Competency assessment is the process of evaluating job performance to determine and document that competency exists for an employee in a specific job. Competency assessment of testing personnel is not equivalent to training and personnel evaluation. The process of assessment of competency may be incorporated into the performance evaluation process but does not replace and is exclusive from performance evaluation.
Assessment of competency is also not new employee orientation. New employee orientation includes basic facility and department operating procedures exclusive of the testing environment. The assessment process should include all test methods and job-specific skills that are performed in the testing environment. Technical orientation and training for all laboratory methods and processes are documented as initial training with documentation of successful training that results in competent test performance prior to performing patient testing.
For employees performing laboratory testing, whether in the main laboratory or at the bedside (POCT), the competency assessment process is used in practice to ensure and document that the laboratory personnel are fulfilling the requirements of the job. POCT may be waived or non-waived. Competency assessment of laboratory employees is required by federal regulations for non-waived testing, but not for waived testing. However, competency assessment of some or all waived testing is required by some accrediting agencies, as well as in some state-specific regulations. The inclusion of competency assessment for waived testing should be included as good laboratory practice.
