The recognition process at the Entry level occurs at the unit or department. The manager/director together with the clinician assess the clinician’s practice, determine goals for continuing professional development and celebrate achievements.

Clinicians at the Entry level are fairly new to the profession and are generally beginning their career at MGH. In orientation, they are welcomed into the organization and become acquainted with MGH and PCS’s values, practices and policies. The length of time for orientation is department specific. Within that time frame the needs and abilities of the individual clinician are assessed and the length of orientation is individualized. Throughout orientation, the clinician meets with the manager/ director and others involved in orientation to acknowledge achievement of competencies, to discuss practice and to review the levels within the Clinical Recognition Program. Following the completion of orientation, the manager/director meets with the clinician and, through the use of the narrative, initiates a discussion of practice across the themes of practice. If at that time, the clinician demonstrates Entry level behaviors, the manager/director recognizes the clinician at this level of practice. If more time is needed, the manager/director acknowledges the achievement of competencies and with the clinician, determines goals for further development.

At the time the clinician achieves Entry level of practice, the manager/director acknowledges this accomplishment in writing; the clinician receives the original and a copy is placed in his/her personnel file.

It is generally expected that the new clinician will, within 3 to 12 months of hire, demonstrate practice at the Entry level . The manager/director is responsible for ensuring that the clinician consistently meets entry level behaviors generally within 1 year from time of hire.