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Bioterrorism and Emergency Readiness: Competencies for all Public Health Workers
Title: Bioterrorism and Emergency Readiness: Competencies for all Public Health Workers
Authors: N/A
Date: November 2002
Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Bibliographic Entry: Bioterrorism and Emergency Readiness: Competencies for all Public Health Workers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 2002. http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/downloads/BioTerrorism%20and%20Emergency%20Readiness.pdf (accessed July 9, 2007).
Electronic Link: http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/downloads/BioTerrorism%20and%20Emergency%20Readiness.pdf
Key Words: Public Health Preparedness, Emergency Preparedness, Worker Competencies, Communications, Bioterrorism Preparedness
Summary of Key Issues, Points, Conclusions:
This document includes a variety of competencies for healthcare workers. These apply to both basic emergency preparedness and bioterrorist events. According to the CDC, these can be used to update job descriptions, outline needs for employee orientations and training as well as for a self assessment by health employees.
There are basic competencies for all health care workers which include the following:
1. Describing the public health role in emergency response
2. Describing the chain of command
3. Identify and locate the agency emergency response plan
4. Describe and demonstrate ones role in the response
5. Demonstrate correct utilization of communication equipment
6. Describe communication roles during the response
7. Identify one’s own limits in knowledge and or skills
8. Recognize unusual events and describe appropriate response
9. Apply creative problem solving and thinking and evaluate actions taken.
In addition to these basic competencies, specific roles are defined for public health leaders, administrators, technical support and staff.
Name of Researcher: Tricia L. Salzar
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: Nov. 20, 2007