Our Culture
Standards of Behavior
As employees of VHS we are making a commitment to excellence in our behavior. We take pride in our work and live by the following Standards of Behavior. At VHS we are Respectful, Professional, Committed, Accountable, and Safe.
Respectful
We will:
- Utilize AIDET with every encounter
- Acknowledge and thank others for a ‘job well done’
- Listen attentively (use direct eye contact, positive body language, smile, and minimize distractions)
- Utilize the 10/5 rule at all times (At 10 feet I make eye contact with those I encounter and at 5 feet I speak and greet)
- Honor differences and appreciate the cultural diversity within our community
- Not engage in inappropriate behaviors’ such as gossiping, bullying, aggressiveness, intimidation, profanity, or harassment
Professional
We will:
- Be present and alert in our surroundings leaving cell phone communication for private areas whenever possible
- Take pride in my appearance (follow Personal Appearance Policy)
- Wear our name badge on VHS property, above waist and with picture facing out
- Maintain confidentiality and be respectful of the privacy of others
- Arrive prepared and fit to perform our specific job
- Confront and manage conflict by focusing on solutions
- Be mindful of what we say and how we say it
- Offer guidance and escort anyone who requires assistance or find someone who can assist
Committed
We will:
- Seek new learning opportunities and utilize best practice
- Promote and foster a positive work environment
- Be enthusiastic team members respecting the skills of others and contributing where able
- Acknowledge that our work environment is everyone’s responsibility (report hazards, pick up trash and other items as necessary)
- Embrace change, be flexible and supportive
- Promote, develop, protect, improve, and preserve the reputation of VHS (in or out of work and on social media)
- Mentor new employees and welcome them to the team
Accountable
We will:
- Be on time throughout our shift (start and end shift on time including breaks)
- Meet deadlines and communicate if unable to do so
- Do the right thing even when nobody is watching
- Check and acknowledge emails, messages and requests in a timely manner
- Share vital information with appropriate personnel
- Always keep our word, be honest
- Be responsible for our actions and performance welcoming constructive feedback
- Follow VHS policies and procedures
- Practice fiscal stewardship ensuring appropriate use of all VHS resources
Safe:
We will:
- Commit to ensuring a safe environment to achieve zero harm to employees, our patients and their families
- Take ownership for safety concerns, whether they are environmental, clinical or behavioral
- Report potential safety concerns immediately
- Speak up to reduce harm and prevent defects
- Use proper tools and equipment and do not take shortcuts that compromise safety
- Follow policies and procedures that are designed to keep everyone safe
HOLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER and VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEMS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, disability or handicap status, genetic information, military service or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.