The anatomy of a competency

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Nursing Education
• Professional Competence

Background:

• Healthcare organizations face increasing demands for standardized competence validation.
• The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) mandates specific standards for assessing healthcare professionals.
• Competency-based orientation is a widely adopted strategy to meet these accreditation requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide educators with a foundational understanding of written competencies.
• To guide educators in the development of well-written competencies for orientation programs.
• To offer practical suggestions for validating both initial and ongoing professional competence.

Main Methods:

• This article is a conceptual and practical guide.
• It outlines the fundamental components of a competency statement.
• It provides strategies for developing and validating competencies.

Main Results:

• Clear, well-written competencies are crucial for effective assessment.
• A structured approach facilitates the development of valid competencies.
• Methods for initial and continued competence validation are essential.

Conclusions:

• Educators can effectively implement competency-based orientation by mastering the development of written competencies.
• Well-defined competencies serve as vital tools for assessing and validating healthcare professional competence.
• This approach supports compliance with accreditation standards and enhances patient care quality.