Why Should I Join the European Register
of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine?

This question has been asked by a number of senior professionals working in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in the European Union. This brief paper seeks to help you to reach an answer by addressing three related questions.

1. What is the European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine?

The register is held and operated by the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4). This is an official European Union subcommittee of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). The members of EC4 are the national societies from the fifteen European Union countries that belong to IFCC (twenty five countries from mid 2004). The office bearers of EC4 are elected by these national societies. EC4 has a wide range of activities - please visit the EC4 website for current information on EC4 officers and activities.

The register itself is simply a database of senior professionals who have met the agreed education and training requirements to be independent (consultant grade) practitioners. Version 2 (2003) of these requirements and details of the operation of the register have been published in Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry 2003; 41: 238-247. Registration is usually via a national society that has demonstrated equivalence of standards between the national register (or similar) and the European Clinical Chemist Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.

An on-line application form to join the European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine may be obtained from the EC4 website. Once completed this should be submitted electronically and a printout, together with a curriculum vitae and a single payment of 50 EUR, should be sent to the address given for the appropriate country. Successful applicants are admitted to the register for a five-year period, with no annual fee. A certificate is issued to all registrants. Subsequent re-registration will require the registrant to demonstrate that he/she is still in active practice and undertaking continuing professional development.

The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine opened in January 1999 and by November 2003 it comprised more than 1500 practitioners from 12 different countries, and the numbers are rising rapidly. Registrants include both scientific and medically qualified practitioners.

2. Why is the European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Important?

This question may be answered from two complementary perspectives:

The Perspective of the Registrant

Individual practitioners accepted on to the European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine may:

• Use the letters EurClinChem after their name.
• Quote the registration on their CV to indicate that they have reached a high level of professional competence recognised throughout the European Union.
• Quote the registration if they are considering moving to a post in another European Union country.
• Receive information about EC4 and the practice of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine within the European Union.
• Expect a warm welcome when visiting in any European Union country.
  

The Perspective of 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.
• Provides a basis for pursuing agreed projects of common interest to the profession.
• Strengthens the influence of EC4 in dealings with other professional societies and the diagnostics industry.
• Makes it easier for EC4 to deal with the European Commission.
• Increases the likelihood that the profession of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine will be afforded Common Platform Status within the European Union.
• Provides a pool of experts who may be willing to work for the good of the profession.
  

3. Do I Have to Join the European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine?

The register is entirely voluntary and will remain so. Only you can decide if you wish to join the register. However, EC4 hopes that the information provided above will convince you that being registered provides some benefits to you and very significant benefits for the profession in Europe.

For further information about the European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine or any other aspect of the work of EC4 please visit the EC4 website or contact Michael Hallworth (Secretary to EC4) at mike.hallworth@rsh.nhs.uk or Janet McMurray (Secretary to the EC4 Register Commission) at janet.mcmurray@srht.nhs.uk.