C A R E E R   S U M M A R Y
Over 20 years experience as a Business Manager, Medical Professional, Instructor and Lead Auditor for Quality Management Systems - ISO/AS 9000/AS 9100  

• RAB/RMC Approved AS 9100 Aerospace Auditor/Trainer – RAB A08900

• Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor, RAB certified - IRCA Certification # 1181450

• AS 9100 BVQI Auditor Training Course – Taught 10-01

• Certified Honeywell Internal/External AS 9100 QMS Auditor

• Certified ISO/17025 QMS for Laboratory Accreditation

• Co-Owner of Quality Specialists - Auditing / Consulting Firm

• State Certified Health Care Assistant

• State Certified Emergency Medical Technician

• State Certified Counselor

P R O F E S S I O N A L   E X P E R I E N C E

Manager/Auditor/Instructor - Quality Specialists - Self-employed contractor 1-93 to present   

Manage business including:  Control of documents, purchasing, & contracts.

Auditor:  Responsible for planning, execution/auditing & reporting of ISO 9000/17025 and AS 9000/9100 audits. Accomplished dozens of second and third party audits for Aerospace companies and other industries for Quality Specialists and International Registrars.  Additional formal training for Aerospace activities: source inspection of aircraft parts, first article inspection and process qualification check lists through TQM Associates in 1997. In 1999, by invitation of Honeywell Working Group - tasked by AAQG/IAQG, reviewed and commented on AS 9101/EN 9101 Audit Check Lists which resulted in improvements.  As Second Tutor, taught an RAB Approved AS 9100 Auditor class in October 2001.

Medical Billing Specialist /Health Care Assistant: 4-96 through 3-99 - Bonney Lake Medical Center

Medical Billing: Medicare, Labor & Industries, private insurance and private patients. 

Health Care Responsibilities:  General nursing, surgical assistant, laboratory testing, EKG testing, infectious waste handling and sterilization.

Medical Clinic Manager/Instructor/Health Care Assistant/ Counselor: 10-75 to 4-94 - Cascade Family Planning

Clinic Operations:   Developed a Quality System Manual, procedures and work instructions to meet county, state and federal quality requirements for laboratories.  Directed client interface, scheduling and taught technicians to perform necessary laboratory tests to meet requirements.  Responsible to maintain Bio-hazard program, proficiency testing, maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment and train/instruct new personnel. 

State Health Care Assistant/Counselor/Instructor:  Licensed in IV therapy, phlebotomy, and administering injections. Trained to accomplish ultrasound examinations. Responsible for laboratory testing and quality control.   Trained new employees in Phlebotomy, laboratory and ultrasound skills. Assisted with surgical procedures, instructed patients about medical and surgical procedures and taught post-operative care. State Licensed Counselor responsible to assist patients with decisions concerning health care.

Business Operations:  Implemented a computer system to meet clinic needs, designed and automated programs to adhere to regulatory requirements. Responsible for accounts payable, receivable, inventory, purchasing, payroll, taxes, year end financial reports and responsible for hiring and training employees.

B I O G R A P H Y

JoAda Wickern started her career in 1975 as a Medical Billing Specialist.   As the job progressed, she became responsible for accounts payable, receivable, inventory, purchasing, payroll, taxes, and year end financial reports.   In 1978 Ms. Wickern was trained and certified as an Emergency Medical Technician and utilized these skills in the out-patient clinic setting.    She quickly advanced and became the manager of the two medical clinics in Eastern and Western Washington State. 

She was further trained under her physician/employer to assist in surgical procedures, perform laboratory tests and do ultrasound examinations.  In 1989, she was awarded her Washington State Health Care Assistant License which gave her licensesure for IV therapy, phlebotomy, administration of injections, and was tasked to train new employees in these skills.  In 1993, she received her Washington State Counselor License which was utilized to explain medical & surgical procedures, help with decisions concerning health care and teach post operative care to patients.  JoAda liaisoned with other organizations to arrange for specialized counseling when appropriate.  Throughout this association, she attended medical related courses and numerous seminars to advance her skills and maintain certifications and licenses.

As manager of two medical clinics, JoAda was responsible for all clinic operations.   She implemented a computer system to meet clinic needs, designed and automated programs to adhere to regulatory requirements and taught employees to use the system.  With new federal (CLIA), state and county requirements, it became imperative to develop a Quality System.  To meet these requirements, Ms. Wickern developed a Quality System Manual, with the corresponding procedures and work instructions.  She was responsible to maintain a bio-hazard program, proficiency testing, maintenance & calibration of laboratory equipment, perform safety and health inspections, MSDS control and train personnel to use the system correctly.   

In the interim, she and her husband John took care of their disabled daughter at home for seven years.  The daughter was in an automobile accident and suffered irreversible brain damage.  They obtained training from a local rehabilitation center and provided medical care to their daughter.  This care included gastric feedings, physical therapy, general nursing care, and mixing & administration of medications (as directed by the daughter’s physician).

JoAda and her partner/husband established their own business for auditing and consulting services.   She worked in the back ground at first, managing the business, helping to prepare training materials, and assisting in the presentation of courses and seminars.  She also worked part time for a local medical clinic to keep up her medical skills.

JoAda then decided to join John in the international audit scheme.  She passed her Certified Lead Auditor class and audited as an observer and active auditor for several years, for aerospace, industrial and medical clients.  Audits were accomplished through their business for several Quality Firms requiring supplier audits such as Lucent Technologies, Abbott Labs, Colorado Medical Tech, Applied Materials, Honeywell and International Registrars. JoAda is now certified as an IRCA QMS Lead Auditor and has accomplished myriads of ISO and AS audits to date.  RAB/RMC approved her as an AS 9100 auditor and trainer.  She co-taught an RAB Approved AS 9100 Auditor class in October 2001.

JoAda is thankful for the opportunity to have worked for a physician that was supportive, willing to train and mentor.  While her direct working experience started in the medical field, her auditing experience and training in aerospace has been diversified with many different industries. She looks forward to assisting many more organizations to comply with International Standards through value added auditing.