Certifiable: Flexible Endoscope Reprocessors

During these times of healthcare reform and changing healthcare systems, it is important that, as professionals, we are able to demonstrate our ability and competency to our peers and the public. There are competency-based certification programs for many professions — including healthcare. Until now, certification for flexible endoscope reprocessors was not available, but this all changed in October 2006 when the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD) embarked on a certification program for individuals who process flexible endoscopes.

The CBSPD is an independent certification board and the only sterile processing certification program that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Despite already offering five levels of certification for processing personnel — technician, supervisor, manager, surgical instrument processor and ambulatory surgery processing technician — the CBSPD identified a need for this new, more specific credential.

Flexible endoscopes are expensive pieces of equipment, and due to their complex design, create unique challenges for cleaning.

Manufacturers of flexible endoscopes provide detailed information on proper processing of their equipment. However, processing failures that do occur usually are attributed to failure to follow those directions.

From 2006 until December 2007, the CBSPD worked closely with flexible endoscope reprocessors who had extensive expertise in the profession to develop the job analysis survey and examination questions. The first week in February 2008, the inaugural examination was administered.

All CBSPD certification examinations are computer-based. Test administration is performed by a professional testing agency with over 1,500 testing sites nationwide. In addition, the CBSPD offers paper/pencil exams at over 15 international sites including Mexico, Peru, Colombia, India, Pakistan, Guam, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, Canada, South Africa, Thailand and New Zealand.

The exams are offered during testing “windows” of one week’s time. This gives the candidates more flexibility and convenience in selecting a testing date and time. The testing “windows” are the first full week of the months of February, May, August and November.

During the summer of 2007, a job analysis survey was conducted by a psychometric agency contracted by the CBSPD. Specific knowledge and skills were identified by a focus group and then distributed for flexible endoscope reprocessors all over the country to respond. The data collected was tabulated and resulted in the test specifications for the exam.