Competency assessment is one of the most common cited and repeated deficiencies across federal, state and accreditation lab surveys. Competency assessment is often confused with other personnel management activities including training and performance evaluation. In this session, regulatory competency assessment requirements will be reviewed including how it differs from other personnel management activities. Approaches for assessing and documenting competency for cytotechnologists, cytopreparatory staff, non-technical cytology staff (ex. accessioners) and cytology supervisory staff will be discussed including resources for competency development. The session includes an interactive discussion soliciting experiences and best practices from speakers and attending participants.

Learning Objectives: 

• Review competency regulatory requirements.
• Discuss the differences between training, competency, performance evaluation and performance measures used to establish CT workload limit.
• Generate discussion and provide examples for documenting competency of CTs, cytoprep techs and cytology supervisory staff.
• Highlight resources available for competency development .
• Review competency regulatory requirements.