well be you!). Even if they are training with multiple people in differ-
ent areas, having one person to turn to will make them feel more
secure as they learn the facility and the culture.
Don't miss your chance
Remember, you only have one chance to make a good impression on
new hires and ensure their transition to the team is as smooth as pos-
sible. The more effective your onboarding process, the better the
chances your new staff member becomes the asset to your facility
you hoped she would be.
OSM
Ms. Mattson (leslie@almss.com) is a nurse consultant with ALM Surgical
Solutions in Atlanta, Ga., which offers surgical consulting, development and
operations support. Check out her blog, A Scrubs Life, at ascrubslife.com.
J U N E 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 7
Add an Element of Fun to New Hire Emergency Tours
As you tour your new hire through the facility, include orientation to all the
emergency response information and equipment. Don't forget how to
respond to alarms — generator, gas, vacuum pump and nurse call, for
example — as part of the tour.
To make the tour more memorable, add an element of fun. I created an
emergency scavenger hunt to do just that. The Fire Safety Scavenger Hunt
challenges new hires to find the location and number of the following
items: fire extinguishers, fire strobes, fire pulls, gas shut offs, exit signs,
fire alarm boxes, sprinkler head replacements and wrench, generator
emergency shut-off switch, daily schedule location, patient evacuation
devices (wheelchair and carry board), fire schematic positing, gas storage
room, facility "no smoking" sign and fire plan policies.
Download our Fire Safety Scavenger Hunt form at
outpatientsurgery.net/forms and customize it for use in your own facility.
— Leslie Mattson, RN, BSHM, LNC
FIRE SAFETY SCAVENGER HUNT
