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Competency Based Standards
WHAT IS COMPETENCY?
Competency has been defined as "the ability to perform the activities within an occupation or function to the standard expected in employment" (National Competency Standards Policy and Guidelines, National Training Board 1991).
Thus, the term "competency" embodies attributes such as knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes required in professional practice.
Competency may be core, general or task-specific. Examples of core competencies are literacy, numeracy, reliability, communication skills and ability to work in teams. These are assumed to be present and are not further described in these standards.
The original CBS and draft document (see right hand of page) concentrates on the general competencies for Medical Scientists. In contrast, task-specific competencies refer to individual disciplines (eg haematology, microbiology) and would be described in Range Statements and Cues.
Although the competencies described are for Medical Scientists they are not all exclusive to this group; some, (eg. technical procedures, interpretation, clerical work) would be common to several groups, but practised in different contexts.
