Whether your job title is trainer, or you’re a trainer by default (usually because no one else can do it), a New Year is a great time for some new ideas.On our continuing education website designed for administrators (EasyCEU.com) we have a course called “Become the World’s Most Effective Trainer.”
OK, so there’s a little bit of hyperbole there, but the goal is one we can all relate to: training that’s fun and effective. Training that we don’t think about and dread…or worse, avoid thinking about at all until 10 minutes before everyone starts to gather. That’s the sort of training that doesn’t build skills and energize people; it has the opposite effect.
It communicates to the people in attendance that providing them with training is the lowest priority you have – not exactly the message you probably want to be sending.
Here are some training ideas from individuals who have taken the online course. Maybe these ideas will spark something in your mind!
From Susan J: I like to use modeling and role playing. I especially like to have each person pair up with a partner and take turns being the resident and the caregiver. Then follow up with how each felt about giving and receiving care.
From Andrew H: I have used "Trivial Pursuit" or some other board game as an opener and used it to transition to my topic that I am teaching on.
I have also used the format of game shows, like we did "Who wants to be a Social Worker?"(Re: Who wants to be a millionaire?) to teach about roles.
From Geoffrey H: Begin the session by having the participants learn each other's names by tossing a stuffed animal and repeating the previous names. To make it interesting each person says their name and creates a nickname using the first letter of their name. For example G for goofy. The next person catching the animal repeats the other names and says his. Game continues until everyone repeats all the names.
From Kym G: I work for a hospice and we use/offer a lot of complimentary therapies, i.e. massage, aroma, pet, music, art, etc. We coordinated a training for our staff with all of these therapies set up so they went from station to station and participated in each. It allowed staff to be better informed about all of these therapies, to experience them, and then better describe them to patients and their families.
Mary C: We had a Safety Fair in which all employees would go to different booths, headed by department heads, to cover mandatory training requirements. Each booth had decorated posters and games/quizzes. For each test with a perfect score, that employee's name went into a raffle for prizes that were drawn later. Lunch was provided for the staff leading the training and paychecks were given out at the last booth.
Cynthia L: As the administrator, I have always done the abuse/neglect inservices myself. I believe that the staff needs to hear the message directly from me. I have a large "Bugs Bunny" toy and have done sessions using "Bugs" as the focus. Everyone, no matter what position in the facility, can relate to character. We have done everything from introducing "Bugs" as a new resident and taught all staff to assess what the new resident needs (everyone knows Bugs likes carrots) to "How to investigate a fur tear." The prop allows for visual keys in addition to a humorous commonality that fosters participation from all levels of staff.
This year, try something new in your staff training. It will be fun, and it may become everyone’s favorite training memory, too!
Try something else new – online staff training – on us! If you’re an administrator or manager, we have 5 gift cards for online caregiver training (each good for one caregiver course) we’ll send your way – no cost or obligation. CLICK here to request your cards (be sure to include your name and mailing address, the facility your manage and the number of employees you have).
Want more ideas?
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