Hi Chaps,

It occurs to me that having spent numerous years servicing & repairing critical medical devices, no one has ever formally asked me or checked if I know what I am doing!

Obviously interviews are necessary in order to get a job and qualifications applicable to the field support an individual’s knowledge but, in the ever developing nature of our work how can we be sure we are up to speed with current tech and that trainees are receiving adequate & accurate support/information?

I'd like to hear any opinions/ideas on how one could 'measure' (Qualitatively) the results of training an individual/department may have received, be it from external training or by spending a period of time 'shadowing' a more experience tech.

Your comments are appreciated.

Incidentally, I do know what I’m doing (at least that’s my opinion!)

Thanks.

No one ever challenged you ... because you had that air of confidence and competence about you, Robert!

But yes - being judged by one's peers is probably the most ... er, illuminating!

Hi Rob,

Qualititative measures can never 'prove' that someone is competent, but you could quantatively compare the performance of one qualified person against a group of qualified professionals using asset tracking data.

... or better yet (and as Robert has already alluded to), and far cheaper still, let one of the Old Sweats spend a couple of hours with the tech in question.

Thanks John,

Sounds interesting, could you ellaborate a little regarding 'asset tracking data'?


Thanks,

Dare I mention professional registration (e.g. VRCT) where you have to keep a portfolio of your activities and how you are keeping yourself up to date and expanding your knowledge? This is then inspected - albeit at random - to make sure you are maintaining competency.
Head back down before the flack starts flying.
RoJo

On the other hand, I suppose you could always "maintain competency" by simply carrying on doing your job. That is, by being competent.

"Portfolio of your activities"? What's that? Do you mean your time-sheet?

I think John means a check on who is doing (has done) the actual work (eg, by checking whose initials appear most often in equipment histories, job reports etc.).

Either that or he his advocating the RFID tagging of all his techs (you know, to see who spends the most time in the coffee shop, chatting up the nurses, or otherwise "standing still")!

There's some guidance in DB2006(05)Managing Medical Devices. Section 8.1.1 recommends random audits be carried out to verify correct repair and maintenance procedures are being adhered to.Also, section 8.3.1 gives guidance regarding training and experience of staff.

Dinosaurs probably carried on what they doing right upto the moment they sunk into the tar pit!

These days there is the need keep up with your training and CPD otherwise you may find you've become the Dinosaur.

I take it he means similar to the lines as preparing for Engineering registration and not VRCT, a time sheet just shows you've turned up.

Although before I worked in the NHS the company I use to work for used job codes. There was codes for user abuse, bad workmanship, warranty failure, and various other reasons for failure. Along with tracking the number of times an item was returned in a year, competency and training issues could be identified in both staff and customers.