Non-waived testing Competency Assessors

Happy New Year!

Our institution only has one moderately complex test and a small number of staff members that use the test platform.  Cardiac Cath. Lab nursing staff run a cooximeter that has an IQCP.  I directly observe the Nurse Clinical Lead in the department, then she does all the rest of the direct observations for the rest of the staff.

I use the same competency assessment for the Clinical Lead as the rest of the staff. I initially went over with her what is expected for each checklist item (but this is really self explanatory).

She is listed in our organizational chart for CAP POC:03550.

Regards,

Amanda Casavant, BS MT(ASCP) POCC

acasavant@southcountyhealth.org

We have 4 moderate testing that are CAP accredited, 3 that require an IQCP. The Point of Care team (2 full time coordinators and a part time member) perform all initial training. Competency assessments are performed by the RN or RT educators. All new educators are met with one on one, trained and documented as a technical consultant on our cap website. A competency is filled out specific to technical consultant roles and fulfills our policies related to CLIA defined roles. Each year, every test method is viewed as a competency is happening. I go to a skills fair or follow along to competency session with a technical consultant. I document this in the IQCP's annual review. All unit managers and educators are invited to an annual meeting to discuss IQCP with the annual review.

Hi Erika,

Do the RN and RT educators have a bachelor’s and 2 years of experience on the moderate testing to qualify as a TC? I’m asking because we’ll be going live with iSTAT and are trying to determine if the educators can help us with checking off competency. However, based off the definition of TC they cannot help us.

You are right Mary.  We just had a CAP inspection and were sited for an RT with a BA signing off on competencies.  He did not have the course work requirements.  I have to review all of his staff for competency. 

Please make sure you check your state laws as well.  For example, California State Laws state that Technical Consultants are individuals who are licensed to perform High Complexity Testing.  By that definition, RN and RT cannot perform competency assessment on non-waived tests. 

What if you have an individual who has had non waived experience at a prior organization? Would you count this as experience and evaluate their experience then have the individual be a TC? If so, how would you document the training and show proof of prior training for experience?

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We have a short form they complete and keep w/their training/competency records.  CAP inspector saw it and like it.....

I, ___________have experience with the _______________ from my previous employment at __________________.  I performed testing for _______year(s) and was responsible for training staff for _____(s). 

Signed:  _______________   Date: 

Cindy, Are you verifying that the user actually has experience once this form is completed?

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No, we haven't been and have only used it twice.  I had called CAP a couple times to discuss and one of them told me they did something similar when they worked in POC. 

We just got inspected by CAP and they recommended that we revise our non-waived competency forms for AVOX, ACT, GEM 4000 and TEG platelet mapping. They said we need to revise them so the 6 elements are clearly met. Does anyone have competencies for these that they would be willing to share? 

breana.birmingham@dignityhealth.org

As for the assessor of these non-waived tests we have designated staff (RN and RT) with Bachelor's of Science degrees signing off the competency then I do kind of like a cover letter similar to the one mention above from Cindy stating that I approve these competencies. Basically I am co-signing them as the technical consultant since in CA like Don mentioned this person has to be licensed to perform high complexity testing.