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Volume 6 - Issue 4

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BLS eNews

 

 

Executive Director's Message

As 2012 comes to an end, I would like to take this time to thank you for your support and loyalty to the Board of Laser Safety. This fall the BLS celebrated its 10th year as the provider of laser safety officer certification; we proudly congratulate the following laser safety officers who have achieved the distinction of holding the title of CLSO consecutively since 2002:

Ken Barat
Joe Greco
Tom Johnson
Wes Marshall
David Sliney
Dewey Sprague
Eddie Ciprazo
Ben Edwards
Bill Ertle
Bob Sarason
Paul Sorensen
Richard Hughes
Bill Janssen
Myung Chul Jo
Johnny Jones
Kim Kantner
Robert Mueller
Ross Muenchausen
Rod Nickell
Jay Parkinson
Candace Soles
Allen Wood

The BLS has grown to 431 CLSOs and CMLSOs, through a down economy we have endured. The value of certification is becoming prevalent, employers are not only recognizing our certification, but also requesting that candidates be eligible to sit for the exam (see Job Opportunities).

An important part of becoming certified is staying certified. The BLS requires continuing education activities to maintain one's certification, acknowledging the need to stay aware of new technology and other advances in the field. A CLSO or CMLSO must undergo recertification every three years, at which time it is necessary to demonstrate completion of sufficient professional development activities to ensure continued competency.

The certification maintenance (CM) cycle begins on January 1 of the year following the year in which the individual passed the exam. The cycle ends on December 31 of the third year. A minimum of ten CM points must be obtained over the course of each 3-year cycle. It is vital to plan ahead; in which activities will you participate to earn your points?

For a thorough review of certification maintenance including CM categories in detail, please go to  http://www.lasersafety.org/certification-maintenance. To download a CM manual or worksheet, please go to http://www.lasersafety.org/forms/certification. If you have any questions regarding activities for certification maintenance, please contact the BLS at 407.380.1553 or email us at  BLS@lasersafety.org.

Barbara Sams
Executive Director


Featured CMLSO, Loura Petsche

Hello, I am Loura Petsche, RN, BSN, CNOR, CMLSO, OR Manager of Children's Hospital and Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska and I obtained my diploma in Nursing in 1983 and my Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2012. I have worked at Children's Hospital and Medical Center (Omaha, NE) since 1985 and was appointed leader of the laser safety program in 2000. (more.)

Featured CLSO, Jeffrey Pfoutz

I am Jeffrey Pfoutz, I received my Bachelor of Science in 1983 from Jacksonville University and Masters of Science in Applied Physics from John Hopkins University in 2002.
Since 1985, I have worked for the U.S. Army Public Health Command; my current responsibilities at this position include Laser/Optical health hazard studies, providing Laser/Optical health hazard consultations, conducting Army Laser/Optical installation surveys and providing training for DA and other DoD clients on Laser/Optical Safety issues. I perform hazard analyses and measurements of Laser/Optical sources for developmental and current items in the Army inventory in addition to developing radiation protection programs for activities operating these types of sources. I also provide training for tactical and research activities.. (more.)


ASC Z136 News
As the luck of the Irish would have it, the ASC Z136 Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2013, the day before the start of the International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC) in Orlando, FL. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00am local time; the meeting agenda will be available in January. (more.)


 

Welcome New CLSOs!

Martin Johnson USAF Academy
Michael McGuigan Arnes Laboratory, USDOE

Welcome New CMLSOs!

Cheryl Bieyl Aultman Health Foundation
Lisa Downey Coastal Radiology
Kenneth Eavenson MetroHealth Medical Center
Kenneth Fitzpatrick Elliot Hospital
Michele Giacobbi UPMC Passavant
John Gratzle UC Irvine Medical Center
Denise Lindstrom
Nargis Rabimova San Francisco VA Medical Center
Vickie Trout Crossroads Community Hospital
Kimberly Trumphour Aultman Hospital
Kelly Wallace Veterans Affairs Medical center Fayettville

Save the Dates!

December 4–6, 2012 Laser Safety Officer Training, Orlando, FL
December 12–14, 2012 NEW!
LSO for Research and Development, Orlando, FL
January 28–February 1, 2013 LSO with Hazard Analysis Training, Orlando, FL
February 9–10, 2013 Medical LSO Training, San Antonio, TX
Feb 12-13, 2013 LAM, Houston, TX
February 26–28, 2013 Laser Safety Officer Training, San Diego, CA
March 2–3, 2013 Medical LSO Training, San Diego, CA
March 16–17, 2013 Medical LSO Training, Orlando, FL
Mar 18-21, 2013 ILSC, Orlando, FL

If your company/organization is planning an event and would like to be listed above, as well as apply for BLS Certification Maintenance points, please contact us at bls@lasersafety.org. Thank you.


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