Public Health Sciences Skills
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Identify the individual’s and organization’s responsibilities within the
context of the essential public health services and core functions
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Apply the basic public health sciences including behavioral and social
sciences, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, and
prevention of injuries and chronic and infectious diseases
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Obtain and evaluate published information to inform public health
decisions.
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Define, assess and communicate the health status of populations,
determinants of health and illness, factors contributing to health
promotion and disease prevention, and factors influencing the use of
health services
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Collaborate with colleagues and the community to investigate and manage
public health problems
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Mobilize resources in the community needed to increase access to public
health and health care services
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Describe the public health aspects of emergency planning (PHEPR)
Professional Practice
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Appropriately apply regulations, policies and procedures related to your
specific roles, responsibilities, and specialized expertise
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Maintain established standards for your profession (e.g. licensure,
certification, continuing education, etc.)
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Maintain and apply up to date best practice knowledge and stay current
on new developments and trends within areas of expertise and scope of
responsibility
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Engage in on-going professional knowledge and skill development
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Manage personal workload effectively to accomplish priorities
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Apply creative problem-solving and flexible thinking to unusual
challenges within functional responsibilities and evaluate effectiveness
of all actions taken (PHEPR)
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Systems Thinking Definition: Seeing problems and issues in a larger perspective that
understands relationships between units inside and outside the
organization; anticipating consequences of alternative courses of action,
and solving problems in ways that address total system needs, not just the
immediate situation.
Apply an
understanding of the public health system to solving problems and
addressing public health needs and priorities
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Describe political processes
and variables operating at federal, state, and local levels that impact
the public health system
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Describe the role of cultural,
social, and behavioral factors in determining the delivery of public
health services
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Describe public health as a
system, including the interaction of public health and health care systems
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Communicate the role of
governmental public health within the public health system
Evaluate and interpret social, technological, environmental, economic and
political influences on the community, the local health jurisdiction and
public health system
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Identify and interpret the
norms, values and influences of different cultures and their interaction
in the community
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Scan the environment to
identify key trends or drivers that may impact the local health
jurisdiction and the delivery of essential public health services within
the community
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Identify issues impacting
public health that cross jurisdictional boundaries
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Describe the roles of various
traditional (e.g. education, social services) and non-traditional partners
(law enforcement, emergency response) in achieving public health goals
within the community (PHEPR)
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Communicate public health
information, roles, capacities and legal authority accurately to all
emergency response partners during planning, drills and actual emergencies
(PHEPR)
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Public Health Policy, Authority, and Responsibility
Definition: Developing and advocating for policy that advances public
health goals; using legal authority and regulatory processes as needed to
implement policy; and managing policy to achieve desired outcomes
Boards of Health and legal authority
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Access, interpret and apply laws and regulations that pertain to public
health authority and responsibility and/or impact public health practice
(e.g. confidentiality, age of consent.)
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Identify elements of public health laws that are important to assess in
developing public health emergency response plans. (PHEPR)
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Utilize the legal remedies available to local health jurisdictions for
enforcing public health laws and regulations
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Develop and maintain effective collaborative processes for local Board
of Health development, new member orientation and ongoing communication
and problem-solving
Policy development and implementation
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Describe theories and approaches that drive public health policy-making
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Analyze, evaluate, and communicate public policy choices
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Incorporate assessment and evaluation findings into public health
planning and policy decisions
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Translate policy into organizational priorities, plans, structures and
programs
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Apply an understanding of values and costs of public health services to
make strategic decisions regarding funding choices
Interpret and apply laws and regulations that pertain to public health
authority and responsibility
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Evaluate/review the public health laws, local ordinances and plans on a
regular schedule, to assure that they are current and up-to-date in all
areas, including public health emergency response (PHEPR)
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New Coalitions and Alliances
Definition: Managing and implementing responsibilities through
collaboration, coordination, and stakeholder participation. Emphasizing
community engagement, coalitions and partnerships in developing programs
and services to meet community priorities.
