Standard Competencies Framework for the Immunization Workforce, Developing standardized competencies to strengthen immunization systems and workforce

To be useful, competencies are not developed in a vacuum. The competencies framework links the competencies of the workforce to the objectives of an organization, both for planning and for monitoring. Organizations, such as an immunization program, define objectives based on their mission. They determine the attributes that would indicate they are meeting their objectives at an agreed-upon level of quality. Based on those attributes, they are able to identify the work functions that are needed to produce quality outputs as well as the competencies that are needed to do the work. Competencies inform key aspects of the human resources function in an organization. Competencies can be used to determine whether work functions are being accomplished to the standards of quality that have been set, and can demonstrate if the organization is meeting its objectives.