Core Competencies for AdolescentSexual and Reproductive Health

Performance Assessment andHuman Resources Toolkit

Core Competencies:

• The knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes common to all who work with adolescents in the area of reproductive health.

Who?

• The Core Competencies apply to health clinic workers, test counselors, case managers, clinicians, classroom teachers, community educators, health outreach workers etc.

• Each job will demand additional job specific or role specific competencies beyond the “core”.

52 Core Competencies

• 21 cognitive• 31 operative

• Cognitive Sub-domain -- Competencies that focus on basic facts and knowledge

• Operative Sub-domain -- Competencies that highlight the application of knowledge to performance

Assessment Principles

• Assessment of competence is best accomplished through a comprehensive approach that uses multiple methods

• Assessment should be designed to capture the complexity of learning and performance

Knowledge Assessment

• Multiple Choice Questions

• Short Answer

• Pre – Post Tests

• Essays

• Oral Presentation

Performance Assessment

• Generally involves methods of direct observation by clients, peers, supervisors

• Or practitioner generated records and products

Performance Assessment Instruments

• Pages 12-15

• Direct Observation• Supervisor Assessments• Peer Assessments• Client Surveys• 360 Degree Evaluation (Multi-Source Feedback)• Self-Assessment• Role Play Simulations

Performance Assessment Instruments

Practitioner Products:

• Client Record Audits

• Portfolio – practitioner generated

Multi-Stage Assessment

• Combines self-assessment, written examination, and direct observation of performance skill.

• Accommodates different learning styles

• Captures cognitive and operative sub-domains

• Creates a complete, integrated picture

Human Resources Toolkit

Page 17

• Job Description

• Structured Interview Guide

• Performance Descriptors

• Professional Development Plan

• Competency Assessment and Evaluation

Job Description

Page 18

• The Core Competencies can reframe a job description from a list of tasks to a performance profile.

• Identify the most salient skills, knowledge and attitudes that relate to job performance.

Job Description Samples

• Comfort and confidence discussing topics related to adolescent sexuality

• The ability to apply theories/models of behavior change as they relate to adolescents

• Communication skills that emphasize a strength-based approach to youth development

Structured Interview Guide

Page 20• How would you respond to an adolescent who

discloses sexual behavior that conflicts with your personal morality.

• Pretend that I am a 15 year-old adolescent. Explain the protection of confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality to me.

• Describe some of the common behavioral factors linking pregnancy, STIs and HIV.

Performance Descriptors

• Introductory 1

• Intermediate 2

• Competent 3

• Accomplished 4

Performance Descriptor Samples

Page 22

1 2 3 4Novice Intermediate Proficient Expert

Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Commendable Exemplary

Absent Emerging Present Strong

Professional Development Plan

Page 24

• Identifies strengths and accomplishments

• Encourages the mutual development of goals that reflect increasing competence of the Core Competencies or other job-related competencies

Competency Assessment and Evaluation Tool

Page 26

• Primary assessment tool for all 52 competencies

Applications of the Competency Assessment and Evaluation Tool

Page 26

• Self Assessment

• Performance Evaluation

• Compare Strength of Team Members

• Assess Training Needs

Competency Assessment and Evaluation Tool

• Choose an appropriate rating scale from the Performance Indicators on page 22.

• Rate the practitioner on the appropriate competencies.

Possible Indicators

A:5 Demonstrates confidence and comfort when discussing topics related to adolescent sexuality.

• Maintains a professional yet welcoming and appropriate demeanor when communicating with adolescents.

• Does not change posture or tone of voice when discussing topics related to sexuality.

• Verbal and nonverbal communication is congruent.

• Does not react negatively to sexual terminology used by youth.

Competency Assessment and Evaluation Tool

• This assessment tool is available as a Word document so that you can conveniently modify it to meet the needs of your organization.

Core Competencies for AdolescentSexual and Reproductive Health

Performance Assessment andHuman Resources Toolkit

For more information about the Core Competencies for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health contact the California Adolescent Health Collaborative website:

http://www.californiateenhealth.org