Ongoing Competency Assessment Cheat Sheet

Demystify the process with this simple outline

Are you looking to master the art of ongoing competency assessment in the healthcare realm? In this blog post, we've curated a condensed yet comprehensive outline to help you navigate this crucial process. Let's dive in!

Before you begin:

There are various competency assessment methods and terminologies to be aware of to customize your approach according to your organization's needs. Remember, this cheat sheet is your ally, but consult your organization and The Joint Commission standards for complete alignment.

Step 1 - Needs Assessment

Learn how to conduct a needs assessment to identify crucial competencies for your staff. Involve key stakeholders like lab managers, educators, and team members to brainstorm ideas and complete a needs assessment matrix..

Step 2 - Prioritize and Select

Dive into the art of prioritization, selecting 5-7 high-priority competencies based on various factors, including potential safety outcomes, low volume, and alignment with organizational initiatives.

Step 3 - Determine Assessment Approach

Explore different ways to validate competencies, such as observation, simulation, skills checklist, and more. Decide when and by whom the validation should be conducted.

Step 4 - Create Learning and Assessment

Ace your competency education with practical examples for each competency. Pair your assessment with education to enhance compliance and effectiveness.

Step 5 - Deliver and Document

Equip yourself with effective strategies to deliver education and document attendance/completion. Inject fun and excitement into the process to keep your team engaged.

Optional Next Steps

Post-Education and Validation Feedback:

Consider the significance of collecting feedback to measure the success of your training and validation process. Evaluate staff reactions and the effectiveness of training to improve future competency validation.

Create an Ongoing Competency Committee:

Take your ongoing competency assessment to the next level by forming a dedicated committee. Encourage staff development and participation by sharing this cheat sheet and setting clear expectations.

Congratulations!

You've taken the first steps towards setting up your ongoing competency assessment program! Check out our Ongoing Competency Assessment Course for a much deeper dive of this process along with many useful tools and worksheets. And be sure to sign up for updates for future course offerings!