The Role of a Health Care Leader in the Community Health Needs Assessment Process

Abstract

In alignment with the Affordable Care Act of 2010, non-profit hospitals must complete a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years to collect data to prioritize health needs and implement strategies for improvement. The purpose of the internship was to identify and demonstrate health care leader (HCL) skills necessary to effectively implement the CHNA process including data collection, evaluation, and implementation of programming. Literature review supports that nurse involvement is essential to include in community health planning, and the HCL has a unique opportunity to use graduate competencies to advocate for community health promotion. The internship took place within an organization designed specifically as a partnership between the local health department and local hospital to conduct the CHNA. The internship provided opportunities to demonstrate HCL competencies such as knowledge of health policy, population health, knowledge of health care environment, and leadership with a focus on interagency collaboration. Internship activities included prioritization and implementation of CHNA data through creation of written and virtual resources, community outreach events, program development, and participation in interagency meetings. The internship examined the role of the health care leader (HCL) in the CHNA process, and how the expertise of advanced-degree nurses can improve the CHNA process. The experience provided the intern an opportunity to build upon the present role as a community health nurse, and to prepare for future opportunities in leadership roles and to lead effective interagency collaboration.