Core Competency: Developing Leadership and Workforce

The Flex Program and CAHs rely on leadership and a skilled workforce to advance program goals and deliver high-quality, high-value care for patients. High turnover challenges many state Flex Programs and CAHs. However, with strong leadership, planning, data collection, analysis, and a focus on workforce development, program goals can be set, advanced, and achieved.

Leaders set direction by building and communicating a common and inspiring vision. Leadership has the strongest relationship to organizational outcomes and value, including for state Flex Programs and CAHs. State Flex Programs are funded to serve as leaders in addressing CAH needs related to quality improvement, financial and operational improvement, population health, and EMS. 

In addition to leadership, trust is fundamental to the success of an organization and partnerships. Trust is established through open communication, integrity, and follow-through. It takes time to build trust. Through trusting relationships and strong leadership, state Flex Programs can engage and maintain partners and foster collaboration and innovation to advance the goals of the national Flex Program.

PROFICIENCIES:

  • Understand the crucial role of leadership in producing rural provider excellence
  • Employ basic methods and strategies for supporting and enhancing leadership
    in state Flex Programs, as well as rural hospitals and clinics
  • Ensure a sustainable state Flex Program workforce, through effective hiring, onboarding, training, retention activities, and succession planning
  • Employ strategies to help rural providers hire and retain needed staff and
    workforce
  • Develop a relationship with leadership at each CAH in the state

Related Resources:

National Rural Health Resource Center logo

Small Rural Hospital Blueprint for Performance Excellence and Value

National Rural Health Resource Center

National Rural Health Resource Center logo

Leadership Fundamentals Video Series: Surviving and Thriving As A New Leader

National Rural Health Resource Center

National Rural Health Resource Center logo

Staff Sustainability Guide and Toolkit

National Rural Health Resource Center

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Related Resources

Toolkit

Core Competency: Addressing Community Needs

It is important for state Flex Programs to understand the community needs of CAH and RHC service areas to develop or leverage program activities in support of health system development, community engagement, and population health improvement.
Toolkit

Core Competency: Understanding the Current and Future Health Care Environment

State Flex Programs can help CAHs transition into value-based systems, population health models, and future opportunities through education, network support, facilitation of new partnerships, and technical assistance.
Toolkit

Core Competency: Improving Financial Sustainability

The Flex Program and CAH designation was established and remains in place because of the financial vulnerability of small rural hospitals. CAH financial and operational improvement is one of the required program areas of the Flex Program.
Toolkit

Core Competency: Strengthening Quality Reporting and Improvement

State Flex Programs must understand QI principles, resources, and trends to support CAHs in advancing QI.
Toolkit

Core Competency: Understanding Policies and Regulations

State Flex Programs need to have an in-depth understanding of the policies and regulations governing the Flex Program, as well as a basic understanding of the policy-making process and other policies and regulations affecting rural providers.

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