1. Mentor Team Program [name of home] Mentor Team Program [name of home] Mentor Team Program

2. Mentor Team Program Mentor Team Program Mentor Team Program An important component of an overall strategy designed to enhance orientation for new staff Our Goals  Develop dynamic staff teams  Strengthen relationships  Encourage leadership opportunities

3. Mentor Team Program Assumptions  An effective orientation will pay back big dividends in staff retention, employee commitment, and customer satisfaction  Staff who are properly welcomed and trained feel good about their choice of employer. They fit in more quickly and contribute more readily to quality service.

4. Mentor Team Program Assumptions continued  Effective orientation is a gradual process and doesn’t end after Day 1. Corporate orientation is important, but not enough.  It’s necessary to establish relationships that endure over time and can be used safely to provide access the “right” information and to guide best practice.

5. Mentor Team Program Assumptions continued  Staff who are poorly trained embrace a poor attitude or work ethic and take a high toll on the morale of existing staff.  Sometimes the “buddy” system teaches new staff some behaviours and attitudes that are inconsistent with organizational values.

6. Mentor Team Program Objectives  Create comfort and rapport  New staff need to feel welcome and to have a sense of acceptance and belonging.  Introduce the organizational culture  New staff want to understand the values of the organization and to appreciate how they “fit” in achieving quality resident care.

7. Mentor Team Program Objectives continued  Share relevant information  We want staff to know the answers to important questions and to have a sense of who’s who in the organization.  Explain job responsibilities clearly  Clarify expectations from the very beginning.  Ensure staff are well oriented to their job responsibilities.

8. Mentor Team Program Objectives continued  Provide reality checks  Make sure the orientation isn’t just about what we wish the organization could be.  If we only focus on the “blue sky” picture we can’t be surprised if new staff are “shell- shocked” and wonder why we weren’t open, honest, and candid.

9. Mentor Team Program Objectives continued  Gain full participation  Give as many people as possible a role to play in new-staff orientation.  Ensure that the orientation process stays fresh and relevant to staff needs.  Involve mentors, managers, and administrators in open dialogue.  Ensure that mentors feel valued and able to contribute to a change in culture.

10. Mentor Team Program What is a Mentor? A Teacher A Leader A Nurturer Lead from where you are — you can make a difference!

11. Mentor Team Program What is a Mentor? continued  Good at her or his job!  Has a good understanding of roles, processes, and positions in her/his department and in other departments  Positive, team-focused, genuinely caring  Sees the big picture and is not intimidated by pressure

12. Mentor Team Program What is a Mentor? continued  A good time manager  A problem-solver  A good communicator  Lives by the values of our home and leads others by being a positive role model  Passionate about her/his work

13. Mentor Team Program Role of the Mentor  Make contact with the assigned new employee  Provide information, encouragement, and support to new employees  Assist new employees in completing the orientation program, including checklists  Be available to answer questions from any new employee or current staff member  Make recommendations on improving the Mentor Team program

14. Mentor Team Program Role of New Staff  Accept the mentor and her or his role  Co-operate with the mentor in order to gain the knowledge and experience to become a skilled performer in her or his new job  Actively seek out mentors and maintain regular contact  Complete the orientation requirements, including checklists  Make recommendations on improving the Mentor Team program

15. Mentor Team Program Role of the Managers  Provide support and guidance to the Mentor Team and help it to become independent, self-directed  Link each new staff member to a mentor  Confirm expectations of new staff re: process, timelines  Consult with mentor before final review of new staff member (end of probationary period)  Meet with new staff for final review  Support Mentor Team in improving program

16. Mentor Team Program Mentor Team Criteria Formal Criteria  Two years of experience at our home  Good attendance record  Well organized – both as a role model and in order to commit the time to the role  Lives and models the values of our home  Demonstrates “values-driven behaviour”

17. Mentor Team Program Mentor Team Criteria Informal Criteria   An informal leader in our home  Someone who will march into your office and tell you what’s wrong – and how they plan to be part of fixing it  Someone chosen by their peers to be a representative or an advocate (other than their union steward)

18. Mentor Team Program Our Mentor Team  [insert no. of] RNs  [insert no. of] RPNs  [insert no. of] PSWs  [insert no. from] Housekeeping  [insert no. from] Dietary  [insert no. from] Maintenance  [insert no. from] Activation / Recreation  [insert no. from] Administration  [Etc.... ]

19. Mentor Team Program Our Mentor Team [insert picture of Mentor Team with names]

20. Mentor Team Program Any Questions?

21. Mentor Team Program Break [

22. Practice!  Break into pairs  Assume the role of mentor and new staff  Conduct guided conversation (see handout)  Switch roles  Conduct guided conversation  Report your experiences back to the group

23. Mentor Team Program Practice! continued [insert a section here on Conflict Resolution that reflects your home’s policies and procedures in this area ─ include:  description  discussion  role play:  demonstration  mentors’ practice]

24. Mentor Team Program Future Plans  Monthly meetings of Mentor Team  Share experiences  Identify training needs  Recommend improvements  Date of first Mentor Team meeting  Quarterly Training  Conflict resolution  The adult learner  Other training needs as identified

25. Mentor Team Program Any Questions?

26. Mentor Team Program Thank You for being a Mentor! [insert picture of Mentor Team without names]