This column is a new forum for Children's Hospital Boston employees to get answers to questions they have about the hospital. If you have a question about any aspect of the hospital, send it to news@childrens.harvard.edu. We'll ask the appropriate person to answer the most commonly asked questions and print their responses. (You can submit questions anonymously.)
Question: "Why can't the night shift employees participate in events, like the day shift employees? There seem to be more offerings during the day than at night. Also, why can't administrative associates take more classes within the hospital, like the nurses do?"
Answer: All of our employees are equally important to us and we always want to include everyone in institution-wide events whenever possible. Children's Hospital Boston holds several events for all employees during the year, such as the summer lunch and December holiday party. In each case, a night shift celebration follows the daytime event so our employees who work at night can enjoy the same festivities as all other employees who work days or evenings. I believe the departments try to ensure that all employees are included in their events as well.
To answer your second question, as you probably know, nurses and other clinicians are required to take courses throughout the year in order to maintain their license or other credentials to be able to continue to do their jobs. Although administrative and support employees don't have the same requirements, it's just as important for them—and all employees—to develop professionally, since it will prepare them for more responsibility and future advancement opportunities. We offer many training courses that are open to staff. Three new one-hour modules (Team Effectiveness, Managing Work Challenges and Communicating Respectfully and Effectively) have recently been rolled out for those who have attended Exceptional Care, Exceptional Service training. Also, Learning and Development offers several courses on communication, time management and creating a respectful work environment. All employees can check NetLearning for available training and watch for announcements about specific classes in Small Talk.
Thanks for asking!
— Inez Stewart, vice president,
Human Resources |
