Assessment of Core and Functional Competencies of Technical Personnel of the Center for Health Development Calabarzon, Philippines

  • Eleanor C. Castillo Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Carl Abelardo T. Antonio Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines Manila, Philippines; Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
  • Racel G. Carreon Administrative Office, Management Support Division, Center for Health Development IV-A, Quezon City, Philippines
  • Jennifer Christina T. Tiu Human Resource Development Service, Management Support Division, Center for Health Development IV-A, Quezon City, Philippines
  • Ma. Sophia Graciela L. Reyes College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Romeo R. Quizon Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Ernesto R. Gregorio Jr. Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
Keywords: in-service training, staff development, educational needs assessment, Philippines

Abstract

Objective. To assess the competency levels of the technical staff of the Center for Health Development Calabarzon (CHD 4A) to inform the development of a human resource management plan.

Methods. A cross-sectional assessment design to determine the CHD 4A technical staff's competency level was utilized. The team from the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila invited all the CHD 4A technical staff to complete a self-assessment using the Learning and Development Needs Assessment Tool (LDNA) (version 3-45), rating their perceived competency and the level of importance to their functions on core and functional competencies stipulated in the Department of Health Compendium of Competency Standards. Gaps were identified by comparing perceived competency levels with a predetermined standard for each agency's salary grade or position.

Results. All 67 technical staff took part in the assessment. Entry- and senior-level professionals had minimal deviations from predetermined standards, with gaps in quality service focus and teamwork for the former and planning and political savvy for the latter. In contrast, mid-career professionals had larger gaps in magnitude and number than entry and senior-level staff – the largest being on results orientation – reflective of newly-promoted staff's adjustment period. Of note, these gaps were based on the prevailing competency standards in force at the time of assessment in 2015. Findings may need to be revisited when the agency updates the core and functional competency standards.

Conclusion. The participants perceived core and functional competencies as important, with the level of perceived importance increasing as the salary bracket increases. Core competency gaps were widest in integrity and quality service focus. Simultaneously, results orientation, and planning and organizing were the functional competencies that registered the widest gap and prioritized. Training needs assessments should be conducted in times of change to ensure an organization's training programs' relevance and to develop peak-level employee performance.

Published
2021-10-25
How to Cite
1.
Castillo EC, Antonio CAT, Carreon RG, Tiu JCT, Reyes MSGL, Quizon RR, Gregorio Jr. ER. Assessment of Core and Functional Competencies of Technical Personnel of the Center for Health Development Calabarzon, Philippines. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2021Oct.25 [cited 2024Mar.28];55(7). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/3004
Section
Articles