General information
“The EC4 (European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine) Register Commission and Register came under
the direction of EFCC (European Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine) in 2007 when the two organisations, EC4
and FESCC, merged to become EFCC. The title EC4 now solely relates
to the EC4 European Register and the Register Commission. It applies
only to those countries within the European Union. The Register Commission’s
purpose is the operation of the Register and the promotion of Clinical
Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine within the European Union.”
What is the EC4 European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine?
“The EC4 Register
is a database of senior professionals who have met the agreed education
and training requirements
to be independent (consultant grade) practitioners. Version 3 (2010)
of these requirements and details of the operation of the Register
have been published in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
2010:48(7):999-1008.. Registration is via a national
society which has demonstrated equivalence of standards between the
national
register (or similar) and the EC4 European Register.
The EC4 European Register of Specialists
in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine opened in January
1999 and by September 2008
it comprised more than 2000 practitioners from 20 different countries
and the numbers are rising. Registrants include both scientific and
medical practitioners.”
Why is there a need for a Register?
- To collate information about the different
systems of education and training in Clinical Chemistry in the
member states of the European Union
- To establish minimum requirements for the
education and training of Clinical Chemists in the European Union
- To establish a framework of mutual recognition
of qualifications in Clinical Chemistry across the European Union
- To encourage, through mutual recognition,
the continuous updating of the quality of Clinical Chemistry
and its
practitioners in the European Union
- To facilitate communication between bodies
and individuals that practice Clinical Chemistry in the European
Union
- To introduce a title (European Specialist
in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine) that will assist
the
free movement of Clinical Chemists within the European Union
- To communicate
information about Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
to officials
and organisations within the European Union
Why is the Register important for the profession?
The existence of a strong European Register
of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine:
-
Provides an
important benchmark of quality across the profession within Europe
-
Develops the corporate
identity of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in Europe
-
Assists with the promotion
of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine within Europe
-
Assists greater understanding
of the practice of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
within Europe
-
Strengthens the influence
of EFCC and the EC4 Register Commission in dealings with other
professional societies and the diagnostics industry
-
Makes it easier for
EFCC and the EC4 Register Commission to deal with the European Commission
-
Increases the likelihood
that the profession of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
will be afforded
Common Platform or Co-regulation status within the European Union
-
Provides a pool of
experts who may be willing to work for the good of the profession
-
Provides a basis for
pursuing agreed projects of common interest to the profession
What standards must I achieve to be accepted on to the Register?
- Acceptance on to your National Clinical Chemistry
Register (where applicable)
- At least nine years of relevant university
and postgraduate study as defined by the Syllabus for postgraduate
training
in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- Compliance with the national standards for
education and training applicable in your country
- Acceptance of and
compliance with the EC4
Code of Conduct
How will I benefit from being on the Register?
Registrants are able to:
- Use the title “European Specialist in Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine” and the abbreviation “EurClinChem” after
their name
- Receive a certificate from the EC4 Register Commission as evidence
that they are a registered European Specialist in Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine
- Quote the registration on their CV to indicate that they have
achieved and maintained a high level of competence in Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine recognised throughout the European Union
- Receive information about the practice of Clinical Chemistry and
Laboratory Medicine within the European Union
- Expect a warm welcome when visiting a laboratory in any European
Union country
How can I apply to join the Register?
- You are eligible to apply if you were trained
in and/or are registered in a European Union country whose national
society has demonstrated that its education and training
standards are equivalent to those defined by the EC4 Register Commission
- An online application form is available
via the link below
- You should print out the completed form
and send it to your National Clinical Chemistry Register Committee
together with a current Curriculum Vitae, evidence of your acceptance
onto your National Register and proof of payment
- Your application will be scrutinized by
your National Clinical Chemistry Registration Committee and then
sent
to the EC4 Registration Commission
- If you do not have a relevant National Clinical
Chemistry Registration Committee you may submit an application
direct to the EC4 Register Commission (address below)
- Applications may be submitted at any time
of year
- You will require to re-register every five
years demonstrating continuing competence to practice in Clinical
Chemistry
How much will it cost me to join the Register?
- A payment of 50 Euro will cover your registration
for a five year period
- A re-registration payment of 40 Euro for each
five year period thereafter
Do I have to join the EC4 European
Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine?
The Register is entirely voluntary.
Only you can decide if you wish to join the Register. However, the
EC4 Register Commission and EFCC hope that the information
provided above will convince you that being registered provides some
benefits to you and very significant benefits for the profession in
the European Union.
How can I obtain further information about the
Register?
For detailed information on the European Register
of Specialists for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and the
EC4 Code of Conduct you are referred to:
Guide
to the European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and
Laboratory Medicine:
European Clinical Chemist: Version
3-2010
3rd revision: approved at the EC4 Register Commission meeting in Paris, on
5 November 2009
Janet McMurray, Simone Zérah, Michael Hallworth et al
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine 2010; 48(7):999–1008
If you do not have a National Clinical Chemistry
Registration Committee you should contact:
Comité Français du registre EC4
Simone Zérah
4, Avenue Ruysdaël
75379 Paris Cedex 08
Tel: 0033/1 56 21 34 95
Fax: 0033/1 56 21 35 29 |
If you do have a National Clinical Chemistry Registration
Committee, contact your national representative.
For further information about the EC4 European Register
of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine please explore
this website or contact Simone Zerah (Chairman of the EC4 Register Commission)
at
simone.zerah@wanadoo.fr,
Janet McMurray (Secretary of the EC4 register Commission) at
mcmurrayjanet@hotmail.com or
your Register Commission National
Representative. |