Pharmacist competency certification in aminoglycoside dosing.

A pharmacist competency-certification program was developed to train and evaluate newly hired pharmacists, provide continuing education and skills development for staff pharmacists, and standardize clinical pharmacy practice at a 940-bed teaching hospital. A pretest, self-teaching module, and written final examination were developed; the total program can be completed in approximately one month. The self-teaching module contains 37 pages of factual material on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, antimicrobial spectra, cost, relative toxicities, and dosing and monitoring techniques for aminoglycoside antibiotics. The pretest and final examination consist of 20 multiple-choice questions based on actual patient cases. Following its initial implementation, 21 of 49 staff pharmacists elected to complete the program. There was an equal representation of pharmacist trainees, novice pharmacists, and experienced clinical pharmacists. All three groups demonstrated improvement over pretest scores. The trainees and novice pharmacists showed the greatest improvement. This program defines a standard of practice and provides a continuing-education tool. Because of its success, the program has been mandated in the orientation of all clinical pharmacists.