Having a training program is crucial and foundational to the success of Environmental Health Technicians’ (EHT) ability to effectively conduct uniform inspections. The CHFS training program is based on competencies outlined in our EHT Training Manual. Our training program consists of pre-inspection curriculum, joint field inspection training, and independent inspections. The pre-inspection curriculum modules are comprised of PowerPoint presentations, and review of documents intended to help trainees comprehend, interpret, and apply federal, state, and local regulations as well as division policies and procedures. Joint field inspections are conducted at public and semi-public aquatic facilities; an average of 3 joint inspections are conducted altogether between a trainer and trainee. Trainers lead a variety of inspections within the same category, thereafter trainees lead under the oversight of a trainer. Trainees are provided with written feedback after every inspection they lead, intended to result in enhanced performance on subsequent inspections. Likewise, trainee input is collected on a weekly basis. Once competency is demonstrated in each given risk category, trainees move onto the next category. After joint field inspection training is complete, the Environmental Health Supervisor conducts a final evaluation of the trainee to sign off on their Training Plan and Log.
At the beginning of 2023, CHFS implemented the Non-Food Uniform Inspection Program Policy and Procedure to promote uniformity among EHT staff in the interpretation of the Pima County Code 8.32, and Arizona Administrative Code Title 18 Chapter 5 Article 2, and the application of these rules and the use of compliance and enforcement procedures required for the regulation of non-food establishments. This procedure requires that all field staff conducting routine inspections complete 4 assessments per year, 2 during a routine inspection and 2 during a complaint investigation. The Uniform Inspection Program assures that each inspector meets specific requirements during their Pre-Inspection activities, Inspection Assessment, Report Writing Assessment, Inspection Follow-Ups, and Post-Inspection documentation.
During the inspection, an EHT’s supervisor will observe and evaluate the inspector using the items the CHFS program has identified as required competencies. At the end of the assessment, the supervisor calculates the competencies demonstrated to ensure they meet a minimum of 75% competency. Currently, there have not been any staff members that did not meet the minimum competency during their assessment. After each assessment cycle, a data analysis is conducted. When competencies were missed by more than one person, a refresher training was conducted during a staff meeting to remind staff of the uniform practice for addressing the competency.
Lauren Dinauer is an REHS/RS with the Consumer Health & Safety Division of the Pima County Health Department and is currently working as a program manager. She was previously a speaker at the CDC’s InFORM virtual conference in 2022 and has been a speaker on foodborne illness outbreaks at NEHA’s AEC, ADHS Foodborne Illness Taskforce, and the AZ Sanitarians Council regarding sampling techniques and environmental sampling. Lauren was recently awarded the Jacob Joseph Corby Achievement Award from AFDO as a result of her team’s successful identification of a major outbreak source and successful remediation at a facility with 44% surface contamination. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Art in English Composition from the University of Arizona. She recently served as a voting member of Council III at the Conference for Food Protection in 2023 and is currently serving on CFP Committees and subcommittees in addition to serving on multiple national foodborne illness work groups.