1. I want to recertify and I need to know how to complete my seat check sign offs. What should I do? (rev. March 20, 2013)
2. What if I attend a series of events and can’t finish my seat checks? Can I set up a fake check? (Sept. 28, 2012)
3. If I fail a seat check, does it mean I’m no longer a tech and can't recertify? (Sept. 28, 2012)
4. I am a CPSTI. Do I have to do seat check sign-offs? (Feb. 26, 2010)
5. Are seat checks audited? (Sept. 28, 2012)
6. I live in a remote area and it’s hard to meet with instructors for my seat check sign offs. Could we do a video call? (April 25, 2013)
1. I want to recertify and I need to know how to complete my seat check sign offs. What should I do? (rev. March 20, 2013)
You can locate instructors (or Tech Proxies) using the FIND A TECH search at http://cert.safekids.org. Click on the FIND A TECH button on the right and use the search to find instructors (use Certification Type=Certified Instructor). To search for Technician Proxies, leave certification status blank and check the Tech Proxy box.
In order to complete your seat check sign-offs, an Instructor or Technician Proxy must watch you while working with a parent/caregiver during a seat check. The purpose of the sign-off is to evaluate your CPS technical skills and your ability to teach a parent/caregiver how to properly use and install their child restraint. This observation can be done at an individual appointment, inspection station, or seat check event.
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Before working with the family, you should first, reach out to an Instructor or Technician Proxy. Let him/her know exactly which sign-offs you need for your recertification. This is important when they are planning appointments and managing attendees at a seat check event. Contacting them in advance also gives the Instructor or Tech Proxy a chance to set aside time to thoroughly observe your interactions with the family. Time needs to be set aside because the entire interaction with the parent/caregiver needs to be observed, not just at the end when the participant is preparing to leave.
The Instructor or Technician Proxy has the option to set up a mock (fake) seat check, if a family is not available.Be sure to talk with them beforehand to see if they allow this and what their requirements are. Real or mock, an actual vehicle must always be used for seat checks.
After your seat check has been observed and discussed, quickly enter it in your online profile. This will generate an email to the Instructor or Technician Proxy and notify them that they have a seat check to review. Check your online profile later on to monitor whether the seats have been approved. If they haven't, please reach out to the Instructor or Technician Proxy and give him/her a gentle reminder to approve the seat check online.
After you have completed all of your seat check requirements, continue to volunteer at seat check events. That will not only help strengthen your CPS skills, but will also help you build a great working relationship with your fellow technicians.
2. What if I attend a series of events and can’t finish my seat checks? Can I set up a fake check? (Sept. 28, 2012)
Allowing a mock seat check is allowed if the Instructor or Technician Proxy is comfortable using the option.
It is important that you talk with each other to be sure you are on the same page in terms of expectations. Real or mock, an actual vehicle must always be used for seat checks.
The following guidelines were approved by the Certification/Recertification committee of the National CPS Board:
http://cert.safekids.org/ImATech/Recertification/SeatChecks.aspx
During a seat check, it is always best to have the child present.
- Instructors and technicians are strongly encouraged to make every effort to do an actual safety seat checkup.
- If an actual caregiver is not available, the instructor or technician proxy may choose a mock scenario, where a colleague acts out the part of the parent.
- It is strongly encouraged that instructor/tech proxy verification of required seat check activity be completed on an ongoing basis throughout your certification cycle, rather waiting until near your certification expiration date.
As during actual seat checks, the primary purpose the verifying instructor or technician proxy must feel confident in your ability to communicate accurate information to a parent or caregiver and double-check that the installation and paperwork are correct.
Read more at http://cert.safekids.org/ImATech/Recertification/SeatChecks.aspx
3. If I fail a seat check, does it mean I’m no longer a tech and can’t recertify? (Sept. 28, 2012)
Not necessarily, if a technician or instructor fails a seat check they still have an opportunity to have that instructor or a different instructor observe their skills another time before their certification expiration date. You can enter as many seat checks as you like but only the 5, one of each type, is required for recertification. If a technician or instructor fails an installation the observing instructor or tech proxy should explain where they were deficient or why this is not a correct seat install. All five installations must be passed in order to recertify, in addition to the community event and 6 CEUs.
It is also important that when you are attending an event and need to have seats signed off that you contact the event coordinator ahead of time to be sure that an instructor or tech proxy (TP) will be there and available. This provides an opportunity for the instructor/TP and technician to understand what is expected during the seat check, including evaluating the installation, and the communication and technical skills. Techs should be sure to keep the name of the instructor/TP so that they may submit the name of the instructor/TP properly. Submitting an incorrect name will result in being marked as failed because it was the wrong instructor.
4. I am a CPSTI. Do I have to do seat check sign-offs? (Feb. 26, 2010)
Seat check sign offs create an opportunity to address the skills of fellow technicians in a similar way to that in which we work with families: encouraging correct use, reinforcing resources to aid technician recommendations, and making the person more confident in their skills. Technicians readily rely upon local instructors to assist them in many ways. This connect is a continuation from the classroom in to real life scenarios that provide the "aha" moment when a technician learns of a new way to make a recommendation or apply new technical information. For instructors, seat checks serve as a necessary balance of being a good educator and being technically proficient.
Although there is no mandate, CPSTIs should be reasonably available to techs in their community since only CPSTIs can do a sign off. This does not mean that they have to approve a seat check. If the CPSTI does not feel confident in the tech's ability to communicate accurate information to a parent or caregiver, they should provide guidance and support so the tech will do a better job next time. For tips, review the Auditor's Alcove article in the January 2010 CPS Express.
Note: There are some states that have seat checks as a standard of performance or an expectation of a CPS Instructor accepting and operating under the scope of CPS practice.
5. Are seat checks audited? (Sept. 28, 2012)
The 5 required seat checks are approved online by the instructor or technician proxy. Their approval is all we need! If you are selected for a recertification audit, just send in proof of 6 CEUs earned.
6. I live in a remote area and it’s hard to meet with instructors for my seat check sign offs. Could we do a video call? (April 25, 2013)
If you are not able to go to an instructor and they are not able to meet with you, consider a FaceTime or Skype-type video call. This option is available and depends on the comfort level of the instructor. Like face to face seat checks, you could complete a series of mock or real checks. Have a colleague hold the phone or camera so you (and the caregiver) can be seen and heard by the instructor. When the seat check is done, you and the instructor would discuss the seat check in real time.
The instructor may have additional requirements beyond one seat check of each type (extra questions, maybe extra seat checks) so be sure to talk about expectations in advance.
Try a practice check first to go through the technical issues and to assure that you and the instructor are on the same page in terms of expectations and requirements.