Quality Control Officer - Medical Devices Industry

The course combines the topics of quality management with the concepts of KAIZEN, Lean and CIP as well as the special quality requirements in the medical device industry. In the first part of the course, you will therefore be guided through the strategic planning of a QM system and be introduced to possible management methods. You will also be taught knowledge and methods for working as a QM auditor. In the second part, you will be introduced to the topics of KAIZEN (Japanese: KAI for "change" and ZEN for "for the better"), lean management and CIP - the continuous improvement process in product, process and service quality. Finally, the course covers the requirements for risk management systems in the medical device industry, the applicable international standard and the ISO 13485 standard relevant to the approval of medical devices. An insight into the use of artificial intelligence in the profession complements the topics mentioned.
  • Certificates: Certificate "Quality Control Officer - Medical Devices Industry"
  • Additional Certificates: Certificate "Quality manager with TÜV Rheinland certified qualification"
    Certificate "Quality auditor with TÜV Rheinland certified qualification"
    Certificate "Process optimization with Lean, Kaizen and CIP"
    Certificate "Quality management in the medical device industry"
  • Examination: Praxisbezogene Projektarbeiten mit Abschlusspräsentationen
    Qualitätsmanager:in mit TÜV Rheinland geprüfter Qualifikation
    Qualitätsauditor:in mit TÜV Rheinland geprüfter Qualifikation
  • Teaching Times: Full-time
    Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. (in weeks with public holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.)
  • Language of Instruction: German
  • Duration: 16 Weeks

Quality manager with TÜV Rheinland certified qualification

Basics of process management (approx. 2 days)

Recognize and systematize processes

Visualize and analyze processes

Mastering processes - control variables, key figures

Improving and reorganizing processes

Process management in planning, logistics and service - Production and service


Tools for process management (approx. 3 days)

Application of standard tools, including process flow diagram, cause-effect diagram, histogram, scatter diagram, Pareto diagram

7 management tools and their function - affinity diagram, relation diagram, tree diagram, matrix diagram, portfolio diagram, problem-decision plan, network diagram


Artificial intelligence (AI) in the work process

Presentation of specific AI technologies

and possible applications in the professional environment


Planning with FMEA and QFD and Design Thinking (approx. 2 days)

The Failure Mode and Effects Analysis: Quality Function Deployment (QFD)

Design Thinking


Statistical methods and evaluation procedures (approx. 2 days)

Types of statistics

Descriptive statistics - Visualization

Inductive statistics - Static


The world of Six Sigma (approx. 1 day)

Meeting customer expectations with Six Sigma

Six Sigma and the spread in the process

The Six Sigma method in practice

It doesn't work without employee participation

The DMAIC cycle: Five steps to success


The history of quality awards (approx. 0.5 days)

The quality prizes at a glance

Japan: The Deming Prize

USA: The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA)

The EFQM Levels of Excellence program


The EFQM Model for Excellence (approx. 0.5 days)

Orientation in the EFQM model

Realization in the EFQM model

Results in the EFQM model

EFQM diagnostic tool: RADAR

EFQM Recognition: Ludwig Erhard Prize Basic concepts of excellence


The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) (approx. 1 day)

Perspectives of the BSC

Alignment of the organization with the strategy

BSC pyramid, BSC process

Benefits of the BSC


Learning from the best - Benchmarking (approx. 0.5 days)

Origins of benchmarking

Benchmarking methods

Procedure of a benchmarking process


The continuous improvement process (approx. 1 day)

Kaizen and the continuous improvement process

Dealing with non-conformities (errors, prevention, correction)

Classification of errors

Further building blocks of the CIP


Employee orientation (approx. 0.5 days)

Necessity of employee orientation and qualification

Employee orientation and the EFQM model

Employee orientation as a management task

Employee appraisal

Employee survey

Knowledge management


Legal basics (approx. 0.5 days)

The areas of law

National law, European law

Relationship between EU law and national law

LkSG - Supply Chain Due Diligence Act


Product and manufacturer liability (approx. 1 day)

Product liability from contract - material defects,

Warranty claims, positive breach of contract, burden of proof and statute of limitations, delimitation of warranty, commercial obligation to give notice of defects

Statutory product liability claims

Strict liability under the German Product Liability Act (ProdHaftG)

Product liability under administrative law

Criminal product liability


Damage avoidance strategies (approx. 1.5 days)

Drafting contracts (contract management, general terms and conditions, limitations of liability)

Quality assurance agreements

quality management

organization

documentation


Project work, certification preparation and certification examination "Quality Manager with TÜV Rheinland certified qualification" (approx. 3 days)

Quality auditor with TÜV Rheinland certified qualification

Fundamentals of auditing, audit types (approx. 2 days)

Audits as a management tool

Audit classification according to participants

Audit classification according to the subject of the audit


Standards as a basis for auditing and certification (approx. 0.5 days)

Industry-independent certification standards

Industry-specific certification standards


Management of an audit program (approx. 1.5 days)

