Competency: What Is It?

Oct. 27, 2023

Q: “We just had a staff meeting and our manager told us that ‘Results from a recent survey of the department stated we need to have more competency for the staff and the work they do.’ Do you know how many competencies a department should have?”

A:

Great question! I think competencies go hand in hand with certification. I call them my “C²” (certification/competency). I will explain why in later articles. 

Most medical facilities want Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) accreditation. To receive this, they will use various organizations to survey their facilities. If deemed “approved,” the facility will receive CMS certification. 

When searching the various CMS standards, it is difficult to find our profession outlined; specifically (31-9093.00 - Medical Equipment Preparers). Yes, that is what we are called by the U.S. Federal Government.1,2,3,4 Remember, this is what your Human Resources Department will reference when conducting a wage analysis. If you have not visited the U.S. Bureau of Labor’s website (bls.gov), I advise you do.1 

31-9093.00 - Medical Equipment Preparers states that staff: “Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.” Samples of reported job titles for this type of position are a) Central Processing Technician (CPT), b) Central Service Technician (CST), c) Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician), d) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), e) Instrument Technician, f) Sterile Preparation Technician, g) Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (SPD Technician), h) Sterile Processing Technician, i) Sterile Technician, and j) Sterilization Technician.2,3 

Our critical thinking must take over for the next step, in defining competency. How is nursing competency defined by CMS, and then by some of the surveying organizations? “Why nursing?” you ask. In my investigation, we would fall under support staff for nursing in the various guidelines and nursing has some of the most published articles on this topic. 

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) states, “A competency is a measurable pattern of knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviors, and other characteristics that an individual needs to perform work roles or occupational functions successfully.”5 This is repeated throughout the CMS DEFINITIONS §483.35.6,7 

One of the surveying organizations (The Joint Commission [TJC]) says the following on this subject. “While not formally defined, competency may be described as a combination of observable and measurable knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal attributes that constitute an employee's performance. The goal is that the employee can demonstrate the required attributes to deliver safe, quality care. Competency assessment timeframes may vary greatly based on the individual's entry skill level and the complexity of the task(s) the individual will be required to safely perform. … Competency assessment then focuses on specific knowledge, technical skills, and abilities required to deliver safe, quality care.”8 

Documenting that staff attended in-service training, listened to a lecture, or watched a webinar may not be enough for demonstrating competency. It is best to collect metrics on how staff have integrated the knowledge and skills that were the subject of the activity. Staff already deemed competent in these skill areas must assess and evaluate fellow staff to see if they understand and can apply the knowledge gained to their work practice. 

So, now the issues to address:

·        How many competencies does a department need or should have?

·        How does your department develop competency for staff?

·        How does your department demonstrate the staff’s specific task or skill? 

That is in next month’s article to help answer this question correctly. 

References (APA Style 7th Edition):
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, April 25 last modified). Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers. BLS. Retrieved August 28, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319093.htm.
2. National Center for O*NET Development. (2023). Medical Equipment Preparers - 31-9093.00. O*NET OnLine. Retrieved August 28, 2023, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9093.00.
3. National Center for O*NET Development. (2023). Medical Equipment Preparers - 31-9093.00. O*NET OnLine. Retrieved August 28, 2023, from https://www.onetcodeconnector.org/ccreport/31-9093.00.
4. U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. (2023). Medical Equipment Preparers. CareerOneStop, Retrieved August 28, 2023, from https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=31-9093.00&onetcode=31-9093.00&location=33301&onet=31-9093.00.
5. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. (2023). Competencies. OPM, Retrieved August 28, 2023, from https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/competencies/#:~:text=A%20competency%20is%20a%20measurable,to%20do%20the%20job%20successfully.
6. Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition). (2019). Title 42: Public Health. Chapter IV - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS, Subchapter G - Standards and Certification, Part 483 - Requirements for States and Long-Term Care Facilities, Subpart B: Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities, § 483.35 - Nursing Services. Ed. 2019, Oct 1. p89-91. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title42-vol5/pdf/CFR-2019-title42-vol5-sec483-35.pdf.
7. Nursing Services, 42 C.F.R.§ 483 (2019).https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-B/section-483.35.
8. TJC. (2017, Aug 28). Office Based Surgery, Ch. Human Resources (HR), Competency Assessment vs Orientation. Last reviewed 2022, April 18. Oakbrook Terrace, IL: The Joint Commission. https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/standard-faqs/office-based-surgery/human-resources-hr/000002152/
About the Author

Stephen M. Kovach

Stephen M Kovach, BS, CFER, started in the medical field in 1975 as a sterilization orderly and has worked in many positions within the Healthcare Industry. He presently is Clinical Educator Emeritus at Healthmark, A Getinge company

Photo courtesy: North Shore University HealthSystem, HPN’s 2022 SPD of the Year
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