Conducting a competency-based workforce assessment is a first step in determining competency strengths and potential areas for improvement. Examples in this section illustrate how organizations have conducted and reported the results of workforce assessments using the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (Core Competencies) and highlight national assessments tracking use of the Core Competencies.
ASTHO Profile of State and Territorial Public Health
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) regularly conducts a Profile study to gather information about state and territorial public health agency activities, structure, and resources. Among other elements, the Profile study reports data on how many state health departments have used the Core Competencies for a variety of workforce development purposes. View the ASTHO Profile of State and Territorial Public Health.
Denver Public Health Core Competency Survey
To determine areas in which to focus workforce development efforts, Denver Public Health (CO) conducts an annual Core Competency survey. Using the Modified Version of the Core Competencies and the process described in Determining Essential Core Competences for Public Health Jobs: A Prioritization Process, Denver Public Health identified essential competencies for various job classifications within the organization, as well as organization-wide competencies, and tailored the language of the competencies to staff needs. Staff assess themselves based on the relevant competencies for their job classification, and results guide the development of a workforce development plan, among other activities. To learn more, watch the archived webinar or view Denver Public Health's workforce development plan.
Healthy People 2020: Public Health Infrastructure
Healthy People provides national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. Within the Public Health Infrastructure area, Healthy People 2020 sets and tracks goals for use of the Core Competencies by public health agencies in job descriptions and performance evaluations, use of the Core Competencies for continuing education for public health agency employees, and integration of the Core Competencies into academic curricula. View the Healthy People 2020 Public Health Infrastructure objectives.
Montana Public Health and Human Services Workforce Assessment Final Report
The Montana Public Health and Human Services Public Health and Safety Division conducted an assessment using a modified version of the Core Competencies to measure the competency of its workforce and determine training and educational priorities for its employees. This report summarizes the findings of the assessment. View the report.
Wyoming Department of Health Workforce Training Assessment
Wyoming Department of Health Public Health Division conducts a workforce training assessment to assess staff competency levels and identify possible training needs. In addition to assessing knowledge and skills related to the Core Competencies, the workforce training assessment survey gathers information about Core Competencies priorities for specific positions, allowing for the three-step competency prioritization process to be completed in an automated way. A customized report is generated for each staff member based on their responses to the survey. View the Tier 2 Workforce Training Assessment and a template for the customized report.
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