Staff training
The Mason Clinic has a vital role within the mental health system and within our community; it is therefore understandable that our staff need specific qualities and competencies to work in such a challenging and dynamic working environment.
In house training
There are various education courses which are run at the Mason Clinic to ensure our staff are up to date and skilled. The training programme is co-ordinated by the service’s staff educator and many of the staff are involved in both teaching and course development. These are some of the training programmes we currently offer:
Mandatory training
This training is focused on maintaining safety and core skills and includes:
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) - once yearly refresh
- Calming and restraint - Three day course with yearly to 18 monthly updates
- Infection control - During orientation, and regularly with infection control officer
- Fire training - During orientation, and then annually
- Service orientation programme - A five day programme introducing staff to the service, policies, processes and requirements whilst working at Auckland Regional Forensic Psychiatry Services.
Other internal training initiatives
Workforce training
This training seeks to improve quality and outcomes. Examples include:
- Ward inservices - Weekly presentations of relevance to daily clinical work in the individual wards
- Continuing Medical Education (CME) – Presentations by a variety speakers on matters of psychiatric relevance
- Risk Assessment Training - standardising risk assessment to a nationally recognised level
- MHSMART training – a Government mandated initiative to help us quantify what difference we make for our patients.
External conferences and courses
- Where feasible, staff attend relevant training outside of the service. This assists in networking and up skilling with other providers and health professionals. We have an annual conference organised by Mason Clinic staff.
- University and postgraduate education – The Mason Clinic has an excellent relationship with tertiary learning institutions. We have assisted people through Mental Health Support Worker training (Certificate and Diploma), Post-Graduate Nursing Studies (Post-Graduate Certificate and Masters) and full nursing training. We assist under-graduates in their learning in partnership with tertiary training intuitions.
Waitamata DHB learning and development
Learning and development, based at North Shore Hospital provides education and professional development for the people of Waitemata DHB. Their courses are free for Waitemata DHB and healthAlliance staff and include cultural courses, personal and professional development courses, mandatory training and management development.