Competency Levels
Any UT Southwestern Medical Center student, fellow, resident, faculty, nurse, or staff may apply for recognition and advancement in the Academy for Performance Excellence. Five levels of performance improvement mastery are recognized. All levels require elements of knowledge mastery, application of knowledge in the form of project participation, and scholarship.
The levels of Quality Improvement mastery are:
Blue Level
The Blue Performance Improvement professional is one who has an awareness of quality and performance improvement, primarily through education activities. At this level, there is a basic understanding of how to effectively function as a member of a team, show accountability for organizational success by recognizing and elevating the need to improve in their work area.
| Activity | Minimum Points Required |
|---|---|
| Education | 1 |
| Project Participation | 1 |
| Scholarship | 1 |
| Total | 3 |
Bronze Level
The Bronze Quality Improvement professional is one who has achieved the knowledge and experience to participate effectively in quality improvement projects as a team member or as a team leader for simple projects. The Bronze level recipient can lead a QI project by developing a plan based on examination of the extent of the problem by using appropriate PI methodology and tools.
| Activity | Minimum Points Required |
|---|---|
| Education | 3 |
| Project Participation | 3 |
| Scholarship | 2 |
| Total | 8 |
Silver Level
The Silver Quality Improvement recipient must complete the Bronze requirements and undertake increasing leadership responsibilities with quality improvement activities and more complex projects.
| Activity | Minimum Points Required |
|---|---|
| Education | 4 |
| Project Participation | 6 |
| Scholarship | 4 |
| Total | 14 |
Gold Level
The Gold Quality Improvement recipient must complete all of the Silver requirements, demonstrate a deep understanding of QI methodologies and tools, and successfully direct QI projects. The candidate at this level has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to scholarly activity.
| Activity | Minimum Points Required |
|---|---|
| Education | 5 |
| Project Participation | 9 |
| Scholarship | 8 |
| Total | 22 |
Platinum Level
The Platinum Level is reserved for QI professionals who have demonstrated long-term commitment and success in health care quality education, improvement, and scholarship activities. Recognition at this level is by nomination.
| Activity | Minimum Points Required |
|---|---|
| Education | 6 |
| Project Participation | 12 |
| Scholarship, Grants, Mentoring | 15 |
| Total | 33 |