Health Science & Protection Accreditation

Transcription

1 National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC): Striving for Excellence in Environmental Health Education. Gary Silverman Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH USA & Escuela de Seguridad Laboral e Higiene Ambiental Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica

2 Purpose of Accreditation The goal of accreditation of environmental health science and protection programs is to enhance the education and training of students who intend to become environmental health science and protection practitioners/professionals.

3 History of Accreditation Begun in 1967 First program accreditation in 1967 Major guidelines revisions in 1986 and 1992 Need recognized for expanding beyond traditional academic programs

4 Outreach Beyond Accreditation Creation of Environmental Health Primer for Local Health Department Boards of Health (CDC( funds, distributed by NALBOH) Creation of Food Protection Video (CDC( funds, distributed by NALBOH) Creation of AEHAP broader mission

5 EHAC Objectives Promote critical thinking. Provide for development of skills, knowledge & attributes for graduates to function as members of a health team in the public or private sector. Inspire students to continue their education throughout life & to fully appreciate their professional obligations.

6 EHAC Objectives Promote a high quality education Assist universities & colleges developing or offering curriculum, advising them on content and faculty qualifications. Promote commonality in coverage of basic concepts. Promote undergraduate curricula of a quality and content compatible with admission prerequisites of graduate programs Evaluate academic programs using criteria established by the Council. Publish a list of the institutions with programs accredited by the Council.

7 Key Competencies Technical skills Communications skills (written) Communications skills (oral) Computer skills Identify reliable & relevant information Drawing appropriate conclusions Choosing & defending an appropriate course of action Knowledge of environmental health Life-long learning General attitude Environmental mentality Work habits Professional ethics Social skills Professional involvement Professional development

8 Behavior anchored rating scale for Computer Skills competency 5. Demonstrates wide range of computer applications, including trouble shooting and analysis. Develops advanced computer applications and assists others. 4. Able to effectively use the computer for routine work needs and special projects. 3. Uses computer effectively for routine work needs. 2. Can perform very basic computer skills but needs substantial training for routine work needs. 1. Has very few computer skills.

9 Composite Competency Results Graduates Supervisors Mean SD Mean SD Technical Skills Communication Skills (Written) Communications Skills (Oral) Computer Skills Identify Reliable and Relevant Information Drawing Appropriate Conclusions Choosing & Defending an Appropriate Course of Action Knowledge of Environmental Health Life Long Learning General Attitude Environmental Mentality Work Habits Professional Ethics Social Skills Professional Involvement Professional Development

10 EHAC Basic Science Requirement Courses must be the same as those offered to basic science majors. Biological Sciences with laboratories (to include microbiology) - one year or equivalent. Chemistry with laboratories (general and organic) - one year or equivalent. Physics - one-half year or equivalent. Basic Science Electives - one and one-half years or equivalent

11 EHAC Specialty Areas Air Quality Control Environmental Chemistry Environmental Economics Environmental Epidemiology Environmental Health Management Environmental Health Planning Environmental Law & Policy Environmental Microbiology Epidemiology Food Protection Risk Assessment Risk Communication Global Environmental Health Hazardous Materials Housing Hydrogeology Industrial Hygiene Injury Prevention Institutional Health Noise Control Occupational Health & Safety Radiation Health Recreational Environmental Health Soils Solid Waste Management Statistical Methods Toxicology Vector Control Wastewater Water Quality Water Supply

12 EHAC Subject Area Requirements Separate Courses in: Epidemiology Statistical Methods Toxicology

13 EHAC Subject Area Requirements Basic Understanding of These Topics: Environmental Economics Environmental Health Management Environmental Law and Public Policy Development Risk Assessment Risk Communication

14 EHAC Subject Area Requirements Every student must complete in depth study in at least four of the listed technical areas and be exposed to a majority of the listed topics

15 Specialty Area Preparation Specialty Area Job Need (%) Program Prep. (%) Environmental Law & Policy Risk Assessment Risk Communication Hazardous Materials Occupational Health & Safety Toxicology Air Quality Control Statistical Methods Environmental Chemistry Injury Prevention Water Quality Industrial Hygiene Wastewater Environ. Health Management 53 67

16 Specialty Area Preparation Specialty Area Job Need (%) Program Prep. (%) Epidemiology Solid Waste Management Environmental Microbiology Noise Control Soils Environmental Epidemiology Institutional Health Environmental Health Planning Water Supply Vector Control Radiation Health Food Protection Environmental Economics Hydrogeology Housing Recreational Environ. Health Global Environmental Health 26 59

17 Individual Preparation Relevance: Job required knowledge and graduate received preparation in specialty. Over-preparation: Job did NOT require knowledge but graduate received preparation. Deficiency: Job required knowledge and graduate did NOT receive preparation. Efficiency: Job did NOT require knowledge and graduate did NOT receive preparation.

18 Major Areas of Deficiency Specialty Relevance Deficiency Efficiency Soils Law & policy Injury prevention Over- preparation Hydro- geology Environ. Economics

19 Major Areas of Deficiency Specialty Relevance Deficiency Efficiency Planning Over- preparation Risk Commun- ication Statistical methods Risk Assess- ment Radiation Health

20 Major Areas of Over-preparation Specialty Relevance Deficiency Efficiency Food Global Radiation Over- preparation Epidemi- ology Noise

21 Major Areas of Over-preparation Specialty Solid waste Relevance Deficiency Efficiency Vectors Over- preparation Institu- tional Environ. epidem. Water supply

22 EHAC Objectives Promote critical thinking. Provide for development of skills, knowledge & attributes for graduates to function as members of a health team in the public or private sector. Inspire students to continue their education throughout life & to fully appreciate their professional obligations.

23 Conclusions and Recommendations Academic programs graduate meet competency objectives Academic program graduates very broad academic backgrounds Professional responsibilities vary considerably among graduates Different organizations looking for different specific skill sets Success in attaining core competencies indicate opportunity for future success.

24 Improvements?

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