Office of Commissioned Corps Operations Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Report (COER) Reference Guide
Officers of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) are evaluated annually on their performance and effectiveness. The Commissioned Officers’ Effectiveness Report (COER) is the primary tool used to identify an officer’s accomplishments and areas in need of development.
For 2010, we have introduced a new instrument. Ratings using the old instrument resulted in nearly perfect ratings for most officers, making it difficult to identify development needs and to measure improvement.
The system was pilot tested to compare the rating scale sections. Analysis showed that ratings were more random with higher variability. The results were presented to the Surgeon General’s Policy Advisory Council, the Chief Professional Officers, Professional Advisory Committees Chairs, and Corps Liaisons.
Our expectation is that ratings with the new instrument will accurately:
- identify areas that need improvement;
- reflect areas of strength for each officer; and
- increase the likelihood that an officer will be rated fairly.
The paper COER was available for use as of July 1, 2010, and the online COER will be available October 6, 2010.
The COER Educational Advisory Panel will continually provide updated information and guidance for a smoother transition to the 2010 COER system. COER resource materials currently available on the CCMIS Web site are:
- The 2010 COER, A Brief Summary of Changes
, includes slides with script. - Frequently Asked Questions .
- PHS-88 Commissioned Officers’ Effectiveness Report.
- Instrument
- Instructions
- Business Process for the Revised COER.
- Flow Diagram
- Text Version for 508 Compliance
- Flow Diagram
- Comparative Analysis of Ratings Using the Old and New Commissioned Officers’ Effectiveness Report
Your primary point of contact is the Corps Liaison for the 2010 COER and any Corps questions. The list of liaisons is posted at http://dcp.psc.gov/PDF_docs/sgpac.pdf.