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The education program is based
upon adult learning principles; which encourages staff to be autonomous and
self-directed, takes into account life experience and individual knowledge, is
goal oriented, relevant, practical, and respectful of individual abilities.
The main aim of the education
program is to improve the quality of care for residents by ensuring that all
staff are well informed of their roles and responsibilities, and have been
given the requisite training and support to perform their duties competently
and confidently, provide absolute resident centred care, whilst striving to
continue to maintain a high level of satisfaction from residents, relatives. As
such the entire education program utilises a number of different mediums to
facilitate learning for all staff. Direct feedback from staff, and key clinical
indicators, are used as a performance measure regarding the education program.
There are many components to the staff development program,
and the program has strong links into the continuous improvement program.
Orientation
All new staff receives an orientation
program. Areas of particular focus and competency testing include Manual
Handling, Infection Control, Fire, Safety & Security and Medication
Management. An orientation guide is given to all staff at induction and
contains further checklists for the employee to complete during their
orientation period. The new employee is mentored with a senior member of staff
for a period determined by their previous experience, knowledge and skills.
Competency Assessments
There are a number of competencies on which staff are tested. Staff are assessed
using a 5-point Bondy scale. The overall rating determines an individualised
development path and the period under which reassessment will be undertaken.
Staff Development Sessions
A monthly education calendar is developed that considers the annual training
plan and any needs that have been identified by staff as requiring attention.
The need for training is identified through a number of formal and informal
processes and the calendar remains fluid in order to be able to address needs
as they arise. Staff development sessions are delivered in a variety of
different formats, with gaming utilised with great success such as Food Quiz,
AHH Accreditation, Occupational Health and Safety, and the Infection Control
Quiz. Quizzes and games are included as a fun way of learning. During 2006: the
organisation and ancillary staff had 54 education sessions, and staff attended
20 different conferences and seminars.
Innovative, creative and have proven to be a successful
way of learning and reinforcing contemporary practice. Self directed learning
is suggested as the most efficacious approach for the continuum of education,
particularly as learning is based on experience, and the new knowledge and
understanding can be integrated into the personal and professional development
of the staff member. A number of self directed learning packages have been
developed that have the ability to be stand alone training or enhance what is
covered in the staff development sessions. The rationale behind the development
of these packages has been to give all staff opportunity and access to personal
and professional development.
Self Directed Learning Packages
developed and implemented to date include:
- Management of Falls
- Management of Diabetes
- Managing Challenging Behaviours
- Palliative Care
- Wound Management
- Food Safety
- Continence Management
- Managing Food
- Huntington’s Disease
- Manual Handling
Staff Newsletter - Good Shepherd News and Views
This initiative is another method of
disseminating information to as many staff as possible. The Newsletter has been
in place since February 2002. Published quarterly, the newsletter contains
general news from each facility, as well as staff news. Articles are also written
about current issues relating to aged care and also changes to legislative
requirements, reinforcement of correct policy and procedures, and reinforcement
of key learning’s from incidents.
Accreditation Board
Game
The Educator
has developed an innovative board game titled “AHH Accreditation,” which
assists staff in education about each expected outcome, and their knowledge
development.
Performance Improvement Plans
Poster presentations: The Educator has developed a number
of posters which reinforce particular aspects of care
Contact
Jenni Simons -
Staff Development and Educator Co-ordinator
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