Ex 103 - IRCA CERTIFIED QMS LEAD AUDITOR COURSE (With specific reference to ISO/IEC 17025:2005)

Overview

This FIVE-DAY course is designed to provide an understanding and knowledge of auditing techniques against the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. The objective of an audit is not fault finding, but to identify opportunities for improvement. You learn to build on the skills of how to plan, structure and conduct an effective audit and to evaluate and communicate the findings. The course is designed to follow the stages in a live audit, including simulated audit interviews and role play closing meetings.

This course is IATCA compliant, certified by IRCA (UK) and meets the training requirements only for individuals seeking registration as a Lead Auditor under the IRCA Auditor Registration Scheme. The requirements include an examination and a certificate is issued on completion of the course.

Key Session Topics

• Background and overview of the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements
  
• An introduction to auditing and implementing an audit system and the auditor's role in the process
  
• Management's role in reviewing the effectiveness of the overall quality system
  
• Planning and managing the audit:
  - resources and timing
  - use of checklists
  - selection of audit teams
  
• Conducting the audit - skills, techniques and auditor competence:
  - evaluating the significance of audit findings
  - communicating and presenting audit reports
  
• Developing and implementing corrective action programmes
• Nonconformities and quality improvement as a result of corrective actions
• Management of the third party assessment and certification process

Benefits

• To objectively assess compliance of laboratories to meet accreditation body requirements.
• An understanding of the role of audits within the management system programme and the role of auditors in promoting laboratory compliance and competency improvements.
• The ability to create a skill set to aid continuous improvement strategies.

Who Should Attend

• Individuals wishing to perform audits to ISO/IEC 17025
  
• Companies seeking ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation
  
• Laboratory Managers and Supervisors
  
• Companies that recognize the value of operating effective laboratory management systems
  
• Existing ISO 9001/QS-9000 auditors who are looking to expand their skills in the area of laboratory practices
  
• Existing ISO 9001/QS-9000 auditors wishing to audit laboratory environments
• Supplier quality auditors wishing to evaluate laboratory service suppliers

Course Techniques

This highly participative course is a practically based series of sessions using tutorials, case studies, interactive workshops, simulated audits and group discussions that will provide you with an understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 and develop practical audit skills.  The course culminates with an examination.  The practical emphasis of the course and the high tutor to attendee contact hours provide a unique opportunity for a substantial degree of individual guidance and training.

A detailed file of reference information is available to keep.

Follow-Up

Participants' subsequent in-house audits can be supervised to give practical on-site training.