Washington Public Health

Orientation Information

Orientation Process Steps:

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Local Health Officer

Text Copy of Steps

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Step 1 - Recruitment for a new LHO is initiated. (Responsibility: local health jurisdiction [LHJ] hiring new health officer, WSALPHO Local Health Officer Group) When recruitment is initiated, the LHJ will notify DOH and review pertinent RCWs and WACs regarding qualifications. The WSALPHO Local Health Officer Group will help recruit qualified applicants and provide consultation to the hiring LHJ as needed.

Step 2 - The new LHO is hired. (Responsibility: LHJ hiring new health officer)

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

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

• name and address of new LHO is communicated to all DOH programs and other LHJs

• local health department directory is updated

• email address is added to address book for agency

• WSALPHO orientation is initiated

• name and email address are added to listserv (WSALPHO-L)

• Name and address are added to WSALPHO mailing list

Step 5 - A standard letter is sent to the new LHO from DOH and WSALPHO. (Responsibility: DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development)

• welcomes new LHO to public health practice in Washington State

• describes orientation process and initial meeting with State Health Officer and mentor (i.e., a more seasoned LHO

• names who will arrange initial meeting

• includes copy of "What Do Local Health Officers Do?", "Orientation of New Local Health Officers", New Local Health Officer Biography and Orientation Assessment Tool

• is co-signed by State Health Officer, Secretary of Health, Chair of WSALPHO

• indicates that State Health Officer will correspond with the local board of health (LBOH) to make them aware of the orientation process and expectations, and to report ongoing progress

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Step 6 - Initial meeting is arranged between new LHO, State Health Officer, and chair of WSALPHO Local Health Officer Group. (Responsibility: DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development)

• will occur within 6 weeks of LHO arrival on the job, if at all possible

• should take place at the new LHOs LHJ unless other meetings in Olympia are also planned

Step 7 - New local health officer completes self-assessment, sends copy to Local Health Liaison, and reviews menu of training options. (Responsibility: New local health officer and DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development [Local Health Liaison]). The new local health officer provides a copy of his/her curriculum vitae to the Local Health Liaison and completes the orientation self-assessment form. This information will be used to update the Local Health Officer Directory and guide orientation activities. The new health officer should also review the menu of training options and tentatively select items s/he thinks would be appropriate.

Step 8 - Meeting occurs between new LHO, State Health Officer, and chair of WSALPHO Local Health Officer Group. (Responsibility: State Health Officer, new LHO, chair of WSALPHO Local Health Officer Group)

• introductions will be made

• new LHO will be asked to describe his/her background and experiences in medicine and public health and LHJ employment details (e.g., number of hours)

• status of new LHO (i.e., provisional or fully qualified) is determined

• document "What Do Local Health Officers Do?" is reviewed and embellished

• sample job descriptions are shared with new LHO

• expectations for the orientation process are conveyed

• menu of orientation activities is examined and specific activities are selected as appropriate for new LHO

• complete menu is copied

• timeline for completion of orientation activities is agreed upon for provisionally qualified health officers

• means to contact State Health Officer and chair of WSALPHO Local Health Officer Group are provided to new LHO

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Step 9 - Completed orientation menu is submitted to DOH Learning Resource Coordinator. (Responsibility: State Health Officer, DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development [Learning Resource Coordinator])

• menu selections are entered into DOH Training Database

• appropriate documents, reference books, and other materials are packaged and sent to new LHO or LHO is given information to order materials

• desired DOH meetings are arranged

Step 10 - A mentor is identified. (Responsibility: WSALPHO Local Health Officer Group Leadership, State Health Officer) Candidates are contacted, informed of mentor responsibilities, and asked about availability/willingness to be a mentor. For candidates expressing interest, approval by LHJ administrator and/or LBOH is pursued.

Step 11 - Orientation/training occurs, largely self-guided by new local health officer. (Responsibility: new LHO, mentor, State Health Officer)

Step 12 - As needed, new LHO contacts mentor or State Health Officer for assistance. (Responsibility: new LHO, mentor, State Health Officer)

Step 13 - Progress of orientation process is tracked. State Health Officer checks in with new LHO and mentor every six months. (Responsibility: DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development [Learning Resource Coordinator}, State Health Officer, new LHO, mentor)

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Step 14 - State Health Officer is notified when LHO has been in his/her position for one year. Annual meeting with new LHO is arranged. (Responsibility: DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development [Learning Resource Coordinator], State Health Officer)

• review completion of orientation activities to date

• determine need for additional, more specialized/customized activities

• determine need for ongoing support by mentor

• determine need for further follow-up by State Health Officer

• share progress on orientation with LBOH for provisionally qualified health officers

Step 15 - Annual review is performed for up to three years for provisionally qualified LHOs. (Responsibility: State Health Officer, new LHO) The State Health Officer will report orientation progress to the new health officer's BOH.

Step 16 - Letter is sent to LBOH describing outcome of LHO orientation for provisionally qualified LHOs. (Responsibility: State Health Officer) If necessary, State Health Officer will propose additional work/orientation or remediation.

Step 17 - Orientation process is evaluated. (Responsibility: DOH Office of Public Health Systems Planning & Development [Learning Resource Coordinator], new LHO, mentor, State Health Officer)

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• Orientation Process Steps

• Evaluation of the Orientation Process

• Competencies

• Self Assessment

• Learning Objective

• Learning Resource Toolkit

• Printable Manual