Defining the audit program objectives

Audit program risks and opportunities

Defining, implementing and monitoring the audit program

Reviewing and improving the audit program


Carrying out an audit (approx. 3 days)

Initiating the audit

Preparing the audit activities

Carrying out audit activities

Creating and distributing the audit report

Concluding the audit

Carrying out audit follow-up measures


Competence and assessment of auditors (approx. 1 day)

Determining the competence of auditors

Determining the assessment criteria for auditors

Selecting the appropriate assessment method

Carrying out the auditor assessment

Maintaining and improving auditor competence


Audit communication (approx. 2 days)

Basics of communication

Audit opening

During the audit

After the audit


Artificial intelligence (AI) in the work process

Presentation of specific AI technologies

and possible applications in the professional environment


Certification (approx. 1 day)

ISO 9001: A model for success

Certification - Why?

Selection of the certification company

Certification process


Process requirements for certification (approx. 4 days)

Activities prior to certification

Planning audits

Initial certification

Certification decision

Maintenance of certification

Appeals, complaints

Customer records

Document review


Project work, certification preparation and certification examination "Quality auditor with TÜV Rheinland certified qualification" (approx. 5 days)

Process optimization with Lean, Kaizen and CIP

What is CIP/Kaizen/Lean? (approx. 0.5 days)

Definition, goals, benefits (CIP vs. Kaizen vs. Lean)

Principle of small steps


Historical development of the CIP (approx. 1 day)

Supply/demand orientation

Japanese corporate culture

Toyota Production System

Development of modern quality and management systems (e.g. TQM)

Overview of maturity level and assessment models (EFQM)


Framework conditions for successful CIP (approx. 0.5 days)

Role of management

Communication and transparency

Employee participation

Corporate culture and motivation

Interface and team management

Quality management principles (e.g. ISO 9001)


Philosophy of CIP/Kaizen (approx. 1 day)

The five central principles

Internal customer/supplier principle

Interaction of innovation, standard and kaizen

Tasks of management and employees


Customer requirements and satisfaction (approx. 1.5 days)

Market and stakeholder analysis

Kano model

Requirements and wishes

CTQ methods (Translation Matrix, CTQ Tree)

Vuca and agility

Integrated management systems


Process optimization: Efficiency for the benefit of customers - Lean management: Value and waste (approx. 1 day)

Philosophy: Focus on customer requirements

Productivity - Quality - Availability - Flexibility

Value creation and non-value creation

The 7 types of waste (TIMWOOD)

3 MU: Muda, Mura, Muri


Implementation of Kaizen and CIP (approx. 1 day)

Prerequisites for Kaizen in the company

Development of a continuous improvement culture

5S method/5A campaign

Kaizen as a management system

Kaizen roadmap


Synchronize processes (approx. 0.5 days)

Production in the customer cycle

Cycle time, cycle time, throughput time

Cell logic

One-piece flow

Pull principle (supermarket) and push principle

Just-in-time logistics [JIT]


Value stream analysis (approx. 0.5 days)

Value stream mapping (actual and target value stream)

Value added quotient [WQ]

Visualization: benefits, symbols, data box


Level production/Heijunka (approx. 0.5 days)

Heijunka vs. series

Heijunka box

Batch size 1

Application example

Increasing the number of cycles

Kanban flow system (material and information flow)


Improve production facilities (approx. 0.5 days)

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) incl. autonomous maintenance

Key process indicators (KPIs, OEE)

Minimization of set-up times (SMED)


Standardize processes (approx. 1 day)

Quality policy standardization

Advantages of standards

Standards in the company

Questions about the standard

Defining processes, from the process landscape to the process description

Visualization

3 process states

Worker self-check


Controlling processes (approx. 2.5 days)

ISO 9001 requirements (4.4, 8.1, 8.5.1): Customer key figures (Cpk/Sigma level)

Process management

Process analysis

Standard tools: Q7 and M7

Process efficiency analysis

AI-supported data analysis, statistical process control [SPC]

SPC in series production: interpreting quality control charts [QRK], automation (Jidoka)


Evaluation models (approx. 1 day)

PDCA: Improvement of improvement

Self-assessment maturity level ISO 9004 and EFQM

Management assessment according to ISO 9001

6-W questioning technique

4-M/7-M checklists

Benchmarking and best practice

Balanced Scorecard (BSC)

Hoshin Kanri, X-Matrix

AI-supported evaluation of trends, key figures and assessments

Measurement of customer and employee satisfaction


Error prevention and systematic problem solving (approx. 2 days)

Development according to customer requirements

Risk management: risk landscape, matrix [FMEA]

Poka Yoke, error classification, error culture/Hansei

Internal audits

Customer communication: complaint management, 8D report

10 steps to problem solving with tools (Q7, M7)

Root cause analysis: 5 Why, 6 W (Root Causes)

A3 problem solution sheet

AI-based pattern recognition for error and quality data


Empowering employees (approx. 1 day)

Ownership and entrepreneurship

Roles of managers and employees

Change management

Promoting employees (TWI)

