Assessing Training Needs and Competency Gaps in Food Protection Staff

Authors

William A. Mase, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public HealthFollow
Bobbie J. Newell, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
H. Pamela Pagano, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Jessica Arrazola, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2017

Publication Title

Journal of Environmental Health

ISSN

0022-0892

Abstract

This study assessed the training needs and knowledge gaps across five competency domains among the food protection staff of the Cincinnati Health Department. The five overarching competency domains assessed included 1) scientific knowledge; 2) foodborne illness knowledge, rules, and regulations; 3) temperature and storage; 4) inspection equipment; and 5) communication. A full network workforce assessment was conducted in a 3-year prospective longitudinal study design. Key findings show that competency areas identified as needing attention improved over time. The domain that consistently showed the highest percentage of workforce needing improvement was foodborne illness knowledge, rules, and regulations.

Recommended Citation

Mase, William A., Bobbie J. Newell, H. Pamela Pagano, Jessica Arrazola. 2017. "Assessing Training Needs and Competency Gaps in Food Protection Staff." Journal of Environmental Health, 80 (4): 30-35.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/hpmb-facpubs/36