October 2009 - Program Updates

Competency Based Performance Management – Investing in the Public Health Workforce

At the recent Association of Public Health Business Administrators (AOPHBA) Annual Conference, held on September 21st, 2009, OPHA and the partners of the Competency Based Performance Management Project for Public Health launched the Competency Based Performance Management Toolkit for Public Health.

Working in collaboration with experienced consultants in the area of competency based performance management and funded by HealthForceOntario, the toolkit was developed, pilot tested and validated for use by public health professionals. This toolkit will enhance existing human resource practices and increase workforce capacity by integrating the Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada into performance management systems.

The practical, ready to use, tools and resources, and accompanying guides that comprise the toolkit are divided into 3 sections for practical application:

Section 1

Leader’s Guide to Implementing Competency Based Performance Management for Public Health provides organizational leaders with a comprehensive overview of how to implement a competency based performance management system.
Section 2

Competency Based Performance Management for Public Health: A Guidebook for Managers & Employees provides managers and employees with a comprehensive overview of competency based performance management.
Section 3 Competency Based Performance Management Tools & Resources for Public Health provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources that will support managers and employees with the performance management cycle; performance planning, on-going review and feedback and performance evaluation.

The project partners invite you to explore the toolkit and consider adopting the system “as is” or adapting it to meet the unique needs of your public health unit. The toolkit is available on the OPHA website in both PDF and WORD format at: www.opha.on.ca/programs/phcc/toolkit.shtml . CDs of the Competency Based Performance Management Toolkit for Public Health will be available free of charge in late October, 2009. Please contact Tina Wadham, Project Coordinator to order one today. For other toolkit inquiries please contact Colleen McBride, Manager, Human Resources of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit at cmcbride@hkpr.on.ca .

The project steering committee will be presenting the Competency Based Performance Management Toolkit for Public Health at the upcoming OPHA Conference: Building for the Future, November 1–4, 2009 at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre, and they are planning to host a webinar for interested health units late in 2009 or early 2010.