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MSP competency: The key to success

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, October 16, 2008

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Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS, is a consultant with The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro, Inc. specializing in the areas of credentialing and privileging.

Dear credentialing colleague:

When we think about the essential elements of a high functioning, truly effective medical staff services department or credentialing office, we recognize the role of the MSP as a pivotal one. To be able to answer the question, “What would a progressive medical staff services department or credentialing office look like if it continuously fulfilled its mission in patient safety?” we must also define the areas of general competencies considered necessary for MSPs.

The MSP fills a vital role as the main resource to the senior administration and to medical staff leadership in the areas of:

• Practitioner competency (credentialing and privileging)
• Accreditation, regulatory, and internal compliance
• Legal principles of credentialing
• Implementation and development of credentialing and privileging systems
• Orientation and development of medical staff leaders

As a consultant, being able to provide professional guidance to fellow MSPs provides a great deal of satisfaction. Establishing general competencies and defining measurable elements that identify what makes an excellent MSP ultimately will help the field achieve apposite recognition.

Whereas job descriptions define a position by listing specific roles, responsibilities, and functions, competencies typically identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the specific tasks and responsibilities that comprise a particular job or profession. The following six areas provide a framework for defining the dimensions of performance, or competencies, for MSPs:

• Managerial expertise
• Professional knowledge
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Professionalism
• Practice based learning and performance improvement
• Systems based skills

Editor’s note: This week’s column is an excerpt from the MSP Competency: The Key to Success white paper. To access the entire white paper, please email Associate Editor Emily Berry at eberry@hcpro.com.

Remember, credentialing has no other master than the patient.

That’s all for this week.

All the best,

Sally J. Pelletier, CPMSM, CPCS
http://www.greeley.com/consulting.cfm

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