Using information technology to strengthen the public health workforce

Recent updates to the New York State (NYS) Sanitary Code establish new job definitions, minimum qualifications and training requirements for key public health positions at local health departments (LHDs). These amendments ensure that LHDs are able to fill, and retain, positions with competent and well trained staff. To help implement the new credentialing standards, NYS is using a web-based Learning Management System (LMS). Through the LMS users can engage in self-directed study; complete competency self-assessments resulting in targeted course recommendations; or follow prescribed paths to access competency-based coursework and curriculums to meet their credentialing needs. Per changes to the Sanitary Code, as of August 20, 2008, all NYS Public Health Educators are required to complete 15 credit hours of continuing education during their first year of service. To simplify the credentialing process, a panel of veteran academic and state/local public health educators vetted courses and developed a curriculum deployed through the LMS. These curriculum courses are also linked to a competency self-assessment that can be used by educators to self-assess, identify and fill knowledge gaps. To help develop staff for leadership positions, a three-tiered competency set is available for self-assessment and is linked to vetted courses hosted through the LMS. A hybrid of these two approaches is planned for Public Health Nurses. These efforts demonstrate that a combination of regulation, collaboration and information technology can strengthen workforce development efforts, increase access to training, and provide context for the use of various combinations of competencies and curriculum to meet credentialing needs.