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Identify and engage potential strategic partners
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Convene, lead and participate in state and local work groups, takes
forces, coalitions and consortia addressing specific public health issues
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Use political, coalition-building, advocacy and communication skills to
engage the community and build partnerships and capacity for achieving
public health goals
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Build trusting, effective and sustainable relationships with diverse
groups and individuals within the community
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Use community mobilization methods and tools appropriate for the local
community
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Promote an organizational environment that facilitates team building,
team problem-solving and constructive conflict resolution
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Identify opportunities for internal and external collaboration across
boundaries
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Develop and maintain written agreements with governmental bodies,
schools, hospitals, and others to secure resources and assistance, ensure
coordination and to clarify relationships and responsibilities related to
public health issues and activities, including emergency preparedness and
response (PHEPR)
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Develop and implement communication strategies to assure effective and
continuous links between targeted partners and stakeholders, including
emergency preparedness and response (PHEPR)
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Communication
Definition: To use communication processes, methods and skills as
strategic tools to increase knowledge and support for public health,
improve community health status; address communities concerns, and manage
public health responsibilities
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Use the media, community networks and other forums to increase the
public’s knowledge of and support for public health
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Communicate across a broad range of agency, political, cultural, and
community settings to promote understanding of public health issues
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Lead and participate in groups to address specific issues
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Use the most effective, efficient and expedient telecommunications media
for individual public health situations
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Apply principles and tools of social marketing to improve community
health
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Apply principles and tools of effective risk communication in addressing
community concerns and public health emergencies (PHEPR)
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Foster open, culturally sensitive communication and dialogue within own
organization and with partners and stakeholders
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Develop and implement communication strategies that assure effective and
continuous links between targeted partners and stakeholders, including
emergency preparedness and response (PHEPR)
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Manage external communication and information dissemination to diverse
entities, including the public, legislators, local Board of Health, and
the news media.
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Balance legal and confidentiality issues for the public benefit
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Develop and implement communication and public information plans and
strategies for a variety of public health issues, including emergency
events. (PHEPR)
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Describe the chain of command and incident command system (or similar
protocol) for emergency response functions in the jurisdiction. (PHEPR)
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Informatics
Definition: Using and managing information, information technology, and
information systems as strategic tools to perform specific public health
functions and improve individual, organizational, and system effectiveness
Apply information technology to public health practice
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Use information technology to increase individual effectiveness as a
public health professional (e.g. web-based applications for searching and
retrieving information, distance-learning technologies for ongoing
learning)
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Use software available within the agency to perform research,
record-keeping, communication, data analysis and interpretation, and
reporting tasks
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Combine data and information from multiple sources to create new
information to support public health decision-making
Plan and manage information systems, projects and processes
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Use efficient and cost-effective approaches to integrate information
technology into the workplace to improve individual, program, organization
and system effectiveness.
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Guide the collection, analysis and evaluation of data available through
key electronic systems and use the information in decision-making
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Implement relevant policies, procedures and technical means to the
collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information to
ensure that confidential information is protected
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Apply systems thinking to planning and collaborating on information
technology efforts
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Establish a public health communication infrastructure that receives and
transmits data and information for decision support during an emergency
event (PHEPR)
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Quality Improvement
Definition: Developing and implementing systems, strategies, and processes
for continually reviewing and improving the work of the agency,
stimulating innovation, building knowledge, and achieving excellence.
Create an organizational culture that emphasizes quality, performance, and
a strong customer focus
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Integrate a focus on quality into staff orientation and development,
program planning and service delivery, and the day to day work of the
local health jurisdiction
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Establish a quality improvement structure, and develop and implement a
quality improvement plan for the agency or functional area of
responsibility
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Engage agency employees and community partners and stakeholders in
quality improvement efforts and communicate performance results.
