Welcome to Saint Thomas Health!

INTRODUCTION:

This is your personal Associate Orientation Workbook - a guide to successfully completing Saint Thomas Health’s self-learning orientation. Working with your manager, this comprehensive orientation process should provide big paybacks by helping you:

  • Understand our Mission and your part in making it successful.
  • Get to know your co-workersand develop strong relationships.
  • Learn about Saint Thomas Health’s philosophy, core values, initiatives and culture.

In addition, your answers to the workbook questions shouldserve asan excellent resource.

As you read through the workbook, some topics may not apply to your department. Over time new associates should develop an understanding of as many of these topics as possible. Your manager will help, but much depends of you.

Most of the information you obtain for the workbook will be through interviews with your co-workers. They are an invaluable source of information, not only during your initiation into the company, but after you become a fully functioning member of the team. If you need help locating information or answering questions in the workbook, your manager, co-workers or the Human Resources Partnerwill guide you.

This workbook is a guideline that will assist you and your manager in planning and executing your orientation to Saint Thomas Health. It is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment or for the payment of benefits. You and Saint Thomas Health remain free to end the employment relationship at any time and for any reason.

We are interested in your reaction to this workbook and the orientation process. Please share your comments or suggestions with your manager, preceptor, or your Human Resource Partner.

THE FOUR AREAS OF FOCUS:

The orientation process at Saint Thomas Health focuses on four areas critical to a smooth and successful transition to your new organization and community.

  1. Learning the Mission

As you learn about Saint Thomas Health, you will discover what our Missionis and your part in fulfilling this Mission. Saint Thomas Health’s Mission is:

Rooted in the loving ministry of Jesus as healer, we commit ourselves to serving all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Our Catholic health ministry is dedicated to spiritually centered, holistic care which sustains and improves the health of individuals and communities. We are advocates for a compassionate and just society through our actions and our words.

You will learn how you and your department interface with other functions, who your internal and external customers are, and what they require.

  1. Discovering the Culture

All companies and organizations have their own unique culture that determines the way work gets done. Culture can be a formal written policy or unwritten accepted protocol. Culture is what ties people together.

As you discover the culture in your new organization, you will become aware of the values that are important to Saint Thomas Health. A good way to start the discovery process is by asking questions and observing how things get done. For example, what is the work ethic, and what are the decision making and communication styles? We’re not asking you to “fit the mold”; rather, we ask that you observe and interpret the culture and determine how to use your talents to the fullest now, as well as how you can influence the culture over time.

  1. Building Relationships

Good relationships will help you feel comfortable in your work and community environment.

  1. Performing Your Job

The key to Saint Thomas Health’s success is the ability of each associate to perform as effectively as possible. During your orientation, you will receive guidance from your manager, co-workers, and other resources. You may also want to utilize special skills and training developed prior to joining Saint Thomas Health.

CHECKLIST: BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Onboarding Requirements:

After your verbal offer has been extended by a Saint Thomas Health recruiter and accepted by you, an electronic written offer from the Talent Acquisition Partner at our Ascension Ministry Service Center (MSC) located in Indiana (calls will come from area code 317) will be sent to you through your email address. Your written offer will include your job title and rate of pay. Please review this offer for accuracy and notify your Saint Thomas Health recruiter of any issues with accepting your offer.

Instructions on accepting your offer will also be sent to your email address. Please be sure to follow all of the instructions within 48 hours of receipt. You should expect to receive the written offer within 2 business days. Please contact your Saint Thomas Health recruiter if you do not receive this document. As a special note, sometimes this notification is sent to junk mail or spam folder.

The MSC will be contacting you by email for you to complete both pre-hire and post-hire Onboarding Forms; these will be sent as two separate email requests. First, once you accept your written job offer, the MSC will send you an email request with a link to complete the Background Authorization Form. Secondly, and closer to your actual start date, the MSC will send you an email request with a link to complete the remaining forms (I-9, direct deposit, and W-4).

  • Background Authorization Form (Pre-Hire):
  • You will be asked to electronically submit your authorization to complete the background check.
  • You may be contacted by the background company, Evolution to provide or clarify information to complete your background. Evolution is located in the state of New York.
  • I-9 Documentation (Post-Hire):
  • Complete theonline portion of the I-9 document prior to your pre-employment healthappointment.
  • Direct Deposit (Post-Hire):
  • You will need your bank routing number and checking account number. Also, you can list up to 4 accounts (checking and/or savings) to have your payroll check deposited.
  • W-4 (Post-Hire):
  • Your tax designation will default to single and 0 until you make a change. As a reminder, Tennessee has no state income taxes on wages.
  • Complete your pre-employment reading and required acknowledgement, which is located at
  • YourSaint Thomas Health recruiter will schedule an employee health screening for you. You will need to complete your Employee Health Personal History form and bring it with you. At this time, you will complete your pre-employment drug screen. Be prepared to provide an adequate sample. You will have your badge photo taken, provide immunization records, receive your first TB skin test,and some may complete respirator fit test. You will also need to present documents, which establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Click here for a list of acceptable documents. ***Attention*** Please contact the Employee Health department at 615.222.2160 prior to your visit to discuss facial hair and the respirator fit test.

