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O U R D A I L Y L O N G -T E R M C A R E N
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OMNI leads the way in
leadership training: Martyn OMNI is miles ahead of the competition in long-term care when it comes to staff education and training, say Ron Martyn trainer and consultant in long-term care. Ron and Darlene Legree of Silver Meridian are trainers for OMNI’s New Manager Training Program, wrapping up the second of three, two-day sessions Nov. 5 in Peterborough. “There is no question OMNI is at the top of the field in proving training and educational opportunities for staff,” says Ron. OMNI’s reputation for providing training and promoting from within helps in recruitment and retention of staff, Darlene says. The commitment at this training initiative includes participation as facilitators at the training sessions from several home office staff including Fraser Wilson, Candace Chartier, Pat Powers and Shawn Riel, Ron points out. That commitment is not lost on leadership training participants such as Shelley Johnson, a RPN at Garden Terrace in Kanata. “I really like working for OMNI,” she says. “The participation of home office in this program is an example of OMNI ‘walking the talk’.” The 28 OMNI staff enrolled in the program are an enthusiastic and dedicated bunch, according to Ron and Darlene. “It has been going really well, with a very positive attitude from participants,” Ron says. “We have a depth of experience at all levels and from all departments here and there has been a lot of cross-pollination of ideas.” At the heart of the training are communication skills and problem-solving skills, Ron explains. “Whether they become managers or go back on the floor, these skills will be of value to them,” he says. “I had one participant tell me she is using some of these skills with her teen-aged child.” The training follows the model in the book, Just Promoted, and the PRAM (plans, relationships, agreements and maintenance) model of problem solving. It is obvious that participants have taken to heart what they learned in the first two-day session, Ron says. “At this session they were able to describe what is working and what they have to work on.” They are learning a lot of skills they have to practise, Darlene explains. In role-playing exercises they learn what it takes to become an effective leader and they get managerial experience in practicums between sessions. “That experience is really helpful since it puts them in the position of becoming a manager,” Darlene says. “When they graduate from this program, they will have the skills needed.” As part of the program, they are also mapping out a manager’s manual for their first year as manager so that when and if they get that promotion they will be actively prepared, she says. Shelley says she is really enthusiastic about the program. “It’s very helpful training for me now and for my future, learning how to build teamwork to overcome the obstacles that we all encounter.” The program is helping her to realize she does have skills and can really make a difference, she says. “I’ve already put some of the skills I’ve learned into practice by using the PRAM model.” |
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