Education nation: create core competencies.

NATIONAL competency-based educational tests; CONTINUING education units; DOCUMENTATION; HOSPITAL central service departments; PROFESSIONAL competence; STERILIZATION (Disinfection); PATIENT safety

The article presents a self-study lesson and examination about creating core competencies. Topics discussed include the meaning of competency and how technical application is measured against quality expectations, the responsibility of sterile processing professionals to assess department processes and proficiencies, and identification of when remediation is necessary and which evaluation categories can be used to create a remediation plan.