TSANZ Laboratory Assessor Training
Have you ever considered joining a panel of colleagues to assess the accreditation application of
one of TSANZ’s 40+ accredited respiratory function laboratories?
The Laboratory Accreditation Committee (LAC) is running a training afternoon for established and
new assessors at the ASM 2017. Meet other interested colleagues and learn about the process and
responsibilities for being appointed as one of our laboratory accreditation assessors. It is not an
onerous task but one which ensures quality in accredited laboratories across Australia and New
Zealand. The latest updates to the TSANZ Accreditation Standards in the July 2016 Program Manual
will be reviewed, together with a discussion of current Hot Topics.
What is it like to be a laboratory accreditation assessor?
Being a laboratory assessor is both very rewarding and challenging. Laboratory Assessors are vitally
important to the success of any accreditation program as they are responsible for assessment of a
laboratory service to the agreed standard without bias. They are the gate-keepers of the standard
and separating “is it meeting the standard?” from “are they doing it the same way I do it?” is a
fundamental part of being an assessor. It is also the assessor’s role to offer advice to the service on
how to improve or perhaps do things differently which may save them time, money or effort. The
role requires a sound knowledge of the standard, an inquisitive mind to find the evidence supporting
the standard, discretion and a reasonable time commitment (preliminary meetings, reading vast
manuals, site visits, post-site visit meetings, report writing, revision feedback and so forth). It can be
challenging to provide negative feedback to a laboratory who is not meeting aspects of the standard
or to debate an issue within the panel, but these are essential parts of the process. Thankfully the
positives far outweigh the difficulties of the role. It provides an impetus (one of many) for you to
keep your own skills and knowledge up to date to ensure you are well versed in the technical or
clinical aspects of what you are assessing. As an assessor you have a unique opportunity to work
with colleagues from different regions both within the panel, at the TSANZ office and in the
laboratory you are assessing that you may otherwise not have been exposed to in your routine
work. This can provide excellent networking and educational opportunities for all involved about
much more than laboratory accreditation. Not only do you have an opportunity to provide
education and/or insight but you also have an opportunity to learn. You get to see how other
laboratories, hospitals, states, have solved problems which may teach you a thing or two about your
own service! Finally and probably the most rewarding aspect of being an assessor is to see a
laboratory benefit from the process to improve their service to their patients and customers,
whether it be from a recommendation for more staff, upgraded equipment, greater support from
the parent organisation or otherwise. To see a service grow from the improvements the process and
your efforts as an assessor have made is very satisfying and to receive thanks from that service for
the change that an independent process can give is even more gratifying. If you have the time and a
keen interest in education and continuous improvement then I would recommend that you apply to
be a Laboratory Assessor.
Dr Sonya Johnston
Principal Medical Scientist, Thoracic Medicine, RAH
Member, Laboratory Accreditation Committee
TSANZ very much appreciates the time and expertise afforded by volunteer assessors, and this
world-class accreditation program could not function without them.
Date: Friday, March 24 2017
Time: 1pm to 5pm
Venue: The Green Room at the National Convention Centre, Canberra
For new assessors - Please email [email protected] for an application form by
Friday, February 24 2017. Applicants must be able to demonstrate minimum of 5 years of experience
working in a respiratory function laboratory in Australia or New Zealand, and a minimum of 2 years’
experience in a TSANZ-accredited laboratory. TSANZ Laboratory Accreditation must have been valid
at the time that you were working there.
For experienced assessors - Please register your attendance via the online registration form or by
emailing [email protected]