Certifications and/or Professional Licensure:

  • If you are being hired into a position which requires a professional licensure or certification, you will be asked to send this information to the Talent Acquisition Partner at the Ministry Service Center, based out of Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • For new hires that have obtained resuscitation training from organizations other than American Heart Association, the following organizations will be accepted upon hire:
  • Military Training Network (MTN)
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
  • International Training Organization (ITO)*
    *Will be verified by the Saint Thomas Health
  • American Heart Association certifications required for the job you are being hired into must be valid for 90 days after date of hire.Inexperienced associates will have a 180 day grace period to obtain the required course completions/certifications as outlined on the job description, this excludes BLS certification.
  • For candidates, whose job requires BLS or CPR, we have two suggestions to obtaining certification prior to your start date:
  • Saint Thomas offers a CPR certification course here at the hospital:
  • Nashville Life Guard offers a CPR class as well. Their telephone number is 615-256-1818.

If choosing a route other than one of the two above options, please be sure that the certification will be through the American Heart Association, and that the course will provide you with a card at the end of the training. We do not accept online certifications or class rosters, so it is important that you have your physical card or eCard no later than one week prior to your start date.

To ensure that your start date is not affected, please make sure to complete your onboarding requirements at least one week prior to your start date.

Communication with your Manager:

You willreceive an email or a call from your manager approximately one week before your start date. This communiquewill let you know where to meet your manager on your first day, along with your department’s dress code requirement. If you do not receive this information, please reach out to your Saint Thomas Health recruiter.

Discuss and verify your work schedule with your manager.

Associateparking information is provided on If you have questions, please ask your manager for clarification.

CHECKLIST FOR YOUR FIRST DAY

Meet your manager and co-workers.

Receive your 2nd TB Skin Test, ifapplicable according to Employee Health guidelines.

Log into LifeNet, the Saint Thomas Health internal intranet, and spend time learning the “basics” of computer resources.

Log into your Saint Thomas Healthemail.

Begin your computer based training (HealthStream/myLearning).

  • If you are in a clinical area, you are required to complete the online module for Blood Borne Pathogens on Day 1.

Discuss and verify your work schedule with your manager.

Review where to park with your manager.

Take a department tour.

If applicable, you will be assigned a locker by your manager.

If applicable, register via HealthStream/myLearning for role-specific orientation requirements. As a reminder, Nursing Orientation must be completed within your first 2 weeks of employment.

OBJECTIVESFOR YOUR FIRST WEEK

General Introduction

  • Identify your job responsibilities
  • Meet with your department manager
  • Meet your preceptor/mentor

Work Station / Facility Familiarization

  • Locate restrooms and cafeteria
  • Review safety / emergency procedures
  • Learn how to report an emergency
  • Familiarize yourself with the telephone system
  • Make sure you know what phone extension you can be reached at within the hospital

Basic Employment Details

  • Make sure you can access the resources necessary to perform your job
  • Use the Ascension portal to obtain associate benefit information and enroll in your benefits. Ascension has launched Alex, also known as an interactive and informative benefits guide to help you understand your choices.
  • Learn how to make necessary changes in the portal to your personal, pay, or benefits information
  • Make sure you are familiar with the Kronos clock-in/out procedures
  • Ask how to review your pay stub information
  • Know your associate ID, which can be found on the back of your I.D. Badge

CHECKLIST FOR YOUR FIRST WEEK

Obtain your Saint Thomas Health I.D. Badge. You will receive this from your manager within your first few days of employment. For any issues with your badge please contact the badge office at 615.284.5368.

TransAmerica - Don’t miss out on this great benefit offered to Saint Thomas Health associates upon hire, which includes an employer match plan. Contact one of the onsite Retirement PlanningConsultants:

Brad WattsMarc Goodner
bradley.watts@ transamerica.com marc.goodner@ transamerica.com

615-222-3128 (Saint Thomas West Hospital)

615-284-2863 (St Thomas Midtown Hospital)

Continue learning to use the computer resources that are available to you, which will include:

  • Kronos time-keeping system
  • HealthStream learning system
  • Ascension Portal
  • Associate Self-Service
  • myLearning

If you need additional computer assistance, thenregister via HealthStream for a Proctored Computer Lab.

