4186.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #6412

Core Competencies in Environmental Health: Assessing Technical Competence

Gary Coleman, President, National Environmental Health Association, National Environmental Health Association, 110 Lansbrook Lane, Apex, NC 27502, 919-549-1732, colemang@ul.com

There are many new and re-emerging challenges facing local environmental health programs. These challenges require a workforce prepared to address them. The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is the professional association for all environmental health professionals. NEHA has been and continues to be a leader in identifying and supporting environmental health professionals. This is especially true for the technical competencies needed to address the environmental health challenges of the 21st century. NEHA recently participated on an expert panel to develop guidelines for the core competencies to practice environmental health at the local level. The panel built on the previous work of NEHA to identify additional competencies. In this session, a method of measuring the local environmental health workforce's technical competency will be reviewed as well as how such a method can be implemented at the local level. The importance of the past and future work of establishing and implementing technical competencies will be reviewed. In addition, the need for technical competencies as part of the core competencies to practice local environmental health will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. recognize the importance of technical competency in for environmental health professionals at the local level; 2. discuss how technical competency can be measured; and, 3. identify ways by which technical competency can be assured at the local level

Keywords: Environmental Health, Competency

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA