Educational support attracting, maintaining top talent

Staff members appreciate motivation and opportunity for skills development

November 14, 2011 -- Ryan Rogers

Support for ongoing education has been a magnet for attracting talented staff members to OMNI Health Care homes, and a contributing factor to its reputation as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, as named by Mediacorp Canada for the past three years in a row.

OMNI's chief operating office Candace Chartier says training and skills development is important as long-term care is continually becoming more complex.

"We have to equip our staff with the training, tools, the transparency and empowerment for them to be able to come forward with suggestions as to how we can be more innovative," she says.

Case in point is life enrichment aide Janie Butler from West Lake Terrace who was attracted to OMNI because of its great reputation.

Butler's mother-in-law, an OMNI employee of 13 years, encouraged Janie to join the 47-bed home.

OMNI's support in furthering education for employees has encouraged her to register for a course in palliative care in January 2012.

"There's always an opportunity to advance and to take courses that pertain to your job, or are of interest to you — and OMNI supports us 100 per cent," says Butler.

"They really seem to care for the employees and the value of furthering our education."

Rosebridge Manor registered practical nurse (RPN) Susan Billings says she's appreciated the motivation and support she's received from her colleagues at the 78-bed home.

Billings has strengthened her knowledge in wound care and healthy living with OMNI's support, helping her specialize in wound care and medications.

Woodland Villa maintenance manager Eddie Pigeon has embraced the continuing education opportunities, taking supportive measures training, which individualizes care, specifically for residents with dementia, by identifying factors that may cause anxiety, agitation and frustration, and modifying the approach.

West Lake Terrace's nutritional care manager (NCM) Brian Rowbotham says he's been impressed with all the educational opportunities presented at OMNI.

"There are a lot more learning (opportunities) and webinars, conferences, and networking with people, and it keeps you in the loop with what's going on," says Rowbotham.

He says the home has given him all the right tools to move in the right direction and make his job easier, like in designing the menu.

If you have a story you would like to share with the OMNIway, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 29 or e-mail ryan(at)axiomnews.ca.

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