Implementation researchers have identified constructs, variables, and strategies that support the sustainable use of evidence and interventions/approaches to improve outcomes. These constructs and strategies have been synthesized into frameworks and conceptual models that undergird the science of implementation and are used by implementation specialists to support communities to implement, scale, and sustain interventions/approaches for impact. However, building the capacity of systems to integrate implementation science into their delivery approaches takes more than just implementation science knowledge. This type of capacity building in complex and complicated systems requires a set of skills and competencies.

The Implementation Support Practitioner Profile outlines the skills and competencies needed to build the capacity of practitioners and communities to effectively use interventions/approaches and evidence to improve outcomes. These skills and competencies are described as philosophical principles that guide the work of implementation scientist-practitioners and essential functions that describe a range of activities implementation specialists conduct as they provide implementation support. Skills and competencies were identified through an evidence-based methodology including a scoping review, documents review, interviews, and vetting and consensus building (Metz, 2016).