title: The anatomy of a competency.
abstract: In response to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) standards, many educators are involved in implementing competency-based orientation as a format for assessing and validating competence. Written competencies are the tools of this important process. The purpose of this article is to help educators understand the basic elements of a competency and show them how to develop a well written competency. Suggestions for validating initial and continued competence are also included.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gurvis
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Grey
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations