Competency Assessment PDF

Quality Talk COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT Alaa Alsulaimani OUTLINE: ▪ Definition ▪ Frequency ▪ Six elements of competency assessment ▪ Assessor ▪ Corrective Action ▪ Review and approval COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT: ▪ Is the evaluation of the Technicians’ and/or Technologists’ ability to perform his/her assi...

Quality Talk COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT Alaa Alsulaimani OUTLINE: ▪ Definition ▪ Frequency ▪ Six elements of competency assessment ▪ Assessor ▪ Corrective Action ▪ Review and approval COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT: ▪ Is the evaluation of the Technicians’ and/or Technologists’ ability to perform his/her assigned job duties correctly according to the section’s policies and procedures. ▪ Competency assessment evaluates an individual's ongoing ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results. COMPETENCY MUST BE ASSESSED AT THE FOLLOWING FREQUENCY: Assessment / evaluation of new and existing employee’s performance is done as follows: ▪ New employee: first assessment within seven months from the start of testing and second assessment no later than 12 months from the start of testing. ▪ All employee: ❑ Annually, ❑ When problems are identified with an individual's performance. ❑ For any new process following training. THE COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT OF THE STAFF PERFORMING WAIVED OR NON-WAIVED TESTING IS DONE BY USING ALL OR ANY COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING SIX ELEMENTS OF COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT: 1. Direct observations of routine test performance, including, as applicable, patient/ sample identification and preparation; and specimen collection, handling, processing and testing. 2. Monitoring the recording and reporting of test results, including, as applicable, reporting critical results. 3. Review of intermediate test results or worksheets, quality control records, proficiency testing results, and preventive maintenance records. ▪ Assessment of the recording of quality control results and instrument maintenance data. ▪ In element #3 during the monthly supervisory review process of these records. 4. Direct observation of performance of instrument maintenance and function checks, as applicable. 5. Assessment of test performance through testing previously analyzed specimens, internal blind testing specimens (e.g., de-identified patient specimens) or external proficiency testing specimens. ▪ Assessment of test performance in element #5 during reviews of proficiency testing or alternative performance assessment records. 6. Evaluation of problem-solving skills. ▪ Assessment of problem-solving skills in element #6 from monthly reviews of corrective action logs where problems with quality control or instrument function were investigated. ▪ Laboratories often use a checklist to record and track elements assessed (Competency Assessment_ LB-FO-P&P19-01 to LB-FO-P&P19-17 ) ▪ Records supporting the assessment must be retained (copies of worksheets, maintenance logs, etc. or information traceable to the original record). Examples of records are should be collected during routine practices and procedures COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT - ASSESSOR QUALIFICATIONS ▪ Competency assessment is performed by qualified individual (assessor) having the education and experience to evaluate the complexity of the testing being assessed. ▪ Section heads perform the competency assessment for the technical supervisor/s and laboratory doctors in their sections. ▪ Section supervisors perform the competency assessment for seniors and lab staff in their sections. ▪ Lab medical director perform the competency assessment for all responsibilities of section heads. COMPETENCY CORRECTIVE ACTION ❑ The section head or designee will be responsible for determining what additional training or retraining is required to bring the employee’s performance up to standards. ❑ Example of remediation actions: ▪ Discuss the procedure with the employee. ▪ Retraining of the employee to the specific procedure. ▪ Have the employee reread the procedure and discuss it with him/her to clarify the misunderstanding. ▪ Have the employee observe another trained staff. ▪ Have the employee practice the procedure with blind samples. ▪ Until the employee has been retrained and reassessed as competent on the task in question, he/she may not be allowed to perform the task and/or report results. ▪ Document remediation action on competency form REVIEW AND APPROVAL ▪ The laboratory director ensures sufficient numbers of personnel with appropriate educational qualifications, documented training and experience, and adequate competency to meet the needs of the laboratory. ▪ Assessor ▪ Head of section. ▪ Lab medical director. STANDARD ▪ CAP : GEN.53400, GEN.53600, GEN.53625, GEN.53650, GEN.55499, GEN.55500, GEN.55505, GEN.55510, GEN.55525 ,GEN.57000 and DRA.11300. ▪ CBAHI: LB.5