Register in HealthStream to attend a Commissioning Ceremony. It is mandatory that all new associatesattend within the first 90 days of employment.

Familiarize yourself with:

  • Saint Thomas Health policies, which are located in PolicyStaton LifeNet.
  • The Associate Handbook, which can be electronically found at sths.com and click on the associate link in the top left hand corner.

Take a tour of the hospital and learn more about the rich history of Saint Thomas Health and the Daughters of Charity.

Get to know your manager and review your job description.

Become familiar with basic hospital safety and emergency procedures.

Become familiar with your work area and the basics of the facility.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Check to be sure you can access the Saint Thomas Health current benefit plan information. If you cannot access the website to enroll in your benefits, please contact the Ministry Service Center by calling 855-992-4672. You will need to enter your associate ID number when calling, which is located on the back of your ID badge.

Here is some important information you should know:

When does your group insurance coverage begin?

______

What are the types of flexible spending accounts? How do they work? What are the advantages/disadvantages of participating?

______

How does the retirement savings plan work? TransAmerica - Don’t miss out on this great benefit offered to Saint Thomas Health associates upon hire, which includes an employer match plan. Contact one of the onsite Retirement Planning Consultants.

Brad WattsMarc Goodner
bradley.watts@ transamerica.com marc.goodner@ transamerica.com

615-222-3128 (Saint Thomas West Hospital)

615-284-2863 (St Thomas Midtown Hospital)

______

Describe the different leave types available to you.

______

Describe the Saint Thomas Health’s Tuition Assistance policy.

______What are some of the topics and/or policies covered in the AssociateHandbook that you feel will be beneficial for you to know?

______

General Introduction Questions

What is your job title?
______

What is your manager’s name and telephone number?
______

What are your basic job responsibilities?
______

Who is your preceptor? What are his or her responsibilities and telephone number?
______

Facility Familiarization

Locate restrooms and cafeteria:
______

Locate emergency exits:
______

What are the in-house emergency codes and where are they located?
______

How do you report an emergency?
______

When will you receive your first paycheck?
______

Who do you contact with questions regarding benefits? When do you need to enroll in your benefits, if applicable?
______

Do you need to know any special codes when you clock in to Kronos? What are they?
______

How often do you need to check your time in Kronos?
______

When do you need to approve your time in Kronos?
______

How, when, and to whom do you report an absence?
______

GUIDE TO YOUR FIRST TWO WEEKS

Objectives:

  • Understand your job responsibilities and the requirements of your internal customers.
  • Establish a working relationship with co-workers inside and outside of the department
  • Learn the structure of your department and function.
  • Understand the performance review process.
  • Learn about the facility.
  • Learn about your associatebenefits in order to make decisions on coverage options.

Getting to Know Your New Organization and the People:

  • Ask about the history and story of Saint Thomas Health.
  • Learn department work rules.

Getting to Know Your Manager:

  • Have an in-depth discussion with your manageron performance evaluation process, rules and regulations.
  • Have a good understanding of what your manager expects of you in your new role.

Questions to Ask During Your First Two Weeks:

Discuss with your manager your mutual expectations of your position. What criteria will your manager use to measure your performance and award your annual merit increase?
______

With your manager, list your priority objectives for the next six months.
______

What are your unit’s key goals, initiatives and expectations?
______

Walk through your department with your manager or preceptor. Ask him or her detailed questions about the facility and the process. What are the areas you feel you need to know more about?
______

How do members of your department receive and share information? How do you prefer to receive and share information?
______

What are some of the unwritten customs in your organization and department?
______
Saint Thomas Health’s Structure and Key Policies & Procedures

Who are the members of the Leadership Team and what are their positions?
______

What is your chain of command?
______

What are some of the key components of the Patient ExperienceProgram?
______

Who is Saint Thomas Health’s Corporate Compliance Officer? How can you contact the Corporate Compliance Officer? What is the Ascension Values LineNumber?
______

Who are your internal customers?
______

What are the primary services your department provides?
______

Where can you find the Red Emergency Management Procedure Guide in your department?
______

What are the specific policies that apply to you in your present position, e.g. attendance, dress code, PTO, etc.?
______

Where can you get further information regarding Saint Thomas Health’s policies?
______

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Where can you find out about future development opportunities?
______

What is your responsibility in the performance planning process?
______

When will your performance be evaluated?
______