1. Core Competencies and a Workforce Framework for Community Health Workers: A Model for Advancing the Profession.
- Author
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Covert, Hannah, Sherman, Mya, Miner, Kathleen, and Lichtveld, Maureen
- Subjects
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COMMUNITY health workers , *CORE competencies , *WORKFORCE planning , *HEALTH equity , *CONCEPTUAL structures , *HEALTH services accessibility , *HEALTH status indicators , *LABOR supply , *PROFESSIONAL employee training , *SURVEYS , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *PROFESSIONAL practice , *JOB performance - Abstract
Objectives. To establish a validated, standardized set of core competencies for community health workers (CHWs) and a linked workforce framework. Methods. We conducted a review of the literature on CHW competency development (August 2015), completed a structured analysis of literature sources to develop a workforce framework, convened an expert panel to review the framework and write measurable competencies, and validated the competencies (August 2017) by using a 5-point Likert scale survey with 58 participants in person in Biloxi, Mississippi, and electronically across the United States. Results. The workforce framework delineates 3 categories of CHWs based upon training, workplace, and scope of practice. Each of the 27 competencies was validated with a mean of less than 3 (range = 1.12–2.27) and a simple majority of participants rated all competencies as "extremely important" or "very important." Conclusions. Writing measurable competencies and linking the competencies to a workforce framework are significant advances for CHW workforce development. Public Health Implications. The standardized core competencies and workforce framework are important for addressing health disparities and maximizing CHW effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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