Medical Devices
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Training for Supervisors - Administrative Memorandum #A92-1
March 5, 1992
Director, Office of Device Evaluation
TRAINING FOR SUPERVISORS
ODE Staff
PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to describe ODE's practices to
implement Departmental training and developmental policies for
supervisors.
DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES
The Departmental policy concerning supervisory development and
training is described in HHS Instruction 411-1; Personnel Manual
and is summarized below:
A probationary period of one year is required for all HHS
employees upon their initial appointment to a supervisory
position. Failure to perform successfully [during the 1-year
probationary period] may be the basis for returning the
employee to a non-supervisory position. Successful completion
of prescribed training is one element which is required for
satisfactory completion of the probationary period.
An Individual Development Plan and performance standard(s) must be
established as soon as the probationary period begins. This Plan
must include a minimum of 40 hours of supervisory development.
Some or all of these hours may be satisfied by training received
before initial appointment as a supervisor (for example, training
received by the employee before becoming a supervisor).
Non-probationary supervisors must be provided with appropriate
continuing education and development in the fields of management
and supervision.
ODE IMPLEMENTATION
New ODE probationary supervisors should prepare an Individual
Development Plan in consultation with their supervisor and the PMO
(contact: Roger W. Barnes). See attached Model Individual
Supervisory Training Plan for recommended format. Each plan
should include a basic supervisory skills course and may include
additional training in particular areas as needs are identified.
A format which can be used for the Plan is attached for guidance.
The final Plan should be submitted to the immediate supervisor for
concurrence.
All ODE supervisors should continue to seek training intended to
develop or enhance their supervisory skills or prepare them for
higher levels of supervision or management.
Each supervisor should maintain information concerning training
plans and accomplishments as a part of their performance
evaluation.
Support for selected training will be affected by the availability
of funds. For this reason, alternative sites and courses should
be included in the plan in order to ensure that the necessary
training can be obtained during the probationary period.
SUPERVISORY TRAINING CHECKLIST
There is a great deal of latitude for managers in identifying and
preparing training plans for supervisors. The following may be
useful, however:
Required for new An Individual Development Plan and
supervisors performance standards. The Plan
must include a minimum of 40-hours
of training development. This plan
must also include EEO training.
A basic skills course is the
"Introduction to Supervision Series
(IS)" offered through the Parklawn
Training Center (PTC). Check with
the PMO office for information
about registration procedures, etc.
Strongly encouraged Shorter courses focused on specific
for new supervisors areas or skills for new supervisors
- planning, delegation,
communication, dealing with
difficult people, stress
management, etc.
Strongly encouraged Courses focused on: Speaking and
for all supervisors writing skills, reviewing, and
editing the work of others,
evaluation skills; understanding
the law and regulations, policy
development.
Courses that develop interpersonal
skills such as those on listening,
dealing with difficult people,
delegating, negotiating, and stress
management.
Encouraged for Courses focused on: Legislative
experienced processes, broad societal issues
supervisors and their impact on the Executive
Branch, longer range planning for
program development, inter-
governmental relations, Executive
Training Series, and courses
developed by the FDA training
group. The latter are based upon a
needs survey of supervisors and
include segments on communication,
motivation, team building, and
leadership. This series is not
suggested for new supervisors.
There are several additional Parklawn Training Center (PTC) courses
which focus on specific or narrower aspects of supervision and
management. These include negotiation skills, time management, EEO for
managers, and managing multicultural organizations. All supervisors
should consider a course in stress management for their own benefit as
well as for the benefit of those they supervise. These courses are from
8 hours to 2-3 days in length. Fliers (usually on colored paper) concerning
their availability, scheduling, and how to register are circulated within OD.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers an extensive program of
supervisory training. Some courses are quite similar in scope and goals
to those offered through the PTC; others differ quite a bit. As an
example of the latter, OPM offers a course "Managing Scientists and
Engineers."
SOURCES OF INFORMATION CONCERNING TRAINING COURSES
o OPM Training Activities - in the training rack near Room 210
o FDA Training Activities - in the training rack near Room 210
o Parklawn Training Center - the 1992 Catalogue is available in
the training rack near Room 210
o Periodic fliers from PTC - posted on bulletin boards and
sometimes distributed to the
divisions
o Schedule for Interagency Training (OPM) - in the training rack
near Room 210
o General Information (Contractor Courses, Training
Organizations, etc.) - in the
training rack near Room 210
Robert L. Sheridan
Administrative Memorandum #A92-1 - Attachment, Page 1
A TRAINING PLAN should include a description of the OBJECTIVE(S)
of the training as well as a full description of the training
courses, their sites, costs, dates, etc. as well as the
performance standard for the training. The format of the PLAN is
not as critical as its clarity and completeness.
The following is offered as a formatted example of a TRAINING
PLAN. The OBJECTIVE is that for a probationary supervisor. The
COURSES include examples for both probationary and experienced
supervisors.
OBJECTIVE: To provide the probationary supervisor with a
minimum of 40-hours of supervisory training
development upon appointment. This must be
completed at the start of the probationary
period for new and completed within first
year after appointment as a supervisors.
COURSE TITLE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Supervision Parklawn Training Center; 40
hours;
Series (ISS) nominal; Broad
content - transition to
supervisor, delegation,
managing employees, teamwork,
etc.; within first 3 months of
appointment
Performance Standard:
Successful completion of a
course within established
timeframe and demonstrated
application of content in work
situation.
Planning Successful Parklawn Training Center; 10
hours;
Meetings* nominal; Content -
understanding meeting
protocols, planning an agenda,
facilitating group partici-
pation, controlling disruptive
behavior, etc.; within 6
months of appointment.
Performance Standard:
Successful completion of a course
within established timeframe and
demonstrated application of content
in work situation. Serving as
mentor to employees and sharing
skills with them.
EEO for Managers* Parklawn Training Center; 8
hours; nominal; Content -
making decisions free from
bias, recognizing and defusing
potential complaint
situations; within 9 months of
appointment.
Performance Standard:
Successful completion of a
course within established
timeframe and application of
content in work situation.
Interviewing Techniques** Office of Personnel
Management; 3 days; $365;
Content - types of interviews,
develop interview objectives
and strategies, avoid
unwarranted invasion of
privacy, effective
interpersonal communication,
develop a plan consistent with
agency goals and guidelines
and legal requirements; first
available date of the course.
Performance Standard:
Successful completion of a
course within established
timeframe and application of
content in work situation.
Sharing knowledge with other
supervisors (e.g., through a
seminar) and actively serving
as a mentor.
Management Control Reviews** Office of Personnel
Management; 3
days; $445; Content - Carry
out OMB and GAO mandates in an
effective manner; test
management control systems,
establish control objectives
to minimize waste, fraud and
mismanagement, determine
whether control techniques are
appropriate; this fiscal year.
Performance Standard:
Successful completion of a
course within established
timeframe. Sharing knowledge
with other supervisors (e.g.,
through a seminar) and
actively serving as a mentor;
as appropriate, analyze
management control system and
present findings to
superior(s).
* may be for new supervisors or continuing training for all
supervisors
** more likely for continuing training for supervisors
October 7, 1991
November 19, 1991
November 25, 1991
(Halyna's comments)
December 19, 1991
February 28, 1992
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