SPECIALIST PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT

A Personal Perspective

Linda KaneSenior Specialist Biomedical ScientistImmunocytochemistryPathology DepartmentSouthern General HospitalGlasgow

PREPARATION

• When making arrangements with the Training Officer I check that there is only one lever arch folder

• I also request a copy of the signed statement by the Laboratory Manager in advance

• Having a preview of the candidates scope of practice helps with preparing appropriate questions beforehand

• I inform the Training Officer of my travel arrangements and approximate arrival time

MEETING THE CANDIDATE

• Not the imageI want to putacross

• They will be nervous so I try to put them at ease

FORMAT OF ASSESSMENTFORMAT OF ASSESSMENT

PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

• 15 – 20 minute PowerPoint presentation followed by questions

• Time is a standard to be met

• I explain before the candidate starts the presentation that I will be taking notes

• I use them as reminders of points that I want to ask questions about

PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

• Better ones personaliseBetter ones personalise• Enthusiasm comes throughEnthusiasm comes through• Gives rise to questions Gives rise to questions • Very often get more relaxed flow of Very often get more relaxed flow of

information from a question or two at endinformation from a question or two at end

• Give the candidate some reassurance that Give the candidate some reassurance that presentation was okpresentation was ok

KEEPING A RECORD

• Once candidate leaves I record any comments on the Presentation before going to the next step – the Portfolio

PORTFOLIO VERIFICATIONPORTFOLIO VERIFICATION• This is a verification similar to Registration This is a verification similar to Registration

PortfolioPortfolio• Essentially an auditor to review evidence Essentially an auditor to review evidence

and confirm that evidence meets IBMS and confirm that evidence meets IBMS portfolio standardsportfolio standards

• Assessor is checking that all relevant Assessor is checking that all relevant material is present and appropriately signed material is present and appropriately signed offoff

• I do the checklist first then pay more I do the checklist first then pay more attention to the contentattention to the content

• Should take 1 hourShould take 1 hour• I record any comments before embarking on I record any comments before embarking on

the laboratory tourthe laboratory tour• I use portfolio content to supplement I use portfolio content to supplement

questions for laboratory tourquestions for laboratory tour

LABORATORY TOURLABORATORY TOUR

Approx 1 hourApprox 1 hour I ask questions relating to all aspects of I ask questions relating to all aspects of

techniques, equipment, quality, H & Stechniques, equipment, quality, H & S I take a notebook with me as a prompt and I take a notebook with me as a prompt and

explain to the candidate that I use it as a explain to the candidate that I use it as a reminderreminder

This is the candidate’s opportunity to This is the candidate’s opportunity to demonstrate what they do and what they demonstrate what they do and what they knowknow

LABORATORY TOURLABORATORY TOUR

Candidates tend to find this most nerve-Candidates tend to find this most nerve-wracking partwracking part

Encouragement and prompting can help Encouragement and prompting can help

ASSESSMENT: OUTCOMEASSESSMENT: OUTCOME

• I tend to give the candidate my I tend to give the candidate my recommendation before going into feedbackrecommendation before going into feedback

• I don’t prolong the agonyI don’t prolong the agony

• I explain how long I have to submit the I explain how long I have to submit the report and that the certificate will be sent report and that the certificate will be sent out by the IBMSout by the IBMS

ASSESSMENT: FEEDBACKASSESSMENT: FEEDBACK

• We are also there to confirm that We are also there to confirm that the candidate receives sufficient the candidate receives sufficient resources and support to enable resources and support to enable them to meet the requirements of them to meet the requirements of the portfoliothe portfolio

• Any concerns should be addressed Any concerns should be addressed constructivelyconstructively

REPORT

• As soon as possible after the assessment

• Still fresh in my mind

CHALLENGES• 2 Assessments in 1 day• Concentration

• Time management

PRO’s and CON’s

CON’s• Time-consuming• Rely on good will of laboratory

manager • Travel

PRO’s and CON’s

PRO’s• Rewarding• CPD• KSF• Visit other laboratories• See different approaches• Share knowledge

Any Questions?