Sample-collection personnel recertification training
HISTORY
OOCTOBER 28-29, 2013, the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) visited the office of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) to review and provide a status update of the commission’s operational framework and made recommendations to improve the anti-doping programme.
As a result of the visit, WADA outlined a number of key observations and recommendations in a report to the Government of Jamaica and the JADCO. These recommendations were acted upon immediately. One such recommendation was to recruit and train new sample collection personnel for the sample-collection procedure.
This resulted in JADCO partnering with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, which provided the commission with the necessary training for its sample-collection personnel and Train the Trainer Programme. The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport brought a high level of anti-doping knowledge and expertise, which played a crucial role in improving our operational framework and anti-doping programme. The JADCO was able to increase its sample-collection personnel and gain tremendous knowledge and experience in: n developing job descriptions, conducting needs assessments, interviewing potential candidates for sample-collection positions, developing training resources, and
delivering training and preparing training plans.
The partnership was funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The overall result of the project was that the Jamaica Anti-Doping Programme satisfied the requirements of the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code and mandatory international standards. RECERTIFICATION PROGRAMME
Since then, JADCO has adopted a mandatory recertification exercise for all its sample-collection personnel. The recertification exercise is conducted biennially, and the last recertification exercise was done on November 30, December 1, and December 2, 2018. All sample-collection personnel, whether experienced or new, were trained/retrained and certified in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and international standards. These include the doping-control officers, chaperones and blood-collection officers.
The training plan for the position of doping-control officer includes completion of the following:
• Theoretical training on the sample- collection procedure for urine and blood,
• Training in customer service and leadership,
• Practical sessions under observation during training,
• Final examination with a pass mark of 80 per cent, and
• Observation and evaluation of sample-collection sessions in or out of competition under the guidance of a certified dopingcontrol officer and JADCO technical staff.
Feedback is recorded on the doping-control officer’s performance, and further follow-up and/or training is provided to the doping-control officer as required. Once all steps meet the JADCO criteria, the doping-control officer will receive certification.
Technical manuals are also developed and distributed to doping-control officers, bloodcollection officers and chaperones. These manuals focus on technical procedures as it relates to athlete notification and sample collection in compliance with the updated WADA 2017 International Standard for Testing and Investigations. The manuals also outline the roles of individuals involved in sample collection, how to prepare for in-competition versus outof-competition testing, and best practices.
The Government of Jamaica, athletes and athlete-support personnel in Jamaica can be assured that the sample-collection procedures and processes are conducted according to the 2015 WADA Code and the 2017 International Standard for Testing and Investigations, which is now in force.
International federations and major event organisers who contract the services of the JADCO can be assured that sample collection is conducted according to the 2015 Code and 2017 International Standards.
JADCO ensures that Jamaican athletes are held to the same standards and level of accountability as athletes across the world and that the rights of athletes are protected during the sample-collection process. With that in mind, international federations and other major event organisers can confidently contract the services of the JADCO to collect urine and blood samples in Jamaica on their behalf. Currently, we receive frequent requests for this activity.