Competency Assessment for Point-of-Care Testing
Continuing Education Credits
This course is intended to discuss the application of competency assessment for point-of-care testing (POCT). Personnel roles and requirements within the POCT competency assessment program are included, as well as guidelines for assessment, tools appropriate for use with POCT methods, and possible corrective actions for failed POCT competency assessment.
Objectives
- Define competency assessment for point-of-care testing (POCT).
- Outline guidelines for competency assessment as applied to POCT.
- Describe competency assessment tools appropriate for use with specific POCT methods.
- Outline specific parameters to be included in the competency assessment program for employees performing POCT.
- Specify personnel roles and competency assessment requirements for each POCT position.
- Discuss possible corrective actions for failed POCT competency assessment.
Course Outline
- Definition of Competency Assessment
- Defining Competency
- Which statement is true, based on the definition of competency?
- True or False: Competency assessment must incorporate the level at which a job skill must be performed to arrive at competence.
- Competency Testing as Applied to POCT
- General Considerations for Competency Assessment of POCT
- A supervisor is structuring a competency assessment program for an outreach POCT program. The POCT program is comprehensive and includes both kits and hand-held instrumentation. Which of the following demonstrates a well-structured competency assessment process?
- Guidelines for Competency Testing
- True or False: A competency assessment evaluation would include the assessment of initiative and work ethic.
- True or False: It is optional to include a procedure for competency assessment of the staff in the laboratory's standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Six Evaluation Types to be Included in the Competency Assessment Plan for POCT
- Match a task to a method that can be used to assess competency for each of these required CLIA evaluation elements.
- Determining the root cause of a problem is included as a part of the competency assessment evaluation in the intensive care unit (ICU) for POCT staff. Which of the six evaluation types would determining a root cause provide an appropriate evaluation?
- Competency Assessment Tools Appropriate for POCT
- Competency Assessment Tools
- For each employee in the laboratory, the staff education coordinator reviewed final proficiency testing results compared to the expected results. For which of the following assessments would an evaluator use this tool?
- Match the correct evaluation type with an appropriate tool.
- Testing Schedule for Persons Performing POCT
- Competency Assessment Activities to be Included in POCT
- The education coordinator for the hospital is required to develop competency assessment activities for the POCT providers in the emergency department. What document may serve as a guideline for specific steps to be included in the assessments?
- Prior recorded documents play a role in competency assessment. For an assessment of the completion of test reports, the inclusion of which of the following pieces of information must be documented on the patient report?
- Proper handling of test kits should be included as a part of the competency assessment process for testing personnel. Which of the following would be an appropriate activity to assess the handling of testing materials?
- Competency Assessment Frequency
- The competency program for non-waived testing includes specified intervals for assessment. Which statement does not meet one of the CLIA requirements for frequency of competency assessment?
- Documentation for Competency Assessment of POCT
- True or False: A competency assessment should include a statement of competency from either the employee or the assessor.
- Personnel to be Assessed and Persons who can Perform the Assessment
- Qualified Personnel to Perform POCT Competency Assessment
- The emergency department is staffed with personnel who are not qualified as technical consultants. The POCT coordinator is working to set up a competency assessment program. One section of the assessment is a peer observation of performing kit testing. Which of the following statements is true?
- Personnel to be Assessed
- The POCT coordinator for a hospital also serves as the technical consultant. Which statement regarding their involvement in competency assessment is correct?
- Corrective Action for Failed Competency Assessment
- Corrective Action for Failed Competency Assessment
- Put the steps of remediation for failed competency in order.
- A competency assessment has been completed using previously used proficiency testing. The policy indicates a minimum of 80% accuracy to demonstrate competency. Employee A had a result of 65%. What is the first step being taken in the remediation process?
- References
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Sheryl A. Whitlock, MA.Ed, MLS(ASCP)BB, is the owner of ARK Laboratory Consulting, LLC, and works as a technical consultant for various laboratories. Sheryl served as the laboratory coordinator for the Student Health Services Laboratory at the University of Delaware for 15 years. Sheryl received her Master’s degree in Education from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. She has more than 35 years of experience in laboratory science, including management, education, and hands-on bench experience. She has written and published textbooks and laboratory manuals, as well as contributed to numerous online and print articles in the field of laboratory medicine.
The author has no
conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information:
Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is
a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science
from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction
from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher
education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and
MLS programs.
Cynthia Clawson, MBA, MLS(ASCP), HCA, received her Master's degree from Wilmington College in Wilmington, Delaware, and a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Maryland. She began her career as a bench technologist at the Kent and Queen Anne’s Hospital in Chestertown, Maryland. Recently, she is a Clinical Specialist for point-of-care testing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance at the same facility, now called University of Maryland Shore Regional Health at Chestertown.
Course Description: This course is intended to discuss the application of competency assessment for point-of-care testing (POCT). Personnel roles and requirements within the POCT competency assessment program are included, as well as guidelines for assessment and tools appropriate for use with POCT methods.