In 2014, the Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), an academic medical center, implemented a dual-level competency framework for medical social workers; it comprises 23 behavioral descriptors and six competency clusters at the general level and 30 behavioral descriptors and six competency clusters at the advanced level. This study adopted a qualitative approach to explore the experience among medical social workers with supervisory roles in the implementation of this competency framework. Findings showed that implementation of the competency framework lifted professional standards and image of the profession. The competency framework also helped foster stronger networks, trust, and partnerships among SingHealth organizations. Contextual features that influenced its implementation were as follows: workforce capacity and capability, management support, opportunities, training road maps, and staff’s personal life stage. Operationalizing terms used in the competency framework and specifying the validity period of each competency domain within the framework were found to be crucial to its implementation.

中文翻译：

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学术医疗中心的社会工作能力：新加坡医疗服务的案例

2014年，学术医疗中心新加坡健康服务（SingHealth）实施了医疗社会工作者的双重能力框架；它包括一般级别的 23 个行为描述符和 6 个能力集群以及高级级别的 30 个行为描述符和 6 个胜任力集群。本研究采用定性方法来探讨医疗社会工作者在实施该能力框架方面具有监督作用的经验。调查结果表明，能力框架的实施提升了专业标准和专业形象。能力框架还有助于在 SingHealth 组织之间建立更强大的网络、信任和伙伴关系。影响其实施的背景特征如下：劳动力能力和能力，管理支持、机会、培训路线图和员工的个人生活阶段。发现能力框架中使用的操作术语和指定框架内每个能力域的有效期对其实施至关重要。