Washington Public Health

Orientation Information

Orientation Process Steps:

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Local Public Health Nursing Director

The PHND orientation is an ongoing process that begins before the new PHND is hired (i.e., with the local health jurisdiction’s recruitment efforts) and continues until the PHND feels comfortable with his/her duties and responsibilities as a PHND. DOH, WSALPHO, the new PHND, and his/her local health jurisdiction all share in the responsibilities for the orientation process.

The figure below illustrates the steps in the PHND orientation process and the persons/groups responsible for completion of each step. Key steps include meeting with the DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison, being assigned a buddy, and undertaking the recommended self-study. Although it is suggested that all steps of the orientation be undertaken, they may occur in a different order or, depending on the new PHNDs background and experiences, may not be necessary at all.

Text Copy of Steps

Step 1: Recruitment for a new PHND is initiated. 
(Responsibility: local health jurisdiction [LHJ] hiring new nursing director)

Step 2: The new PHND is hired. 
(Responsibility: LHJ hiring new nursing director)

Step 3: DOH and WSALPHO are notified of new PHND appointment. 
(Responsibility: LHJ hiring new nursing director) The LHJ notifies DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development and WSALPHO administrator of the new appointment.

Step 4: PHND appointment is communicated throughout DOH and WSALPHO. 
(Responsibility: DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development, WSALPHO)

• DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison is notified

• Name and address of new PHND is communicated to all DOH programs, other LHJs, and all PHNDs in Washington State

• Local health department directory is updated

• Email address is added to address book for agency

• Name and email address are added to WSALPHO list serve

• Name and email address are added to PHND list serve

• Name and email address are added to PHND on-line conference system

• Name and address are added to WSALPHO mailing list

Step 5: DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison contacts new PHND. 
(Responsibility: Public Health Nurse Liaison) Public Health Nurse Liaison welcomes new nursing director to public health, helps deal with any immediate problems, and arranges for an in-person meeting with new nursing director. Self-assessment form and orientation menu are sent to new PHND.

Step 6: DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison meets with new nursing director. 
(Responsibility: DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison)

• Will occur within 6 weeks of PHND arrival on the job, if at all possible

• Should take place at the new PHND’s LHJ unless other meetings in Olympia are also planned

• Includes provision of a few basic materials about DOH, WSALPHO, PHND forum (e.g., phone lists and organizational charts) and introduction of DOH Local Public Health Liaison, DOH Learning Resource Coordinator, DOH Environmental Health Director Liaison, and PHND Forum Chair

• Includes review of Orientation Menu and selection of appropriate items (including important contacts in coming months)

• Copy of completed Orientation Menu is forwarded to DOH Learning Resource Coordinator

Step 7: A buddy is identified. 
(Responsibility: DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison, WSALPHO PHND Forum Executive Committee) Candidates are contacted, informed of responsibilities, and asked about availability/willingness to be a buddy.

Step 8: Orientation/training occurs, largely self-guided by new PHND. 
(Responsibility: new PHND, buddy, DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison, DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development [Learning Resource Coordinator and Local Health Liaison]) Appropriate documents, reference books, and other materials (from Orientation Menu) are packaged and sent to new PHND or PHND is given information to order materials. Requested meetings are arranged. As needed, the new PHND contacts buddy or DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison for advice and assistance. New PHND participates in PHND "Newcomers Group" and other PHND Forum activities.

Step 9: DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison checks in with new nursing director and buddy every 2-3 months. 
(Responsibility: DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison)

Step 10: Orientation process continues until new nursing director feels comfortable with roles and responsibilities. 
(Responsibility: new PHND, DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison, buddy, WSALPHO PHND Forum)

Step 11: Orientation process for individual nursing director is evaluated. 
(Responsibility: DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development [Learning Resource Coordinator], new PHND, buddy, DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison)

Step 12: Orientation process is reviewed on an annual basis. (Responsibility: DOH Public Health Nurse Liaison, PHND Forum, nursing directors who have participated in the orientation during the previous year) Outcomes from ongoing or completed PHND orientations will be reviewed and current needs of PHND will be considered. Efforts will be made to identify ways to make the orientation process more practical and relevant to the needs of new nursing directors and more feasible to undertake.

• Orientation Process Steps

• Evaluation of the Orientation Process

• Competencies

• Self Assessment

• Learning Objective

• Learning Resource Toolkit

• Printable Manual