MPH Core Competencies in Public Health
| Analytic/Assessment Skills |
|---|
| Defines a problem |
| Determines appropriate uses and limitations of both quantitative and qualitative data |
| Selects and defines variables relevant to defined public health problems |
| Identifies relevant and appropriate data and information sources |
| Evaluates the integrity and comparability of data and identifies gaps in data sources |
| Applies ethical principles to the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information |
| Partners with communities to attach meaning to collected quantitative and qualitative data |
| Makes relevant inferences from quantitative and qualitative data |
| Obtains and interprets information regarding risks and benefits to the community |
| Applies data collection processes, information technology applications, and computer systems storage/retrieval strategies |
| Recognizes how the data illuminates ethical, political, scientific, economic, and overall public health issues |
| Policy Development/Program Planning Skills |
| Collects, summarizes, and interprets information relevant to an issue |
| States policy options and writes clear and concise policy statements |
| Identifies, interprets, and implements public health laws, regulations, and policies related to specific programs |
| Articulates the health, fiscal, administrative, legal, social, and political implications of each policy option |
| States the feasibility and expected outcomes of each policy option |
| Utilizes current techniques in decision analysis and health planning |
| Decides on the appropriate course of action |
| Develops a plan to implement policy, including goals, outcome and process objectives, and implementation steps |
| Translates policy into organizational plans, structures, and programs |
| Prepares and implements emergency response plans |
| Develops mechanisms to monitor and evaluate programs for their effectiveness and quality |
| Communication Skills |
| Communicates effectively both in writing and orally, or in other ways |
| Solicits input from individuals and organizations |
| Advocates for public health programs and resources |
| Leads and participates in groups to address specific issues |
| Uses the media, advanced technologies, and community networks to communicate information |
| Effectively presents accurate demographic, statistical, programmatic, and scientific information for professional and lay audiences |
| Attitudes |
| Listens to others in an unbiased manner, respects points of view of others, and promotes the expression of diverse opinions and perspectives |
| Cultural Competency Skills |
| Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences |
| Identifies the role of cultural, social, and behavioral factors in determining the delivery of public health services |
| Develops and adapts approaches to problems that take into account cultural differences |
| Attitudes |
| Understands the dynamic forces contributing to cultural diversity |
| Understands the importance of a diverse public health workforce |
| Community Dimensions of Practice Skills |
| Establishes and maintains linkages with key stakeholders |
| Utilizes leadership, team building, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to build community partnerships |
| Collaborates with community partners to promote the health of the population |
| Idenitifies how public and private organizations operate within a community |
| Accomplishes effective community engagements |
| Identifies community assets and available resources |
| Develops, implements, and evaluates a community public health assessment |
| Describes the role of government in the delivery of community health services |
| Basic Public Health Sciences Skills |
| Identifies the individual's and organization's responsibilities within the context of the Essential Public Health Services and core functions |
| Defines, assesses, and understands 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 |
| Understands the historical development, structure, and interaction of public health and health care systems |
| Identifies and applies basic research methods used in public health |
| Applies the basic public health sciences including behavioral and social sciences, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental public health, and prevention of chronic and infectious diseases and injuries |
| Identifies and retrieves current relevant scientific evidence |
| Identifies the limitations of research and the importance of observations and interrelationships |
| Attitudes |
| Develops a lifelong commitment to rigorous critical thinking |
| Financial Planning and Management Skills |
| Develops and presents a budget |
| Manages programs within budget constraints |
| Applies budget processes |
| Develops strategies for determining budget priorities |
| Monitors program performance |
| Prepares proposals for funding from external sources |
| Applies basic human relations skills to the management of organizations, motivation of personnel, and resolution of conflicts |
| Manages information systems for collection, retrieval, and use of data for decision-making |
| Negotiates and develops contracts and other documents for the provision of population-based services |
| Conducts cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility analyses |
| Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills |
| Creates a culture of ethical standards within organizations and communities |
| Helps create key values and shared vision and uses these principles to guide action |
| Identifies internal and external issues that may impact delivery of essential public health services (i.e., strategic planning) |
| Facilitates collaboration with internal and external groups to ensure participation of key stakeholders |
| Promotes team and organizational learning |
| Contributes to development, implementation, and monitoring of organizational performance standards |
| Uses the legal and political system to effect change |
| Applies theory of organizational structures to professional practice |