Unique pharmacist competency program at community-based, teaching hospitals

Abstract

Background: The pharmacy profession continues to evolve and shape itself with increasing complexity. With this escalating complexity, pharmacist clinical competency needs to be addressed within each healthcare practice setting. The objectives of this study were to describe a unique pharmacist competency program and evaluate its satisfaction at two community hospitals.

Methods: Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s Hospital of Long Beach are tertiary community hospitals with 308 total beds for Millers Children’s Hospital and 462 total beds for Long Beach Memorial. A unique and intensive pharmacist competency program has been established at these hospitals for over 20 years. The content of this program was assessed and a survey was conducted in March 2011 to ascertain pharmacist satisfaction.

Results: The unique pharmacist competency program was structured in the form of age-related, hospital-wide and unit specific modules, pharmacy-regulated therapies (PRT), and a Pharmacy Skills Day that provide updates on PRT and other pharmacy-related topics. Forty-two of 61 (69%) pharmacists responded to the survey. Mean age of pharmacists was
38.8 ± 11.5 years, 36% were male, 86% completed residency training, and 12% were board-certified pharmacotherapy specialists. Over 80% of pharmacists agreed that the program was informative and supportive of their daily patient care activities. Although the program was well-received by the pharmacists, there were facets of the program that needed improvement, including resources for continuing education opportunities and additional modules for competency.

Conclusion: A unique pharmacist competency program at two community hospitals was described. The program was well-received by the pharmacists, and, more importantly, ensured continuous professional development in pharmacy practice.