A Survey of Competency Based Recruitment and Selection Practices Adopted by Registered Hospitals in Nairobi

Abstract

The current Human Resource for Health (HRH) challenges include inadequate and inequitable distribution of health workers; high turnover; weak Human Resource Development, planning, management and Human Resource for Health information systems and the performance management framework at all level. Most organizations have little insight into the recruiter skills that have the greatest impact on quality of hire and time to productivity. As a result, recruiter training is often unfocused and misaligned with the drivers of new hire quality. The research objective was to determine the competency based recruitment and selection practices by registered hospitals in Kenya. This study was descriptive in nature. This design is preferred because it permits comparative analysis. The researcher targeted all the sixty (60) registerd hospitals in Nairobi where a sample size of forty hospitals was selected.Primary data was collected. This was used to address competency based recruitment and selection practices. Data collected from respondents was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Quantitative data will be analyzed using the descriptive statistics such as mean scores and standard deviations. The findings were then presented using tables, pie charts, and bar graphs for easier interpretation. On the other hand, qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The qualitative information was used to interpret or better understand quantitative findings. It can be concluded that the results from the findings of the questionaire demonstrated that competency based recruitment procedures were paramount in selecting new hires. The respondents recognized that competency based recruitment procedures can work hand in hand with traditional recruitment and selection procedures. The competency based approach to recruitment and selection was considered important in the recruitment and selection stage of Human Resource Management processes.Based on the findings, it is recommended that, the need to develop and implement a communication strategy to support the Human Resource Departments. It is also important to build awareness is an important starting point. HR staff and hospital management should attend workshops, classes, or conferences on competency modelling or invite external consultants.