Inspectors are the backbone of JACIE; without them, there is no certification process. Becoming an inspector is a wonderful way to contribute to maintaining global quality standards. As the number of JACIE applications has increased, we are constantly looking for new inspectors to join our ranks. At the moment, we are particularly keen to hear of German, French and Spanish speaking Clinicians and Quality Managers.
Each month, you will have the opportunity to meet with one of our JACIE Inspector who will share his/her experience.
Read our interview with Lea Brandt Kristensen.
Introduce yourself and your role(s) and position(s) within EBMT and outside of EBMT
My name is Lea Brandt Kristensen. I have been a JACIE inspector for Quality Management since 2016 and an active inspector since 2018. I am involved in JACIE and EBMT as a reviewer of the 9th Edition of the JACIE Standards and I am a member of the JACIE Quality Managers Committee. I have also collaborated in the training of new inspectors as a speaker at the training course and as a supervisor for Quality Manager Trainees during several inspections.
I am originally a Registered Nurse and have been involved in quality management in the health system since 2009. I have supplemented my education with both diploma education and a Master’s in Public Management and Quality. Since 2013 I have worked as JACIE Quality Manager and Data Manager at the Adult Stem Cell Transplant unit at the Department of Haematology at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark.
Why did you decide to become a JACIE inspector?
I was introduced to JACIE standards and accreditation when I started in the position as Quality Manager at the Stem Cell Transplantation Unit.
In 2014, as part of the preparations for the first accreditation at the unit, it was an option to join the JACIE Inspector Course, even though Quality Managers did not participate as inspectors. In 2016 QM inspectors were introduced and I applied to become an inspector as an opportunity to keep updated with the standards and to learn different perspectives on the standards in practice.
What has been the most memorable inspection that you have ever done?
Every inspection is memorable and a unique experience. Participating in inspections is a learning process both professionally and personally. At inspections you meet your fellow inspectors at dinner the evening before the inspection. You talk and prepare for a couple of hours and the next morning you arrive as a team at the hospital. The team spirit and the professionalism of the other inspectors always make a great impression on me and contribute to keeping me motivated. After several years as an inspector I now regularly have the advantage of performing inspections with fellow colleagues from former inspection teams.
What ‘keys to successful JACIE certification’ can you share with us?
As a QM Inspector, I believe the key to a successful JACIE certification is preparation – both as an inspector and as a centre.
As an inspector you need to be well prepared. Always try to prepare ahead of the inspection. Complete as much of the checklist as possible and ask for the missing documents before the inspection. Being well prepared helps you during the inspection to focus on understanding the pattern of the programme, to keep to the time schedule and to ask relevant questions.
The certification process is a long-term team effort including all staff. The preparation involves more or less all staff, but definitely the Quality Manager. For a centre the preparation process is stressful and extremely hard work. As a QM I know this from my own centre and being a JACIE inspector is definitely not about ticking boxes or finding mistakes, but about helping centres to show the best version of themselves. I put effort into being open and try to make the atmosphere comfortable and sharing, instead of giving the centres the feeling of an exam.
I believe the JACIE standard and certification have an important impact in gaining quality and helping centres to constantly improve their services.
How has your career/work benefited from being a JACIE inspector?
Several years of being an inspector have made me the one everyone asks JACIE questions at my unit. My experience in the JACIE standards and certification process is an enormous help for my centre in the ongoing certification process, also when the department is involved in other certification processes than JACIE.
Besides that, every centre that I inspect always shows me some new ideas in how to translate the standards into practice. After an inspection I feel inspired to adapt improvements to the Quality Management System at my unit. Being a JACIE inspector has helped me grow professionally. My perspective has broadened, I have gained competencies to reflect on the practices in my centre and it has helped me to build a strong network of like-minded colleagues.
Do you have any tips or advice for anyone who aspires to become a JACIE Inspector?
My advice is to apply to become a JACIE inspector if you have the skills, experience, time and interest. Check out the dates for the next JACIE inspector course and join.
In the beginning you need to invest more time to become familiar with the processes and systems, but you will not be alone – your first inspection is performed as a trainee and you can observe and get the impression of how to prepare and perform an inspection. After your first inspection you still keep learning from the other inspectors because of the team spirit.
To summarise, as an inspector I have learnt so much about JACIE and myself while meeting fantastic people.