Training staff pharmacists for clinical positions.

A five-phase education and training program for establishing and maintaining the clinical competency of pharmacists in a 940-bed private, nonprofit hospital is described. In Phase 1 of the program, pharmacists are given selected textbook and journal materials in 15 study sections, each requiring 20--30 hours of the pharmacist's own time to complete. Phase 2 consists of two months of instruction in the daily clinical routine with emphasis on applying knowledge by investigating clinical problems through case presentation and by answering questions of health professionals. During Phase 3, the pharmacist is assigned to a patient-care area for two months to perform the duties of a clinical pharmacist. The pharmacist is assigned to the drug information center for two months during Phase 4. Phase 5, the year-round continuing education component of the program, consists of regularly scheduled clinical rounds, meetings and conferences. Upon completion of Phases 1--4, pharmacists selected for clinical positions provide clinical services for eight to 10 months and rotate to the pharmacy distribution area during the remaining two to four months per year. The education and training program described is important to the development and expansion of clinical services in this hospital.