September 28, 2021 | By Shannon DeConda, CPC, CEMC, CEMA, CPMA, CRTT
The mechanics of auditing can, of course, be acquired through a training course; but then when you find yourself in certain audit roles, you may recognize the lack of experience within skills briefly mentioned during that training. So, how do you work to develop those skills? Elbow grease- meaning practice!
The scope of an audit is knowing the purpose of the audit: what will be audited, who will be audited, and when the audit will be completed. Part of developing an audit is also being able to properly develop a sample and remembering that it does not HAVE to be statistically valid. After the actual audit is complete, written communication in the form of technical writing is a commanding focal point of the process, as it becomes the leave behind to the provider to reference. How good is your written communication? Last is your ability to verbally communicate those same findings to ensure that the core components are provided for compliance improvement but in an efficient, empathetic, and authoritative manner.
Each of these are the keys to a successful audit, and we invite you to learn to master these skills for your career development at the upcoming NAMAS 13th Annual Auditing & Compliance Conference. Here, I will be hosting a live, interactive pre-conference track where we will have hands-on practice sessions working to fine-tune our skills in each of these areas. Click here to view a sample of the agenda for this session.
