The IICMS
was inaugurated in September 2004. Since then our primary aim has
always been Support and promote the continued development of
Clinical Measurement Science in Ireland and to raise our profile
within the Irish Health Service.
The aim
was to unite and represent all those working in physiological
measurement sciences in Ireland into a single group, with a strong
voice. Education was always a key issue. The Institute is there is
to promote and support ongoing education, both at undergraduate and
post graduate level and in doing so developing standardisation of
training and practice.
In order
to do this and implement it professional standards need to be
agreed. Professional standards ensure the protection of the client
and the professional. Recognised professional standard and
competencies allow recognition outside of our own county.
A
voluntary register in advance of state registration would be
required with a view to provide accreditation for physiological
measurement laboratories as clinical teaching laboratories. The aim
of achieving state registration is to standardize and regulate
ourselves using the accreditation route of the labs and individuals
working within the profession. This leads to the achievement of best
practice and improved quality of service to our patients. In turn
this reflects positively on the status of our profession.
A council
to register all this activity would be necessary to not only oversee
the initial process but to implement the goals and monitor for
future service needs and planned developments in the health sector.
All of
the above these aims would benefit from affiliation and membership
to an internationally recognised organisation. Membership would
instantly go to further raising the profile and standing of the
profession within and outside of Ireland.
In order
to achieve this, the IICMS applied for membership to International
Organisation
of
Societies for Electrophysiological Technology,
OSET.
Application was made in December 2006 and the congress voted
on our application on the 13th June 2007. While the organisation
mainly contains members working the field of
neurodiagnostic or Neurophysiology, it will accept membership from
organisations representing a broader field of professionals like
ourselves. Informal contact has been made with the current
President, Ms Margaret Woolcock who, feels we are a “classic
example of the way many societies today are redirecting their
format. Since many of us do various jobs that tend to overlap, it is
good to have other disciplines within the society to help with
education and training.” Mr Willie Riordan, Chief Neuro
Technologist in the Mater Hospital has attended the AGM as a
representative of the IICMS.
So who
are OSET?
The
International Organisation
of
Societies for Electrophysiological Technology was inaugurated in
1977 in Switzerland. It was initially established to represent those
working in Neurophysiology in Europe but has expanded to include
international members and those working all fields of
electrophysiology. The aim of the organization was to strive, in all
countries, to promote education and the attainment of the highest
level of knowledge and understanding in the field of
Electrophysiological Technology. Their primary concern was always
education Their mission is to encourage scientific research, improve
the quality of teaching programs
and supply information and support to those professionals interested
in the field of electrophysiology technology and its development.
