Surveyor certification and recertification
Overview
RAAQH offers a surveyor certification program that equips individuals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct accurate and thorough assessments of healthcare facilities. The program includes a general overview of the accreditation system and prepares new surveyors for their specific roles and responsibilities.
Through the guidance and support of preceptors, surveyors gain experience in carrying out their duties. The program culminates in a written test, and successful completion leads to certification. The program aims to ensure that surveyors acquire the competencies required to carry out standard assessment processes effectively.
Course Offerings
The surveyor training program consists of the following:
Theoretical Component:
- Seven modules offered online or in a classroom setting
- Information on accreditation program, policies and procedures, standards, and the assessment process
- Interactive and participative sessions covering:
- Orientation to the course and accreditation program
- Introduction to the standards and the accreditation program
- Surveyor job expectations, professional demeanor and ethics
- Introduction to quality improvement framework and methods
- Interpretation of the accreditation standards
- The survey process and standard assessment methodology
- Communication skills such as giving and receiving feedback and interviewing techniques, and report writing
Practical Component:
- Facilitated by expert surveyors
- Participative teaching activities
- Use of case studies
- Enables trainees to practice quality methods and communication skills
The course is designed to build skills in alignment with core competencies for accreditation surveyors and to promote transfer of learning to the organizational setting.
Course Modules
The curriculum has been designed based on identification of participant needs and thus, instructors will use the course materials as presented in this manual. Suggestions for improving the teaching sessions are welcome; however, any variance from the planned curriculum needs to be discussed with the Accreditation Manager prior to the session.
Each module of the course includes the following:
- Agenda
- Instructor’s guide
- PowerPoint presentation
- Webinar
- Handout materials
- Session evaluation
Certification Process
The certification process for becoming a fully qualified surveyor involves several requirements, which include:
- Self-study of the accreditation standards, scoring methodology, and survey process.
- Completion of the didactic course on the standards, survey process, and scoring.
- Successful completion of the theoretical test.
- Successful completion of the practical training required by the certification course.
Once these requirements are met, the Rwanda Agency for Accreditation and Quality Healthcare Board will grant certification as a fully qualified surveyor. The certification process is necessary to ensure the credibility of the surveyors and maintain the quality of the accreditation process.
Certification Criteria
To be eligible for surveyor certification from the Board of RAAQH, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Completion of Training Requirements
- Self-study of the accreditation standards, the scoring methodology, and the survey process
- Completion of the didactic course on the standards, survey process, and scoring
- Successfully complete the theoretical test
- Successfully complete the practical training as required by the certification course
Endorsement and Recommendation
Obtain the endorsement and recommendation of the supervising experienced surveyor. The supervising experienced surveyor must have worked with the candidate during their preceptor program and assessed their competence and readiness for certification.
Final Approval from Board:
Have final approval of the Board of RAAQH. The Board will review the candidate’s training record, practical experience, and endorsement and recommendation from the supervising experienced surveyor to make a final determination on certification.
Once all three criteria have been met, the candidate will be granted surveyor certification from the Board of RAAQH. This certification will demonstrate their ability and competence to conduct accreditation surveys in Rwanda.