How to Make a Hospital Orientation Plan

Hospitals employ a variety of workers including health care providers, housekeepers and maintenance staff. Most hospitals require new employees to attend an orientation that introduces them to the hospital, its policies and procedures. Create an orientation plan to assure that new employees receive all of the important information regarding the hospital. Orientation plans also provide an outline for instructors to follow, which allows them to relay all of the important information to the new staff.

Instructions

• 1

  Create an orientation plan outline to assure new employees receive the information they will need to work at the hospital. Information such as hospital policies, job requirements, schedules, vacation and benefit packages can be included on the orientation outline. These outlines provide those holding the orientation classes a guideline that helps to assure all of the important information is given to new staff members.

• 2

  Discuss hospital policies and procedures in the orientation plan. This gives new staff the opportunity to learn what is expected and how the hospital operates. Discuss department policies such as the proper chain of command, policies regarding equipment use, patient care and protocols. Talk to employees about acceptable behavior and professionalism. Advise them of patient privacy laws and regulations and give them examples of how to respond when asked questions regarding hospital patients or care. Answer any questions that arise during orientation.

• 3

  Include a hospital tour highlighting the important areas of the facility that all new employees should know. Employee break rooms and locations for time clocks, staff schedules and management offices can be included on the tour. Tours allow new staff members to become familiar with the hospital prior to their first shift. Hand out hospital maps highlighting important areas such as the cafeteria, supply rooms, elevators and employee parking areas. Advise employees during the tour of areas that require badges to enter. Areas with restrictive access, such as operating suites or the medical records room, can be shown with an explanation of to whom, why and how access to these locations is granted.

• 4

  Advise new staff members of annual requirements necessary to keep their employment status with the hospital active. Yearly tests such as a Mantoux (TB test) and employee physicals should be discussed among employees, so they are aware of what must be done and how often it is required. Inform new employees of the locations where the required testing can be performed and whether or not appointments are necessary. Mandatory or random testing such as drug screening should also be included in an orientation plan. Discuss any continuing education classes required for hospital employment.

• 5

  Requirements for promotion, job transfer and disciplinary actions can be included in the hospital's orientation plan. Information such as grants or special student loans offered for employees to further their education may be added. Advise new staff members how to transfer between jobs or departments within the hospital. Include information such as how long an employee must work at the hospital prior to requesting a job transfer. The orientation plan should also include information regarding the hospital's disciplinary system that is put into effect when hospital policies or rules are broken.