Surveyor Training and Orientation

In order to have an effective peer review model of accreditation, surveyors must be recruited, trained, and continuously provided with development opportunities. The DAP has developed a training and orientation program that all DAP surveyors must complete prior to survey.

The training and orientation program starts with pre-reading of a surveyor training package and attendance at an orientation session provided by DAP staff at the DAP offices. During the orientation session the surveyor will learn about:

1. Principles of quality improvement, accreditation quality framework, assessment, and philosophy.

2. Accreditation Methodology:

• Understanding tracer methodology for assessing diagnostic services.
• Understanding how to use proficiency data in assessment.
• Accreditation recommendations and decisions. 

3. Understanding and applying accreditation survey protocols:

• Interpreting the protocols, standards, and criteria.
• Understanding the roles of the survey team.
• Recording observations and applying rating scales.
• Evaluating the evidence – what is evidence?
• Communicating and sharing “best practice”.

Continuous Development

As part of the surveyor development process, the surveyed facility/service will be asked to complete a Surveyor Evaluation form for each surveyor that conducted the On-site Survey. This information will be shared with the surveyor for the purposes of education and continuous development. At the conclusion of an On-site Survey, the DAP also asks each surveyor to evaluate the effectiveness of the just-in-time surveyor orientation and training they received. This information is used by the DAP to continuously improve these sessions to better support surveyors and their information needs.