Meet Training Requirements with PTs
Added value from PT expenditures

Article written by Michael Haller, Advantage Tools Lead Developer, Analytical Products Group

Training Requirements Overview
All NELAC and many non-NELAC labs must maintain training records for all personnel who manage, perform or verify work affecting the quality of the environmental tests. Maintaining these records can be a daunting process. NELAC laboratories must manage the following requirements:

1. The laboratory shall maintain current job descriptions for all personnel who manage, perform or verify work affecting the quality of the environmental tests. (NELAC Section 5.5.2.4)
2. The records of competence, educational and professional qualifications, training, skills and experience of all technical personnel are readily available and include the date on which authorization and/or competence was confirmed (NELAC Section 5.5.2.5).
3. An analyst training is considered up-to-date if an employee training file contains the following documentation (NELAC Section 5.5.2.6):
   1. Data Integrity & Quality Manual Review - Evidence that each employee has read and understood and is using the latest version of the laboratory’s in-house quality documentation which relates to his/her job responsibilities.
   2. Training courses - Workshops on specific equipment, analytical techniques or laboratory procedures are documented.
   3. Initial/Continuing proficiency - one of the following once per year (options described below).

APG Exclusive – Advantage Training
APG is the only PT provider that gives you the tools to manage these requirements. Additionally, APG is the only PT provider that allows you to make use of your proficiency testing results to meet these requirements. Your required PT purchases can help you meet demonstrations of capability at no additional cost. Retrieval of completed requirements and scheduling of future training are also available at APGQA.com as part of the Advantage Training Tool. Future articles will discuss meeting NELAC Section 5.5.2.4 and NELAC Section 5.5.2.5. This article will focus on the multiple ways that APG helps you meet the initial/continuing demonstrations of capability (also known as demonstrations of proficiency).

Training Samples
NELAC Section 5.5.2.6: An analyst training is considered up-to-date if an employee training file contains an initial measurement system evaluation or another demonstration of capability.
APG provides training samples designed the way you do business. The samples are sent meet your SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and are labeled with your SOP information (name, revision, etc.). The analyst runs the unknown sample and enters the results online into the Advantage Training Tool. The analyst receives immediate results and the status of capability demonstrations is logged in the database for management review. You can learn more about this option at http://www.apgqa.com/training_info.asp.

Proficiency Testing Samples
NELAC Section 5.5.2.6: An analyst training is considered up-to-date if an employee training file contains an Acceptable performance of a blind sample (single blind to the analyst). Test methods using the comparable technology are acceptable.
The proficiency testing samples that your lab runs for certification can be used to meet an analysts training requirements (at no additional cost). APG gives you two ways to use your PT results to meet the demonstration of capability requirement. You can transfer data from previous studies or designate data from a current study to be used for training (available January 2006).

Here is how it works. From the Advantage Training Main Menu, select the “Transfer PT Data” link. Then, select the appropriate SOP and the appropriate analyst. A list of studies with results that meet the selected SOP are displayed. Select the appropriate PT study and import the results. It is as easy as that to meet analyst training requirements.

Quality Control Standards
NELAC Section 5.5.2.6: An analyst training is considered up-to-date if an employee training file contains at least four consecutive laboratory control samples with acceptable level of precision and accuracy.
In the first quarter 2006, APG will give you the ability to use APG Quality Control Standards to meet this option. A future article will discuss this in more detail.

It is important to note that if capability cannot be performed by one of the three options described above, then analysis of authentic samples with results statistically indistinguishable from those obtained by another trained analyst can be used (NELAC Section 5.5.2.6).

Register for a Free Web Seminar
APG invites you to enroll in one of our free web seminars to see how Advantage Training can simplify the management of your NELAC training requirements.

Footnote:
At the time of printing this article, the 2003 NELAC Standard is the current standard effective July 2005. No revisions of the the NELAC Standard are pending however the NELAC Website should be referenced for the current, controlled copy of the Standard.