QA - Field Proficiency Test

A proficiency test is a type of assessment in which a sample, the composition of which is unknown to the analyst, is provided to test whether the analyst/laboratory can produce analytical results within the specified acceptance criteria. PTs for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyls and metals are implemented in the NATTS program and can be used in other programs as well.

  • VOCs and carbonyls are analyzed on site by analyzers. The proficiency test in this case is auditing the on-site analyzer. This means that the monitor id is needed on the transaction to identify the analyzer being assessed. This assessment is referred to as a Field Proficiency Test or Field PT.

  • Metal analysis is performed by a laboratory off site. The proficiency test in this case is auditing the lab used to analyze the metals. For this case, the monitor id is not appropriate; rather the agency code of the lab is needed to identify the audited lab. This assessment is referred to as a Lab Proficiency Test, or Lab PT.

Format

QA - Field Proficiency Test transaction format

Seq.

Name

Description

Formatting Rules

Required

Key

1

Transaction Type

Quality Assurance transaction identifier.

Must = QA

Always

2

Action Indicator

Indicator for Insert, Update, or Delete action.

Must = I, U, or D

Always

3

Assessment Type

Indicates the specific QA assessment associated with the transaction.

Must = Field Proficiency Test

Always

Y

4

Performing Agency Code

Agency Code of organization performing assessment.

Must exist in AGENCIES reference table.

Optional; defaults to user agency

5

State Code / Tribal Indicator

The FIPS state code of the monitor, or “TT” to indicate that the next field on the transaction is a Tribal code.

Must exist in STATES Reference Table or be ‘TT’ for Tribal Site

Always

Y

6

County Code / Tribal Code

The FIPS County Code of the site. If the previous field on the transaction contains “TT”, then the Tribal Code of the site.

Must exist in COUNTIES (for state) or TRIBAL_AREAS Reference table

Always

Y

7

Site Number

Four digit number to uniquely identify site in county and/or tribe.

Must exist in SITES table with {State Code, county Code} or Tribal Code

Always

Y

8

Parameter Code

The AQS parameter code assigned to the monitor in AQS.

Must exist in PARAMETERS reference table.

Always

Y

9

POC

Parameter Occurrence Code: One or two digit number identifying a specific monitor for a parameter at the site.

Must exist in MONITOR table for non-Insert actions.

Always

Y

10

Assessment Date

Date that the assessment was performed

YYYYMMDD.

Always

Y

11

Assessment Number

A unique number associated with an assessment performed at a site on a given day. Value should be “1” unless additional same assessments are performed.

Integer.

Always

Y

12

Monitor Method Code

The sampling methodology of the monitor being assessed.

Must exist in SAMPLING METHODOLOGIES reference table.

Insert

13

Reported Unit Code

Units associated with the assessment.

Must exist in UNITS reference table, and unit code must be for Concentration units type.

Unless Delete

14

Monitor Concentration

The concentration value provided by the monitor being assessed.

Decimal.

Insert

15

Assessment Concentration

The known value of the analyte concentration.

Decimal.

Insert