Two Mobile Screening staff members travelled to the United States to learn from one of the world’s foremost spirometry experts.
Mobile Screening Spirometry Division Manager Sandy Ridings and Field Consultant Janis Ross attended the Interpretation of Spirometry: Beyond the Numbers workshop conducted by the University of Cincinnati Associate Professor Emeritus Roy McKay.
The workshop for advanced spirometry professionals provided Sandy and Janis with training in the interpretation of workplace spirometry results, building on their existing expertise.
Sandy is a registered nurse with responsibility for Mobile Screening’s spirometry quality assurance and reporting, while Janis has 30 years’ experience in workplace health screening.
Sandy said the course confirmed the quality of the spirometry work they were undertaking across Australia for Mobile Screening and had the potential to add even greater value for clients beyond services available elsewhere.
“The workshop enabled us to develop our accuracy and feel confident in the high quality of our spirometry interpretations,” Sandy said.
The workshop complemented the training and extensive on-the-job skills Sandy and Janis had gained in Australia.
As a field consultant, Janis’ training meets the rigorous standards required by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Standards for Spirometry Training Courses for the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme and Coal Services.
The experience not only confirmed the spirometry technicians’ skills but also enabled Sandy and Janis to compare longitudinal data from workplaces to provide a clearer understanding of workers’ respiratory health.
They will also draw on the skills developed in the US to further develop other members of the Mobile Screening spirometry testing team. “We can share the information that we gained with our field staff so that they continue to perform at a high level, rather than depending on the software which can be misleading and some providers rely on,” Sandy said.
“The workshop really consolidated what we’ve been doing, and we have confidence that we are offering the best service possible.”
Mobile Screening Director Simon Holt says the professional development opportunity was part of Mobile Screening’s commitment to providing a first-class workplace spirometry service to businesses and organisations across Australia.
“We were pleased to further build the skills of our staff with this international professional development opportunity,” Mr Holt said.
“It is part of Mobile Screening’s commitment to ensuring our staff, no matter their level, are not just equipped to complete their job, but deliver our services to the highest standard, whether it’s spirometry, skin checks, hearing tests or any other service we deliver.”
