Short on time but still want the details? See below for the Quick Version, otherwise see full article continued.
Congratulations! You've completed the recruitment and selection process of your hiring process, and it is time to focus on training and development. As an employer, you want to ensure your new team member feels welcome and supported from day one. This is where onboarding comes in - a process that helps integrate new hires into the company culture, familiarizes them with their role and equips them with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their new position. A well-executed onboarding program boosts employee satisfaction and retention and helps improve your organization's overall productivity.
As a visionary leader in your practice, you understand that building a solid and cohesive team is essential for delivering exceptional patient care and achieving long-term success. However, welcoming a new team member comes with its own set of challenges. From establishing clear expectations to fostering a sense of belonging, effective onboarding is vital to ensuring a smooth transition and setting the stage for a thriving dental practice.
This article will guide you through onboarding a new team member into your dental practice. We understand that the success of your practice relies on the synergy and collaboration among your team members.
Effective onboarding extends far beyond paperwork and training sessions. It is an opportunity to cultivate a welcoming and supportive environment that fosters engagement, accelerates integration, and builds a foundation for long-term professional growth.
Before you begin inundating your new hire with scattered forms to fill out, you should have a package prepared for each role in your practice ready to provide to your new employment. This package would include the following: The company's policies and procedures, such as HR policies, safety regulations, and ethical standards, are congruent with other clinical roles. Compile a list of key contacts within the organization, including managers and team members who can support and guide new employees.
Use a template or design tool to create an attractive and professional-looking welcome package with all the above information. Review and revise the welcome package to ensure all information is accurate, up-to-date, and well-organized. Distribute the welcome package to new employees during onboarding and allow them to ask questions and provide feedback. A copy of their employment contract should also be included in this package. To assist your new hire in preparing for their first day. Send a welcome email to the new employee, introducing them to the team and outlining what to expect during the onboarding process.
Arrange a meeting for your new hire with the office manager(s) to provide an overview of the organization, including the company culture, mission, and values. Reviewing the job responsibilities, performance expectations, and goals should also be addressed at this time. Including the team member directly training your new hire to maintain continuity may be a good idea. Arrange for your office manager to introduce your new hire to the entire team if you need help to do so yourself. If you could not conduct a tour of the practice during an interview, now would be the time to provide a comprehensive tour. When your new hire completes their in-depth training with you or their direct supervisor, you can give an in-depth tour of the practice.
Introduce the new employee to any necessary technology or tools they will be using and set them up for any introductory training videos or webinars. Discuss with your team and plan one time without interruptions to have your designated trainer walkthrough procedures, processes and applications of technology within the practice. (see Checklist belwo) Follow up with the new employee after the first week or two to ensure they are adjusting well and answer any additional questions they may have.
Providing access to all necessary software and tools used by the dental industry in Alberta, including practice management software and electronic health record systems, I would follow these steps: Research the most commonly used software and tools in the dental industry in Alberta. Create a list of the software and tools required for onboarding a new employee in the dental industry. Verify if the company has accounts/licenses for the required software and tools. If the company does not have accounts/licenses, provide a list of the required software and tools to the relevant IT department or manager.
If the company already has accounts/licenses, provide access to the new employee by sharing login information or setting up a new account. Ensure the new employee receives the necessary software and tools training. Follow up with the new employee to ensure they have access and support to use the software and tools effectively.
Once the steps mentioned above are completed, the new employee should have access to all the software and tools required for their job in the dental industry in Alberta.
According to the Employment Standards Code of Alberta, the following documents are required to be completed upon hiring a new employee:
- Personal Information Form: Employers must collect personal information from employees such as their name, address, Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, etc. This information is required for tax, payroll, and other purposes.
- Employment Contract: Employers must provide an employment contract to the new employee, which outlines the terms and conditions of their employment, such as job duties, compensation, benefits, etc.
- Payroll Information: Employers must provide the new employee with payroll information such as their pay rate, pay period, deductions, etc.
- TD1 Federal and Provincial Forms: Employers must provide new employees with TD1 Federal and Provincial Forms to determine the amount of tax to be deducted from the employee's pay.
- Emergency contact information form
These are required documents for new hires in Alberta as per the Employment Standards Code. However, there may be additional documents required by specific industries or
Checklist of documents that must be completed upon hiring in Alberta:
- An employment contract or offer letter
- Federal and provincial tax forms, such as TD1 and TD1AB
- Personal information form (PIF) required by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) application form
- Direct deposit form for salary payments
- Emergency contact information form
- Health and safety orientation documentation
- Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and employers may require additional documentation depending on the nature of the job and specific industry regulations.
Effective onboarding is critical for integrating new team members into your dental practice. By prioritizing a comprehensive and empathetic approach, you can foster a collaborative environment that drives success and enhances patient care. Remember to provide ongoing support, encourage open communication, and invest in the growth of your new team member. Doing so will create a thriving practice that delivers exceptional experiences and leaves a lasting impact on your patients' smiles. Embrace the power of seamless onboarding and shape the future of your dental practice today.
The Quick Version:
Building a cohesive team is essential for delivering exceptional patient care and long-term success. However, welcoming new team members comes with challenges. Clear expectations, a sense of belonging, and a smooth transition are vital for a thriving dental practice.
Key steps in the onboarding process include preparing a welcome package with essential information like company policies and key contacts, creating an attractive package, distributing it to new employees, and conducting a welcome email and meeting with the office manager to introduce the organization, culture, and responsibilities.
Additionally, providing access to necessary software and tools specific to the dental industry in your respective province is crucial. This involves researching commonly used software, verifying existing accounts/licenses, or providing a list to the IT department for procurement. Training and ongoing support for the software and tools should also be offered.
The article highlights the required documents for hiring in Alberta, including personal information forms, employment contracts, payroll information, TD1 forms, and emergency contact information. Employers may also need additional industry-specific documentation.
By prioritizing a comprehensive and empathetic approach to onboarding, you can foster a collaborative environment, drive success, and enhance patient care. Ongoing support, open communication, and investing in your new team member's growth are essential for a thriving dental practice. Embrace the power of seamless onboarding and shape the future of your dental clinic today.