Employee satisfaction

Competence and awareness, knowledge management (ISO 9001)

Idea management (BVW)

Teamwork in a lean context

Quality Circle [QC]

Agile methods

Community of Practice (CoP)

Coaching Kata and Improvement Kata


Visual Management and Shopfloor (approx. 0.5 days)

Principles of visual control

Visual process control, Andon (traffic light)

Store floor management

Digital dashboards and AI-supported process visualization


Quality controlling - finances (approx. 0.5 days)

Quality cost model, conformity/defect costs, rule of 10 (as a mental model)


Project work (approx. 3 days)

To consolidate the content learned

Presentation of the project results

QM in the medical device industry

Introduction to general quality management (approx. 1 day)

Basics of QM

Q-methods and Q-tools


QM - Medical devices ISO 13485 (approx. 1.5 days)

Structure, scope, area of application of ISO 13485

Relationship between MDR/IVDR and ISO 13485

ISO 13485 in the context of the requirements of 21 CFR Part 820


Artificial intelligence (AI) in the work process (approx. 0.5 days)

Document review with AI support

Regulatory requirements (AI Act)


Requirements for management systems (approx. 3 days)

Management standard ISO 9001:2015

Provision and management of resources

Basics in the area of measurements and tests

Requirements for measuring equipment management for medical devices and diagnostics


Process-oriented QM (approx. 2 days)

Importance of processes, process orientation, process description and process validation

Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA process)

Continuous improvement process (CIP)


Monitoring products on the market (approx. 2 days)

Error and complaint management

Post-Market Surveillance (PMS), Post-Market Clinical Follow-up (PMCF)

European database EUDAMED

Reporting procedures and complaint handling

Communication with authorities and notified bodies: Feedback and reporting


Documentation systems (approx. 3 days)

Basics of general QM documentation, document control and archiving

Validation parameters (IQ, OQ, PQ)

Summary Technical Documentation: STED


Risk management (approx. 2 days)

Importance of the risk management standard ISO 14971

Product and process risks

Risk areas and typical product risks


Audits and inspections (approx. 2 days)

Application of EN ISO 13485

Certifiers and the responsible authorities

EN ISO 13485 vs. MDR (Medical Device Regulation)

ISO 13485 as the basis for the global MDSAP (Medical Device Single Audit Program)

Auditor duties, audit planning and implementation

Audits taking into account the implementation of legal and technical requirements


Project work (approx. 3 days)

To consolidate the content learned

Presentation of the project results



Changes are possible, the course content is updated regularly.

Successful participation in the "Quality Officer" course with a certificate of completion or comparable evidence is required.

Once you have completed the course, you will be able to plan and implement quality management systems and have competent knowledge of strategic management methods. You will also have the know-how to carry out qualified audits in the company. You can identify potential for improvement and carry out step-by-step optimization in an efficient and targeted manner. You are also familiar with the regulations, standards and certifications for medical devices and can contribute to the implementation of EN ISO 13485:2021 and ISO 14971:2021.

The course is aimed at science students, engineering graduates, production managers, quality assurance officers and all employees working in the areas of development, production, quality control and quality assurance in medical device companies.

In order for a medical device to be sold on the German and European market, medical device regulations must be complied with during production. Specialists who are familiar with the production process and the applicable quality standards are in high demand in the medical device industry. In addition, such knowledge also helps the pharmaceutical industry to better understand the regulatory requirements at the interface between the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries.

Didactic concept

Your lecturers are highly qualified both professionally and didactically and will teach you from the first to the last day (no self-study system).

You will learn in effective small groups. The courses usually consist of 6 to 25 participants. The general lessons are supplemented by numerous practical exercises in all course modules. The practice phase is an important part of the course, as it is during this time that you process what you have just learned and gain confidence and routine in its application. The final section of the course involves a project, a case study or a final exam.

 

Virtual classroom alfaview®

Lessons take place using modern alfaview® video technology - either from the comfort of your own home or at our premises at Bildungszentrum. The entire course can see each other face-to-face via alfaview®, communicate with each other in lip-sync voice quality and work on joint projects. Of course, you can also see and talk to your connected trainers live at any time and you will be taught by your lecturers in real time for the entire duration of the course. The lessons are not e-learning, but real live face-to-face lessons via video technology.

 

The courses at alfatraining are funded by Agentur für Arbeit and are certified in accordance with the AZAV approval regulation. When submitting a Bildungsgutscheinor Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, the entire course costs are usually covered by your funding body.
Funding is also possible via Europäischen Sozialfonds (ESF), Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) or regional funding programs. As a regular soldier, you have the option of attending further training courses via Berufsförderungsdienst (BFD). Companies can also have their employees qualified via funding from Agentur für Arbeit (Qualifizierungschancengesetz).

We will gladly advise you free of charge.

0800 3456-500 Mon. - Fri. from 8 am to 5 pm
free of charge from all German networks.

Contact

We will gladly advise you free of charge. 0800 3456-500 Mon. - Fri. from 8 am to 5 pm free of charge from all German networks.