Competency Assessment in Andrology Laboratory

Abstract

A crucial component of quality management is assessment of personnel competency. Obtaining reliable results from the testing personnel in the andrology laboratory, often referred to as “andrologists,” requires attention to hiring, training, and performance evaluation. The perfect fit for an andrology laboratory may not be the most experienced individual but relies on character traits, including teamwork, integrity, confidence, and analytical thinking. Training the new employee begins with instructions covering the laboratory’s policies, chain of command, safety, compliance with regulations, and reliance on standard operating procedures. Approval of the technician to perform patient testing requires observation of trained andrologists, side-by-side testing, practice with semen, and testing under close supervision. Benchmarks of successful training are important in this process. Continuing education throughout a technician’s career will ensure that the knowledge base in the laboratory keeps up with modern methodology. Evaluation of personnel competence begins during training and is continuous throughout the andrologist’s career. Quality control (QC) of technical performance includes intra-laboratory evaluation of inter-technician variation, interlaboratory evaluation to ensure uniform results, and formal performance evaluation with goals for improved performance. This chapter discusses these aspects of personnel competency assessment, giving examples of personnel forms and QC results.