OEHA E-Blast: Upcoming AEC and More
Updated: Sep 19, 2022
Oregon Environmental Health Association
What's Inside? OEHA AEC, Marine Biotoxins, Air Quality webinars, NEHA AEC, Info from the Oregon Health Registration Board, NEHA News, Job Opportunities with OHA and CDC Food Safety Information
OEHA's Long Awaited Annual Education Conference Coming April 5-7, 2022
The long awaited in-person Oregon Environmental Health Association Annual Educational Conference (OEHA AEC) is nearly upon us! It is coming up from April 5-7, 2022 at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Bend, Oregon. Read more about the OEHA AEC here, including the Conference Agenda and other important logistical conference details.
The OEHA AEC will feature a Silent Auction with generous donations from Pelican Brewing Company, Mt Bachelor, Iron H Ranch, Alpine Physical Therapy and Spine Care, HydroFlask, Deschutes Brewery, Aspen Lakes Golf and Tillamook Creamery. It will also feature a Munch & Mingle and a variety of speakers including Doug Farquhar, Director of Government Affairs
at the National Environmental Health Association, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer of Douglas County, Tyler Radniecki of OSU Wastewater Surveillance, Ivory Iheanacho on Industrial Hygiene, Melissa Scheck on Infection Prevention, Mel Baker, Engineered Products Manager at United Pipe & Supply and many more.
Article: Marine Biotoxin Control for Molluscan Shellfish
It is critical to ensure the appropriate control of marine biotoxins to prevent contaminated product from reaching consumers
Recording Now Available! Solutions and Resources to Address COVID-19 in Schools
This webinar, examining the state of our schools, featured speakers from the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), 21st Century School Fund, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Michigan Chapter of ASHRAE. View the webinar recording to learn how to make the case to implement building upgrades to improve IAQ, reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and optimize school building energy performance.
NEHA AEC: June 28-July 2, 2022
OEHA encourages you to register for the National Environmental Health Association 2022 Annual Educational Conference & Exhibition taking place in Spokane, Washington June 28-July 2. The NEHA AEC is so much more than a conference. It is the nexus of environmental health training, education, networking, and advancement.
This year, the AEC is a hybrid event. OEHA President Sarah Puls plans to attend in person and would love to connect with you if you are also able to travel to Spokane. We all know that one of the greatest losses suffered during the pandemic was the ability to see and work with each other. The conference is both an educational opportunity, but also a chance to connect with our fellow environmental health colleagues.
From the Oregon Environmental Health Registration Board on the Use of “Trainee” Designation in a Professional Setting
If you are an environmental health specialist trainee or waste water specialist trainee registration holder, please be sure to include your status as a “trainee” when presenting yourself in a professional setting, such as on a business card, email signature or survey report. Omitting the word trainee from your title when presenting yourself in a professional setting could constitute a violation of board laws and rules.
Environmental Health Registration Board Online Renewal Discount
The Environmental Health Registration Board, under the Health Licensing Office, has filed a permanent Oregon Administrative Rule with the Secretary of State. The change to the rule language offers Environmental Health Specialists and Waste Water Specialists a $50 discount if they renew their registrations online. The permanent administrative rule and the online discount will be effective Friday, April 1, 2022.
NEHA Award and Scholarship Opportunities
Don’t miss out on nominating a deserving colleague or submitting your application to be considered for the following NEHA awards and scholarship.
· NEHA/AAS Scholarship: March 31
· NEHA Joe Beck Educational Contribution Award: March 31
· NEHA Walter S. Mangold Award: March 31
· NEHA/NSF Walter F. Snyder Award: May 14
NEHA Hill Day a Success
NEHA held its fifth annual Hill Day on March 3. The NEHA Board of Directors, members, and staff met with 37 congressional offices to discuss the environmental health profession, federal funding for environmental health, and the inclusion of environmental health within the PREVENT Pandemics Act.
NEHA Credential Mapping Project
NEHA has completed a research project on the recognition and requirements for the REHS/RS credential across the U.S. This project was funded through the NEHA Endowment Fund and provides valuable insight on workforce credentialing trends and advocacy needs to support a credentialed workforce.
NEPHIP: Apply Now for an Environmental Health Intern
There is still time for health departments to submit an application to be matched with an environmental health intern for 2022 through the National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP). NEPHIP focuses on building the profession by providing environmental health students with first-hand opportunities to work within health departments.
EHS III Job Opportunity with the Oregon Health Authority
Environmental Health Specialist, Consultation/Training Officer, Food, Pool and Lodging Program (Environmental Health Specialist 3) Positions are Open!
Application Deadline: 04/10/2022
Tobacco Licensing Job Opportunity with Oregon Health Authority
Tobacco Retail License Compliance Specialist (Compliance Specialist 3) - 3 positions
Application Deadline: 04/05/2022
Food Safety Subject Matter Experts Needed
NEHA is looking for experienced food safety professionals to help us rewrite the summative assessment of our Professional Food Handler Certificate program. Participation in this project will help us accurately prepare and evaluate our future food safety workforce and strengthen the environmental health profession. Selected participants can earn up to 10 continuing education contact hours.
NEHA Seeks Input on Body Art Model Code
NEHA will be updating its Body Art Model Code and requests review and comments from the environmental health and body art communities. Deadline to provide input is June 30.
Upcoming NEHA Webinars
NEHA is hosting or partnering with other organizations to offer the following webinars:
·New Mexico DOH's Approaches to Estimating Private Wells, Private Well Users, and Risk Estimations: March 22, 3 p.m. EDT
·Protecting Homes During Extreme Weather—High Wind Events: March 24, 2 p.m. EDT, hosted by NEHA and NCHH
·Comprehensive Disaster Assessment and Readiness Toolkit: March 31, 12 p.m. EDT, hosted by the NEHA Preparedness Committee
·Reducing Nitrogen Loading With Enhanced Septic Systems: Social and Environmental Considerations: March 31, 2 p.m. EDT, hosted by NEHA and U.S. EPA
·Environmental Health Policy in Federal and State Governments: April 6, 2 p.m. EDT, presented by NEHA’s Government Affairs
CDC Food Safety Microsite, Now Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
The CDC Food Safety Microsite, a collection of key food safety web pages that can be embedded in other websites, is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. The microsite allows you to add CDC information to your website, and the content updates automatically when CDC makes changes. Visit the Public Health Media Library to view other food safety resources available to add to your websites.
Active CDC Foodborne Outbreak Investigations
Thanks for reading!
Hope to see you at the OEHA AEC next month or another one of OEHA's Regional Events.