Your first induction day

Must haves

Make sure you have your ID badge.
Make sure you have all the relevant access codes.
Read any mandatory training modules as they emphasise on data protection, discrimination and other important modules like infection control (most valuable for getting to know your hospital’s prescribing policy).
If you are expected to carry a bleep, make sure you know where to collect it from - this is usually switchboard.
Find out how the bleep phone system works and the most common numbers you will need to know such as your registrar’s bleep number.
Make sure you can recognise the crash bleep and how to respond to it.

Speak to others who are starting in your department who are at induction with you.
Take a notebook or write down important staff members’ details, ward codes, bleep numbers in your phone.
Get a copy of your rota and be clear about what hours you will be expected to do.
Find out who your clinical supervisor and educational supervisor is and try to organise a formal meeting with them as soon as possible.
Need someone to talk to? A BMA rep will be at your lunch, grab them for a chat about the benefits available to you.

Download a map and walk around the hospital to orientate yourself.
This includes finding the hospital canteen, cash and food dispensers, on call rooms (if relevant) and doctors mess, if available.
It may be a good idea to locate the radiology department if you know you will have to speak to them in your role (check with the current team).
Visit your department to meet your team which will include the senior registrar and foundation doctors.
Ask about your consultant’s timetable and what duties you will be expected to do and when.