When I graduated, I knew that community and family were very important to me. Working at my community hospital allowed me, for the next 15 years, to raise a family due to self-scheduling in the unit. Now I work in a small department of 8, and the master rotation allows me to balance family life and work as we can switch shifts. A balance between work and family is key, and OTMH has allowed me this. Read more...

Grow Your Career
at Halton Healthcare

Development and Career Opportunities

Tuition Reimbursement

Today, more than ever, education is extremely relevant for personal and professional growth. Halton Healthcare Services values and supports continuous learning in all levels of the organization and understands the financial burden that it may cause. We recognize this by offering our employees 100% tuition reimbursement for approved educational programs and courses. In 2007, 30 Registered Nurses enrolled in an on-site BScN program through Ryerson University. These nurses are being fully supported financially to take this program.

E-Learning

Halton Healthcare Services’ staff can now log on from any computer that has high speed internet access - at work, home, or their favorite internet café - and with just a few clicks of their mouse, take courses online, anytime at their convenience, through HHS’ new eLearning Centre. HHS purchased and implemented a Learning Management System (LMS) in 2007 to host its courses online and help administer the eLearning Centre. The software assigns and tracks staff education, manages content and testing, and generates instant progress reports. A number of customized courses have been developed in-house at HHS, such as a Privacy and Confidentiality module, while a number of externally developed courses, such as the Ministry of Health’s Hand Hygiene module, have also been successfully adapted to HHS’ training needs. Designed with voice narration, they tap into both auditory and visual learning styles.

Enhanced Individualized Orientation Program for RNs & RPNs

HHS provides a comprehensive competency based orientation program that caters to the unique needs of the new employee. We offer new grads and internationally educated nurses an enhanced orientation to prepare them for the acute inpatient care environment.

Preceptorship Education

We have a very successful interprofessional preceptorship education program offered on-site. All employees who are selected as preceptors for new staff members are required to attend this educational session. Their participation prepares them for the challenging role of integrating new staff members.

Implementation of Best Practices

Quality patient-centered care is paramount at HHS. As a learning organization committed to this philosophy, we are actively working towards integrating a number of key initiatives including the implementation of best practices in such areas as pressure ulcer prevention, least restraint, and client centre care to name a few. We are also actively engaged in interprofessional learning to enhance a collaborative practice environment.

"Grow Your Own" Opportunities

HHS encourages all staff to grow their careers at HHS. For example, specialty clinical areas regularly offer internal and external RNs an opportunity to obtain the training they need to move into a specialty area. For example, starting in 2007, the OTMH ICU paid 100% of the cost for the Durham College "Critical Care Nursing Hub of Excellence" - a 4 month e-learning course that includes simulation education and hands-on preceptored experience in a critical care unit.  Upon successful completion of the course, a Level 2 Critical Care Certificate is awarded. Our Emergency Departments have provided financial support so that new grads and experienced RNs can attend the 8-week Emergency Certificate Program at George Brown College. The Renal Dialysis program has also offered a 6 week training program to RNs without hemodialysis experience.

Summer Student Opportunities

Each year, HHS provides opportunities for students in nursing, pharmacy, kinesiology, information systems, etc. to gain valuable work experience. Students work full-time for 3 months over the summer and work alongside experienced professionals. This provides a great opportunity for students to earn an income while gaining experience in their chosen fields.