VOLUNTEERS: PEER REVIEWERS

• Current or recent involvement in training program or other experiences relevant to responsibilities of specific role of off-site review team.
• Familiarity with COMTA Accreditation Standards and understanding of criteria needed to comply with those standards.
• Dependability – can be counted on to be responsible in meeting obligations.
• Objectivity – can remain focused on the Standards, setting aside personal views to evaluate the institution’s/program’s operation according to established criteria.
• Communication skills – can interact in professional manner to obtain appropriate information.
• Skilled in accurate recall, note taking and report writing.
• Capable of deductive reasoning and logical analysis.
• Respects confidentiality inherent in accreditation process.
• Maintains a flexible, cooperative attitude.
• Is physically able to fulfill responsibilities.
• No individual may serve on off-site team unless she/he has attended an Accreditation and Peer Reviewer Workshop or served on a site review team within two years.

• Complete Site Reviewers Training Application Form.
  
• Submit current resume, letter of application, references and signed Statement of Ethics.
  
• Participate in COMTA site reviewer training at a COMTA Accreditation and Peer Reviewer Workshop or similar training event.
  
• Await review of application materials by Commission staff. They will determine, based on qualifications and training workshop participation, whether applicant meets requirements for a COMTA site reviewer. They also determine in which specialty areas applicant is qualified to serve.
• Become part of the pool of potential on-site visitors.

• COMTA office maintains a list of potential review team members who have been approved by the executive director based on their credentials.
• Notification of all off-site and on-site visits in upcoming cycle is sent to potential team members, who respond with their availability for specific visits.
• COMTA staff reviews the available team members and matches them with requirements of upcoming off-site and on-site reviews. The off-site review team is comprised of:
  
  • Management/finance specialist with knowledge of administration, business and finances
  • Education specialist with knowledge of education processes such as admissions, student services and student records
  • Content specialist with specific knowledge about training needed for practice of massage therapy and bodywork
  • Commission representative may also be a team member
    
• During the off-site review, one individual with experience as both an off-site and on-site reviewer will be designated team leader. They will oversee the off-site review process and serve as a contact person for the on-site review.
• In order to maintain high standards of impartiality and objectivity, every effort is made to ensure no conflicts of interest - real or perceived - exist. Site review team members are expected to refrain from participating in any visit where they would have a real or perceived conflict of interest. Since the COMTA office cannot be knowledgeable of all potential conflicts of interest, it is the responsibility of the applicant and proposed team members to notify COMTA if a specific nominee is unsuitable for a particular review. A list of all potential reviewers is sent to the applicant school or program, giving the applicant the opportunity to identify reviewers who may have a conflict of interest. Any objections of an applicant are taken into consideration when the slate of reviewers is drawn up. The applicant is then notified of the composition of the team.
• The following situations are possible conflicts of interest:
  
  • Ownership of or employment at competing institutions/programs
  • Former employment by applicant
  • Family or friendship connections with operators of the institution/program
  • Close professional or personal relationship with staff/faculty members
  • Professional consulting relationships with applicant
    
• Off-site reviews are scheduled and off-site team members are notified.
• On-site reviews are scheduled in coordination with applicant's schedule, and on-site team members are notified.
  

• The team leader evaluates all peer reviewers after each review.
• All peer reviewers evaluate team leaders after each review.
• Programs/institutions evaluate site visitors and the peer review process.
• Staff reviews all evaluations as they are received; these also are reviewed bi-annually by the Research and Assessment Committee.