Departmental Services

VCU's Human Resource Office of Training and Development works directly with individual department managers to determine training needs and to develop appropriate implementation plans. Training staff can facilitate focus groups, distribute surveys, or meet directly with department managers to determine needs. 

Customized Departmental Training
(including consultation and needs assessment)

In addition to offering open enrollment workshops for staff and supervisors, the Office of Training and Development provides customized, just-in-time training for individual departments.

When is departmental training right for you? 

You may wish to consider departmental training if one or more of the following conditions apply: 

• You are unsure of your training needs and you would like the Office of Training and Development to make an assessment and help you develop a plan. 
• Your entire department must be trained at one time. 
• You need assistance with strategic planning, reorganization efforts, or process redesign. 
• You need specific training that is not offered on the open enrollment schedule. 
• You need content and support materials that are specific to your department. 

Customized departmental training has many advantages:

• Sessions may be designed around just about any topic. 
• Average turnaround time from date of departmental request is about three weeks. 
• The location, content, and program length can be customized to meet a department's specific needs. 
• There may be a nominal fee, which is usually less than the cost of an outside consultant. 
• Staff are familiar with the University culture, goals, and mission; and they enjoy a high degree of credibility with VCU’s faculty and staff. 

Change Management

Health care and higher education are changing every day, and VCU is leading the way. But even when circumstances are ideal, change can be difficult to experience. The Office of Training and Development offers several options for departments who need assistance in managing change.

Teambuilding
One of the most common changes facing organizations today is the transition from a traditional structure to a team format. Many VCU areas are moving toward the team-structure approach. Whether your group works as an informal or structured team, our staff can help you adjust through these topical HR sessions: 

• Team Leadership and Facilitation (for supervisors and team leaders)

• Your Role on the Team (for team members)

• Quality Tools for Problem-Solving (for all employees)

• Conflict Resolution (for all employees)

Management Coaching  
Managers wear two hats when experiencing change and transition. First, they must go through a transition process themselves. Second, they are faced with the task of supporting staff through change. HR can help with individual coaching, including assistance with developing an action plan for implementing change. 

Open Enrollment Workshops
Each semester, we offer workshops designed to help managers and staff managing change.

Continuous Quality Improvement

HR's Office of Training and Development supports the continuous quality improvement process at VCU by providing baseline information and training.  We place particular emphasis on every employee's role in the delivery of quality service to patients, guests, and coworkers.

We provide several workshops designed to help staff and supervisors develop critical skills for participating in work teams. These topics are included: 

• Your Role on the Team

• Team Leadership and Facilitation 

• Quality Tools for Problem Solving 

• Empowering Employees 

We also serve as objective facilitators for newly formed teams and/or provide train-the-trainer instruction on team facilitation. 

If you have questions or would like help for your department, e-mail Training and Development at traindev@vcu.edu or call (804) 828-0179. 

 

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