aware of contemporary scientific, technical, and regulatory developments.
    2. The CHP shall practice only in areas of his/her expertise.
    3. The CHP shall practice his/her profession following recognized scientific principles.
    4. The CHP shall counsel affected parties factually regarding potential health risks and precautions necessary to avoid adverse health effects.
    5. The CHP should accept opportunities to increase public understanding of radiation protection and the purposes of the Academy.
  3. Act in the Public Interest
    1. The CHP shall have due regard for the safety and health of the public and of individuals who may be affected by his/her work.
    2. The CHP shall not undertake any employment or consultation that is contrary to law.
    3. The CHP shall not compromise public welfare and safety in favor of a private interest.
  4. Maintain High Standards in Dealing with Others
    1. The CHP shall maintain the highest standards of integrity and fairness in his/her professional interactions with employers, colleagues, workers, clients, government agencies, and the general public.
    2. The CHP shall not attempt to falsely injure the reputation of any person.
    3. The CHP shall protect the sources and content of confidential communications or other confidential personal or business information obtained in the course of his/her practice, provided that such protection is not itself unethical or illegal.
    4. Without the knowledge and consent of his/her client, the CHP shall not accept or offer commissions, allowances, or finder's fees, directly or indirectly, from contractors or other parties dealing with the client.
    5. The CHP shall avoid circumstances where a compromise of professional judgment or conflict of interest may arise.
    6. The CHP shall not knowingly take credit for the work of others and shall give credit where it is due.
The Professional Standards and Ethics Committee has established a Standard Operating Procedure for evaluation of charges alleging a violation of these standards. Complaints are to be submitted to the Academy President and should include identification of the specific part or parts of the Standards alleged to have been violated, the context of the violation (legal proceeding, private consultation, etc.), a description of the conduct alleged to be in violation of the Standard(s), the relationship of the complainant to the named CHP, and the agreement of the complainant to keep the names of the parties and the conduct of the proceedings confidential. If the president determines that there are omissions in the submitted material, the material will be returned to the complainant for amendment. We are working to make the standard operating procedures accessible on the Academy Web site. In the interim, interested members can request S.O.P. 2.7.1 (Guidelines for the AAHP Executive Committee and the AAHP Professional Standards and Ethics Committee for Evaluation of Charges Alleging Violation of the Standards of Professional Responsibility for Certified Health Physicists) from the Secretariat.