HR Leader Model

ASHHRA has developed an HR leader model to identify the core competencies for HR leaders in healthcare in order to help guide members to bridge the gap to reach these competencies.

The new chapter management award program is aligned with the model. In order to assist chapters interpret the model and to guide them in their conference planning and completion of chapter management award submission, we have created this list of sample competencies that would fit under each category. This list is not exhaustive. There will be overlap between categories, and several could fall in multiple areas, based on the type of content in the presentation. These were developed by reviewing recent presentations at state and national conferences. It is hoped that this will provide guidance and a framework for chapter leaders.

1. Reach Beyond the Expected – HR Delivery

Although effective administration has always been the expected norm, HR Leaders are now required to raise their skills – in recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, human resources development, employee and labor relations, regulations, compliance, and more. The “new” expectations for HR delivery demand effective and high-quality programs and services through the utilization of measurement and analysis. HR delivers through:

-- Systems and Services-- Transactional Work

-- Technology Systems and Solutions-- Compliance

-- Metrics and Benchmarking

Sample topics in this competency are:

  • Retirement Plans
  • Benefits
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Turnover / retention strategies
  • Compensation, Wage and Salary
  • Recruitment
  • Background Screening
  • Performance Evaluation /Management Process
  • Competencies
  • Needs Assessments
  • Training and Development
  • Retention strategies
  • Using social media for recruitment
  • Corrective action process / disciplining
  • Conducting an investigation
  • Dealing with employees covered by union contracts
  • Legal issues (such as updates on FMLA, ADA, FLSA)
  1. Embrace New Learning – Healthcare Business Knowledge

Knowing the “business” side of healthcare requires that HR Leaders shape strategies through seasoned judgment and visionary insight. As HR transitions to this new role, HR Leaders will be called upon to demonstrate healthcare business knowledge by:

  • Understanding the delivery of healthcare from the perspective of consumers, employees, payers, physicians and regulators
  • Supporting and exhibiting cross-functional capabilities
  • Applying best practices throughout the organization

Sample topics in this competency are:

  • Patient Safety
  • Quality Improvement
  • Quality Clinical Patient Care
  • Advocacy
  • Regulatory Compliance (Joint Commission, etc.)
  • Workforce Development
  • Marketplace Knowledge
  • Relationships with disciplines
  • Financial Knowledge
  • Technology
  • Trends in Healthcare
  • Strategic Planning
  • Metrics – workforce supply/demand
  • Union avoidance
  • Collaborating with a healthcare professional group (e.g., RN) to deal with behavior and other issues
  • Becoming an Employer of Choice
  1. Raise Your Voice – Community Citizenship

By understanding the needs of different stakeholders and by being capable of responding to those needs, HR Leaders are invaluable resources for their organizations. As community citizens, they:

  • Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders by connecting community to business results
  • Convene diverse groups to engage them in dialogue about the role of healthcare in the community
  • Partner with external communities to promote the development and growth of healthcare careers
  • Personally participate in professional organizations, networks, and community boards

Sample topics in this competency are:

  • Networking ( schools, academic community, government agencies, community organizations)
  • Outreach Projects
  • Collaborations with other PMGs and/or state hospital associations
  • Diverse Cultural Learnings
  • Disaster planning
  • Updates from legislative representatives
  • Collaborations with other professional groups, e.g, RN, Lab
  1. Lead With Your Heart – People Strategies

When HR leads the way, employee recruitment, retention and satisfaction grow, and business results improve. To ensure the alignment of business strategies with organizational culture, HR Leaders focus on people strategies to:

  • Capture the hearts and minds of their people – to create the desired culture
  • Foster meaningful work that supports a high performance environment and effective delivery of care
  • Create operating models and structures that support the alignment of people, strategies and culture
  • Develop value-based leaders who have the ability to create a shared vision that delivers results for the organization
  • Attract and develop a diverse workforce that meets both the needs of patients and the community
  • Ensure that their organizations have talent management and succession planning in place to sustain delivery of care

Sample topics in this competency are:

  • Diversity
  • Retention
  • Wellness
  • Communication Skills
  • Organizational Change
  • Employer Branding/Preferred Employer
  • Career Development for Employees
  • Succession Planning/Talent Development
  • Employee Satisfaction / Engagement
  • Reward and Recognition
  • Work / Life Balance
  • EAP Programs
  • Using Social Media for Employment Decisions
  • Working with Unions
  1. Exemplify Excellence – Personal Leadership

More than any other group, HR is better equipped to address issues of integrity such as ethics, honesty, accountability and business practices. HR Leaders reflect personal leadership through integrity and courage when they:

  • Champion the mission and vision of their organizations
  • Display passionate dedication to the mission of healthcare, especially in the care of patients and families
  • Inspire, influence and motivate others
  • Build trust through collaboration and consultation with stakeholders within the organization
  • Model transformational thinking and continuous improvement
  • Focus on achieving exceptionally high standards and are accountable for results
  • Demonstrate self-awareness and self-motivation
  • Champion continuous learning and self-growth
  • Exhibit leadership through community service

Sample topics in this competency are:

  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Self Awareness Education and Tools
  • Ethics/Integrity/Values
  • Leadership Development / Employee Engagement
  • Inspirational Speakers
  • Visionary
  • Accountability
  • Feedback Skills ( delivering and receiving)
  • Critical Conversations
  • Coaching
  • Mentoring
  • Organizational Development