Use a systematic, organization-wide approach to measuring performance that
is grounded in data, best practices and science
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Utilize quality improvement principles and tools to improve performance
at all levels and in all parts of the organization
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Develop and implement administrative processes that assure the
collection and reporting of appropriate data needed for continuous quality
improvement efforts
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Analyze information and data from all parts of the organization to
assess overall organizational health and changing organizational needs,
and progress relative to performance goals and strategic objectives; share
and use the information to support decision-making
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Use public health standards, best practices, benchmarking, research
data, trend analysis and customer input to assess and improve services and
agency operations.
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Evaluate emergency response drills (or actual response) to identify
needed internal and external improvements (PHEPR)
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Results-based Accountability
Definition: Managing strategic use of resources to set direction, ensure
cost-efficient and effective operations, establish systems that track and
monitor strategic objectives and outcomes, and deliver results
Plan; deploy resources, and monitor costs, activities and results to carry
out mandates, priorities and policies in a cost-effective manner
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Develop a strategic plan that identifies goals, objectives and
performance measures, and has a process to monitor and evaluate
achievements
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Determine budget priorities and assure the budget is aligned with the
agency strategic plan
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Evaluate resource utilization
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Use program evaluation and cost-efficiency, cost-effectiveness,
cost-benefit and cost-utility analyses) to monitor and evaluate
effectiveness of results and adjust as indicated
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Develop, maintain and evaluate written program and administrative
policies, procedures and protocols
Administer/manage financial and contract systems and processes
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Describe fiscal accountability within the context of public health
funding and agency performance
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Manage budget processes, including budget development, monitoring and
reporting
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Manage contract processes, including negotiation, billing, compliance
with contract requirements, tracking and monitoring costs and
deliverables, and reporting
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Allocate and monitor expenditures to ensure cost-efficient support of
programs and policies
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Identify, interpret and apply federal and state regulations and local
policies that impact grants, contracts, and development of fees and
sliding fee schedules.
Administer/manage personnel systems and processes
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Describe how the skills and actions of various professions and a diverse
public health workforce contribute to performance of the public health
mission
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Establish and reinforce an environment that encourages employee
initiative, decision-making and innovation.
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Implement appropriate administrative tools, processes, and local
policies for recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and terminating staff
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Access, interpret, and apply information related to state regulations
and requirements for licensure, certification, registration and
professional practice for multiple disciplines working in public health
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Access, interpret and apply federal and state laws and regulations that
impact personnel.
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Manage labor relations effectively and appropriately address union
contract issues
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Establish and maintain protocols to address public health needs required
during an emergency, including 24/7 availability of specific staff and
specialists, public health surge capacity, and use of volunteers (PHEPR)
Administer/manage systems and processes related to property, facilities
and risk
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Develop and implement effective, cost-efficient policies and procedures
for procurement, maintenance, and control of agency property, facilities,
grounds, equipment and other resources.
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Access, interpret, and implement ADA, HIPAA and other federal, state and
local laws and regulations that apply to agency facilities.
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Identify financial and operational risk and develop and implement
appropriate risk management strategies for the agency or functional area
of responsibility
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Develop and implement policies and procedures addressing federal, state
and local health and safety regulations
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Specify safety measures to be taken by public health responders in an
emergency event, including use of personal protective equipment (PHEPR)
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Visionary Leadership
Definition: Taking the long-term view and initiating change to move the
organization toward the future; building vision with others and
capitalizing on opportunities to move the organization and/or the
community toward the vision.
Use political, communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills to effect
change and influence the use of community resources to promote the public
health mission
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Create a culture of ethical standards within the organization
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Facilitate creation of a shared vision and values and use these
principles to guide action
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Keep the mission in focus and coach, inspire and motivate others to
accomplish the mission
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Identify personal leadership style and determine the strengths and
limits of this style
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Adapt leadership style as needed for various situations, (e.g. crisis
leadership for emergency preparedness and response, collaborative
leadership for building community involvement and partnerships,) (PHEPR)
Develop new insights into situations; apply innovative solutions, and
model innovative practices in making organizational improvements
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