Ensuring the Competence of Licensed Clinical Professionals within the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Public Health agencies play a critical role in promoting and protecting the health of all Americans.  The public health workforce must have the necessary and sustainable competencies to respond to current and emerging health threats.  Los Angeles County (LA County), with a population of over 10 million residents spanning across 4000 square miles and 88 cities, is faced with a diverse array of public health priorities and challenges. Licensed Clinical Professionals (LCP) (i.e., physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, and licensed vocational nurses) comprise 20% of the nearly 4000 workforce members in LA County Department of Public Health (DPH). They are often called on during public health emergencies to utilize basic clinical skills that are not routinely used in daily public health assigned duties. To ensure a competent clinical workforce, DPH implemented a series of clinical competency assessments to assure the licensed clinical workforce has the basic clinical skills necessary to respond during a public health emergency. The Assessments consisted of a written examination that assessed LCP knowledge of Infection Control, Medication Administration, Injection Techniques, and Management of Anaphylaxis. Hand Hygiene, FluMist administration, and IM injection skills demonstrations were also assessed. A total of 814 LCPs were assessed during 2014.  The process, plan, and results of the assessment will be shared along with lessons learned and next steps.