When a new trustee joins your board, it is vital to share a proper introduction to your organization. Setting expectations for their roles and responsibilities lays the foundation for their work ahead. A new board member orientation should be formalized, consistent and updated regularly. Texas Healthcare Trustees recommends the following areas and responsibilities to cover when onboarding your new trustees.
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
In order to properly support and lead the hospital, new board members need a clear orientation of the hospital’s
mission, vision and values. Identify key players in your organization and offer a tour of the facility. Include an
in-depth look at your organization’s history, service area and population to give your new trustee a better
understanding of your community’s health needs.
GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
New board members should understand the parameters and guidelines they must work within through the review
of bylaws, policies and articles of incorporation. Clearly outline the legal and ethical obligations and fiduciary
duties your trustees must follow for the organization and community
GOVERNING BOARD
Share job descriptions and responsibilities for board members, officers and committee chairs, and review your
board’s committee structure. Discuss the trustee’s role in strategic planning, financial oversight and quality
and patient safety. It is crucial for a new trustee to understand the unique relationship between the governing
board and CEO and to differentiate between oversight and management
BOARD MEETINGS
Share processes for effective and efficient board meetings, including attendance requirements, submitting
agenda items and preparation. Clarify expectations of their participation at this time, and ensure they have the
schedule of future meetings.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Discuss your hospital’s current strategic plan, as well as expectations for the board’s involvement in developing
and approving future strategic direction. Familiarize them with the reports they should expect to review from
leadership to show progress on goals and initiatives.
HEALTH CARE OVERVIEW
Remember: your new board member may be new to health care! Touch on timely issues and trends affecting
your hospital, as well as state and federal regulations that should be kept top-of-mind. Identify continuing health
care education needs for your new members.
HOSPITAL FINANCING
A primary responsibility of the governing board is to ensure the organization has the financial resources needed to support its mission. Provide and review a recent budget and financial dashboard, and discuss fundraising,
reimbursement and payer-mix of the hospital.
YOUR ORIENTATION CHECKLIST
New board members likely face a steep learning curve. Use this checklist
to cover all your bases in your new trustee orientation
- ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
- Mission, vision and values statements
- History
- Service area, community and patient population
- Organizational chart and introduction of key
- leadership
- Tour or description of physical facilities
- GOVERNING BOARD
- Fellow board members, officers, committee
- structure and descriptions
- Trustee and officer job descriptions
- Board roles and responsibilities
- Board/CEO relationship
- STRATEGIC DIRECTION
- Current strategic plan
- Review of goals and key dashboards
- HOSPITAL FINANCING
- Overview of recent budget and financial statement
- Payment sources, Medicare and Medicaid overview
- Payer-mix of the hospital
- GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Bylaws
- Board policies
- Articles of Incorporation
- Fiduciary duties: loyalty, care and obedience
- Code of ethics
- Regulatory and legal requirements specific to the hospital
- BOARD MEETINGS
- Attendance requirements
- Preparation
- Submitting items for the agenda
- Future dates
- HEALTH CARE OVERVIEW
- Types of hospitals
- Federal and state regulatory overview
- Industry trends and issues