Public Health Core Competencies (PHCC)
OPHA plays a leadership role in identifying and promoting core competencies in the Public Health sector as part of its strategic commitment to strengthen the public health workforce. OPHA also plays a key role in identifying and addressing gaps in the sector, which compromise the health of Ontarians.
OPHA seeks to create professional development opportunities by building mechanisms and tools that will enable Public Health professionals to optimize their skills and share their expertise. The goal of the core competency initiative is to enhance the Public Health System by utilizing the core competencies to develop recruitement, education, training and performance management tools and strategies to enhance public health practice.
Objectives
- Promote the adoption of public health core competencies among public health professionals, and by organizations that train and employ public health professionals;
- Build bridges across experience and expertise by creating interdisciplinary mentorship opportunities within the sector;
- Develop leading-edge solutions to gaps in professional practice in public health;
- Support the development of discipline-specific and program-specific competencies as opportunities arise.
Development Timeline
Since 2003 when the Core Competencies Task Group was formed, several initiatives have been undertaken as the group continues to direct various competency projects. For detailed year-by-year outcomes, please download the Core Competency Development Timelines [PDF] document.
OPHA continues to seek funding to support the implementation of core competencies and support public health professional practice.
PHCC in Action
The Public Health Core Competencies program has developed several resources facilitate the incorporation of core competencies in the work of public health practitioners:
- the Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada - Orientation Module;
- the Competency Based Performance Management Toolkit for Public Health;
- the Fostering Leadership in Public Health through Mentoring: A Program Resource Guide, produced by the Healthforce Leadership Mentorship Project.
Impact
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the public health practitioners in Ontario acknowledge OPHA as a leader in the development and adoption of public health core competencies. This is evidenced by their requests for OPHA involvement in the roll-out of public health core competencies in Ontario. Public Health competencies will help professionals serve their communities more effectively and contribute to the improvement of the health of the population.