Managing an Environmental Laboratory - Five Part Series

SYNOPSIS

The five (5) part course presents several aspects of managing an environmental laboratory that generates data of known and documented quality. Most Laboratory Managers, Technical Directors and Quality Assurance (QA) Managers have learned by doing the job. The science of doing the tests is only part of the process of doing environmental science. Every environmental laboratory manager must learn all aspects of data generation. The laboratory manager and QA manager must not only understand the science but must also understand the regulation. This series provides training to managers.

This five part series (approximately 90 minutes each) is prepared for environmental laboratory managers, owners, and Technical Managers and QA managers.

This training series consists of the five courses listed below.

Part 1: Managing a Lab
Part 2: Hiring and Training Competent Personnel
Part 3: Selecting Methods and Preparing SOPs
Part 4: Buying Services and Equipment
Part 5: Monitoring the Quality of your Data

Part 1: Managing a laboratory
Many laboratory managers have had many years of training learning science. The same laboratory managers have had little to no training on how to manage a laboratory. There are basically several types of management: Reactive, Consultative, Autocratic plus other Styles. This part of the series presents several styles along with processes that may be used by managers to encourage team building and input on scientific matters. The series emphasizes how to lead personnel to perform regulatory science.

Part 2: Hiring and training competent personnel
Hiring personnel with a basic or science education is the first step in obtaining competent personnel. Other elements are required to evaluate the competency of the laboratory staff. The second part of this series will present ways to develop and assure that staff is competent to perform the job(s) assigned. Each person must demonstrate competency for doing the test as well as receiving samples, reviewing reports and reviewing the quality of the data.

Part 3: Selecting methods and preparing SOPs
The manager must have a process for selecting the correct method for the regulatory application. The manager of the laboratory must have a process for method selection and developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) based on the regulatory method. Some regulations require the reference method to be followed exactly and others allow the laboratory to deviate from the reference. The third part of the series presents the process of method selection and writing/reviewing SOPs.

Part 4: Buying services and equipment
The manager must select the proper equipment and service to ensure data of known and documented quality. The process to select vendors of services and equipment must be defined. The vendors must be evaluated prior to the purchase and after the purchase. This part of the series includes managing: purchasing, receiving, installation or inventory control, maintenance, and upgrading of equipment.

Part 5: Monitoring the quality of your data
The manager must have a process to monitor of quality of all data generated by the laboratory. The laboratory staff must have the records to allow historical reconstruction of the results and calibration data. In some laboratories, the manager reviews all the data and signs the report. In other labs the manager signs the report, but does not review the data. Laboratory managers use a variety of techniques to ensure the data is of known and documented quality. The laboratory manager sometimes referred to the technical director is responsible for all data generated, no matter if the director reviews the data or does not review the data. Evaluating the quality of the data is another process that must be managed.

Learning Outcome: The objective of the training is to teach managers about process management and how to manage technical operations using a management system.

Format:
Webcast

About Webcasts: Upon receipt of your payment, you will receive a special link by e-mail to watch the webcast on your computer. The link is time-limited: you will have full access to the webcast and any associated handouts for 6 months after receipt of payment, at which time the link will expire. Webcasts cannot be downloaded; they are intended for viewing on your computer only during the 6-month window. If you have any questions, please contact Ilona Taunton at [email protected].

Length:
8 hours

CEUs: 0.8

Presented By:


Marlene Moore

About the Presenter:
Marlene Moore founded Advanced Systems, Inc. in February 1992 as a consulting company specializing in quality systems for laboratory and sampling operations. She brings together the needs of quality system management, measurement operations and regulatory compliance.

Marlene Moore has worked and managed sampling and testing laboratories for over twenty years before providing her expertise to others. Current work includes assessing for laboratory accreditation programs to ISO/IEC 17025 and assessing to ISO/IEC 17065 for conformity assessment certification programs. Assessments are performed for A2LA, ANAB and ANSI. Additional assessor and auditor training was completed under the EPA Safe Drinking Water Program for State certification laboratory auditors for inorganic, organic and microbiology and as an ISO auditor for ISO 9000. Formerly an RAB ASQ/ANSI registered auditor.