Who’s doing it and how?

Results of a 1999 Competency Assessment Survey

Questions and Answers

(35 participants)

Do you have written job descriptions?

            YES: 100%

NO: 0%

Does your training program include a specific schedule of skills/tasks for trainees to accomplish?

            YES: 89%

NO: 11%

At the completion of training are employees provided with evidence of proficiency?

            YES: 91%

NO: 9%

Do you have a written policy and procedure for addressing periodic competency assessment in microbiology?

            YES: 94%

NO: 6%

Is the policy specific for each of the subspecialty areas?

            YES: 54%

NO: 46%

Which of the following best describes the basis for selection of a test/task included in your competency assessment program? (choose one)

            A. any test/task performed       

55%

            B. any highly complex test/task 

10%

C. any high volume test/task

5%

            D. any problem prone test/task

17 %

Please indicate on a scale of 0 to 4 (0 = no role, 4 = major role) the relative role of each of the following methods in your competency assessment protocol:

A. Direct observation   

B. Performance on external proficiency samples           

   0         3%  

   0         6%

   1          6%

   2        29%

   3        26%

   4        34%

C. Performance on  internal blind samples

D. Performance on written tests

   0        45%

   0        34%

   1        15%

   1        14%

   2          9%

   2        11%

   3          9%

   3          9%

   4        21%

   4        31%

E. Evaluation of problem solving skills

F. Review of intermediate and final test results

   0         9%

   0         9%

   1          20%

   1          3%

   2          23%

   2          9%

   3          31%

   3          31%

   4         17%

   4          49%

G. Review of QC and instrument PM records

   1         11%

   2          20%

   3          26%

   4          31%

Are competency results included in employee annual performance review?

            YES: 68%

NO: 32%

Does competency performance affect decisions related to financial compensation such as merit raises?

Within the last five years has the scope of your laboratory’s competency assessment program:

            A. Expanded? 

68%

            B. Contracted?

9%

C. Remained the same?

24%

Do you feel that your competency assessment program has an impact (either positive or negative) on staff performance and the quality of service your laboratory provides?

A. Positive impact        

62%

B. Negative impact

6%

C. No impact  

31%

WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2002 COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT SURVEY?

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