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In spring 2012, all Vermont Department of Health (VDH) staff were invited to participate in two surveys measuring self-assessed skill in Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals as set out by the Council on Linkages between Academia and Public Health. The purpose was to assess workforce development needs in preparation for Public Health Accreditation as legislated in Vermont’s Health Care Reform laws. As Vermont has a uniquely centralized health department structure with limited academic and institutional partners, VDH undertook this as part of Vermont’s Performance Management Framework through National Public Health Improvement Initiative funding.
METHODS:
Competencies and skills were divided into two surveys to minimize respondent burden. Each survey had 30 questions that VDH constructed to align with competency tiers. Surveys were completed voluntarily and anonymously via a web-based tool. Participants were asked to self-assess skill in each tier. Additional questions focused on VDH-specific skills such as identifying strategic directions and an open-ended opportunity for comment. Administrative division (e.g. Environmental Health) was collected; job title and role were not. Simple descriptive statistics were used to assess differences by division and competency. The proportion of respondents with Tier 1 skills was the main outcome of interest. All analysis was conducted in SAS 9.3.
RESULTS:
The response rates were 67% and 53%; 362 and 284 staff across the state participated in surveys 1 and 2, respectively. Response rates ranged from 46%-80% by division. The mean proportion of respondents per question with self-assessed Tier 1 skills was 53% (range: 16%-83%). The competency areas with the lowest average proportion were related to general public health and implementation. The highest were related to team building and communication. Differences between divisions were noted in prevention-specific and data-focused competencies – more common among programmatic and surveillance staff, respectively. While few opted to comment (10%), comments and anecdotal evidence noted unfamiliarity and frustration with the competency language and structure. However, several expressed interest in trainings for and discussion of national competencies and standards.
CONCLUSIONS:
More than half of VDH survey respondents reported Tier 1 skills in most core competencies regardless of division or job title. There is room for improvement. Through measuring the workforce’s self-assessed ability in core competencies, and using this data to inform division-specific workforce development, VDH hopes to improve service to all Vermonters and, ultimately, health outcomes. Given Vermont’s unique centralization, VDH can efficiently implement training plans and consistently build skills across all governmental public health professionals.