Evolving Environmental Public Health An overly ambitious ideal or an achievable reality? British Columbia 2011

Phi Phan, BSc, MPH, CPHI(C) National President Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors 720 – 999 West Broadway Vancouver BC V5Z 1K5 National Office: Direct:

“Learning is not a product of schooling but the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” Albert Einstein

The public health inspector was trained and qualified specifically for public health. The profession was not borrowed or loaned from another field but created for the demand. It is an old profession, outdating many of the others as history records inspections of food, housing and unsanitary conditions long before the formal development of the other medical sciences. T.E. Elliott (1971)

So… how is it we’re all sitting here? Photo courtesy of CIPHI Newfoundland & Labrador

Sanitary Inspectors in Canada In the early 20 th century, sanitary inspectors struggled to improve their credentials and gain professional recognition The road to improved status had three main elements: – Improving technical knowledge – Having that expertise certified through licensing – Making possession of that license a prerequisite for employment (Malowany, 2010)

“We want to raise the status of the whole profession… and in fact the only way to do this, is by means of education.” Ernest W. J. Hague President of the Sanitary Inspectors’ Association of Canada, 1927

Addressing Member Education Improving members’ technical knowledge took a number of forms: – A regular column in the Public Health Journal (predecessor to the Cdn J of Public Health) – Local committees met regularly to hear lectures and discuss issues – Provincial meetings when feasible – National meetings held annually (except for disruptions due to WWI)

Certification For almost 70 years, EPH certification was not under the control of PHIs/EHOs – Canadian Public Health Association – Other organization credentials including: Royal Sanitary Institute, Britain ( ) – Now part of the Royal Society for Public Health Royal Sanitary Association, Scotland National Environmental Health Association Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors – The issue of self-certification was finally settled in 1981

Prerequisite for Employment Varying levels of support of the Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada) as a prerequisite for employment This is one goal that we still have not fully achieved.

Overview of the CPC Program

Reference Guide Release 1.1 Manuel de référence, version 1.1

Program Goal To help ensure that Environmental Public Health Professionals are equipped with skills, knowledge and abilities essential in their role of protecting the health of Canadians!

Program Objectives The Continuing Professional Competencies (CPC) Program has five objectives: 1.To establish a system to encourage all practicing EPHPs in Canada to meet the standards for maintaining the CPHI(C) credential 2.To support EPHPs in gaining and maintaining the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to their role of protecting the health of Canadians 3.To encourage EPHPs to become increasingly reflective in their practice 4.To help create consistency across the profession and promote workforce development 5.To improve recognition and credibility as a profession

Program Steps 1.There are defined discipline specific competencies. Use them to conduct a self assessment 2.Identify learning objectives and development goals 3.Review PD requirements 4.Put learning plan into action – collect professional development hours (PDHs) 5.Then submit PDHs

Professional Development Model

Purpose And Components Purpose: Provides a framework to support the continued growth and development of EPHPs Quantifies the areas in which EPHPs should direct their professional development in order to maintain and improve their professional competency Components 1.Reflective Practice 2.Professional Development Hours 3.Self Reporting

Reflective Practice Reflection is a useful problem solving tool for the profession and an effective way to: Perform an ongoing evaluation of personal conduct and demonstration of competencies Assess educational needs EPHPs should ask themselves key questions after engaging in professional and learning activities, such as: What happened in that particular situation? What was the outcome? Do I need to do something differently next time?

Professional Development Hours As part of the CPC Program, you will collect 80 PDHs a year PDHs will include hours worked in the profession (on the job hours) and a combination of other activities such as: Conference/workshop attendance Courses Research activities Etc.

Self Reporting Requirements: Maintain a written record of CPC activities Report CPC hours annually by December 31 st using Detailed Activity Record form Retain records of all PD activities (e.g. course and conference receipts) for at least three years

Standards of Practice

Code of Ethics

So Why Participate?

For CPHI(C) Holders It is about the continued growth and recognition of specific skills and knowledge EPHPs hold – individually and collectively The program was designed “by the profession, for the profession.” CPC’s components and documentation had significant input from CPHI(C) holders

For CPHI(C) Holders CPC is designed to contribute positively to workforce development in Canada by – improving consistency in terminology – clarifying roles and responsibilities, and – enhancing mobility across practice settings and jurisdictions. Most of all, we need evidence that we are dedicated and engaged in our profession.

For Employers By supporting participation, employers can be assured that staff have the required skills, knowledge and abilities for EPH practice Continuing education provides a framework to allow professionals to be up-to-date with new knowledge and are thus prepared to face emerging challenges CPC can provide a basis for a QA/QC baseline for employees

Accreditation Canada Standards for Public Health Services – The standards address the five core functions of a public health system: health assessment, health surveillance, health promotion, health protection, and disease and injury prevention. A key standard is: – Engaging prepared and proactive staff Addresses the need for public health services staff to be educated, trained, qualified, and competent

Additional Benefits to Employers CPC can provide practical operation support with respect to: – Providing sound rationale for job descriptions – Supporting staff recruitment, development and retention – Assisting with staff engagement – Providing a rational for securing funds to support workforce development and additional staffing – Establishing consistent, evidence-based performance evidence based frameworks

Benefits for Students By aligning with the Learning Objectives of the BOC, CPC provides a standardized framework for the skills, knowledge and abilities throughout one’s career You will be prepared to address the challenges of today and tomorrow

In this day and age, time has become extremely precious. We simply cannot afford to waste it. Our members today, and in the future, should avail themselves of all the data at hand to prevent repeating or spoiling the work of the past. Thomas E. Elliott, C.S.I. (C) President, Canadian Institute of Sanitary Inspectors, 1961

Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival. W. Edwards Deming

Thank you for listening!

Questions and/or Comments?