HHS Core Competencies

A Competency Based Orientation Program is in place for all new employees at HHS. This approach ensures that all nurses hired at HHS receive an orientation that meets their individual learning needs in order to practice safely and competently within their scope of practice and in addition, socializes them into the HHS environment.

There are two levels of Competency Based Orientation tools at HHS. The first level has the Nursing Core Competencies for most clinical areas in the organization. These competencies are covered in the week of the Nursing General Orientation. The second level is the Unit Specific Competencies for the individual clinical areas. These competencies are covered during the preceptored time.

These tools assist the orientee in identifying their learning needs and recommended learning activities. The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) expects that each nurse is accountable and responsible for his/her own learning needs. The Competency Toolkit can be made available to nursing students upon request.