Volunteer Core Competencies

 

Why have “core competencies”?

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) members come from a variety of backgrounds, entering the program with varying credentials, capabilities and professional experience. There are currently no national standard MRC training requirements; hence, there is variation in what each MRC unit, or individual volunteer is able to do. Diversity among units and volunteers is one of the “strengths” of the MRC program, but this also makes standardization among MRCs a challenge.

In order for an MRC unit to fulfill its mission in the community, members of the MRC need to be competent to carry out a variety of selected responsibilities. Thus, the development of a set of basic MRC “core competencies” provides many benefits. Core training creates a foundation for volunteers, including basic emergency knowledge, as well as useful skills and abilities, defining a standard set of activities that each MRC member would be able to perform. Core competencies also provide a framework for National MRC training components, and assists in describing what communities can expect of their MRC units. This ‘uniformity’ may allow for better interoperability between MRC units and volunteers, as well as making collaboration amongst MRC units and their external partners more efficient.

The use of “core competencies” have proven effective in other public health and community outreach venues, and should translate well to the work of MRC units.

 

What is meant by “Competencies”?

Competency statements describe expected behavior on the part of an individual. A competency can be composed of either specific, or a range of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and are an observable or measurable action.  Every competency statement includes an action statement and the result, or goal, of that action. Broad competency statements are most useful for position descriptions or role assignments, and are generally measurable over longer time spans.  Narrow competencies are useful in training classes, or shorter time spans of observation.

 

Please contact your MRC unit leader for more information.