Lab Matters Summer 2025 | Page 33

GLOBAL HEALTH

By Hewan Moges, specialist, Global Health; Reshma Kakkar, senior manager, Global Health; and Matthew McCarroll, principal specialist, Global Health

Yogi Berra famously said,“ If you don’ t know where you are going, you’ ll end up someplace else.” The Laboratory Workforce Competencies Assessment Tool is an online application for laboratory personnel to create developmental plans by identifying gaps in knowledge, skills and abilities. Originally developed by state public health laboratories in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention( CDC) and APHL, the tool was recently adapted to a global context through several rounds of review by global health subject matter experts and developed into an online format that could be deployed within countries. Transformation of the Public Health Laboratory Competencies into a globally relevant online format was timely as laboratories universally face rising demands for skilled staff, quality assurance and efficient service delivery, especially amid health crises.

The tool provides a framework for evaluating 15 domains within three broad categories: General, Crosscutting Technical and Specialized. Sub-domains within General include Quality Management Systems, Workforce Training, Emergency Management Response, Communications, Security, Management & Leadership and Ethics. The Cross-cutting Technical domain focuses on General Laboratory Practice, Safety, Surveillance and Informatics. The Specialized domain includes Microbiology, Chemistry, Bioinformatics and Research.

The first iteration of the online tool currently includes the Informatics domain, while the additional domains continue to be developed. This version provides assessors and users with a framework to:

• Outline informatics knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for laboratory professionals to deliver laboratory services efficiently.

• Enhance quality improvement, personnel management and workforce development.

• Create personal development plans that address gaps in informatics knowledge.

• Initiate specific informatics training needs at the organizational and individual level.

• Articulate staff performance expectations related to informatics.

• Assess individual staff performance.

• Develop standardized position descriptions that incorporate informatics.

Users can conduct workforce competency assessments and view results within facilities and across a jurisdiction, either as a one-time assessment or to compare assessments over time. The tool operationalizes guidelines through key features like secure data storage, user-focused design and phased maturity models.

Implementation of the Workforce Competencies

The Workforce Competencies was developed using a three-phase approach:

1. Pilot the tool in selected countries.

2. Make additional enhancements and configurations to the tool, using piloting feedback as a guide.

3. Transition the tool to the respective Ministries of Health and provide them full ownership and training on using and maintaining the tool.

Pilot users gained insights into the process of online tool development, key technical requirements and the global application of this framework to enhance workforce skills and laboratory standards. The pilot was rolled out in Kenya and Zambia. The tool was introduced to each Ministry of Health through a three-day, hands-on workshop in which representatives from national and regional laboratories were able to familiarize themselves with the tool and begin to use it for their facilities.

For questions or to learn more about the Workforce Competencies tool, please contact Hewan Moges, specialist, Global Health, hewan. moges @ aphl. org. g

We acknowledge the pioneering impact made by APHL’ s member-state public health laboratories, which has enabled the development of the current global online workforce compentency tool. Its capability to aid any jurisdiction or country enhances workforce competency, which is essential for effective surveillance, emergency response and public health initiatives. The tool is vital to supporting worldwide critical health infrastructure and data-driven decision-making, while adapting to future laboratory needs, elevating laboratory efficiency.