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Frequently Asked Questions regarding New Hire Orientation

• Q: What is WE ARE MMC?

  A: WE ARE MMC is the orientation program for new employees of Maine Medical Center. It also provides new employees with the opportunity to meet others and understand the culture of the organization they have joined. At the WE ARE MMC, new employees will learn:

  • Who WE are, including our parent organization, MaineHealth
  • How WE are “Centered Around You”: the employee, and our patients and families
  • Safe Patient and Family Centered Care
  • The Essentials of Safety and Wellness

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• Q: Who Attends Orientation?

  A: All New Employees

  Expectations for orientation:

  • To warmly welcome and engage new employees as members of the MMC community
  • To introduce new employees to MMC’s mission and strategic direction
  • To review essential, time sensitive information on MMC’s employee benefits plans
  • To provide an initial overview of essential information and contacts from Human Resources, Privacy, Security, Infection Control, Safety, and Employee Health.

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• Q: Where is it held?

  A: We Are MMC is held at the Charles Dana Education Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland Maine on Maine Medical Centers’ Bramhall Campus

  • Directions to MMC
  • Map of the Dana Center

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• Q: Where do I park?

  A: Employee parking for Orientation is available behind the First Atlantic Building at 222 St. John Street (behind Margarita’s Restaurant). Please follow the signs for MMC Employee Parking.

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• Q: Why shouldn’t I just park my car on the street and use a meter?

  A: The Portland Police Department regularly patrols the area. The chances for getting a parking ticket are high.

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• Q: Do I need a parking pass?

  A: Yes. You will receive a parking pass from Employment for your first week. You will have the opportunity to sign up for a regular parking pass during the first day of orientation.

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• Q: Can I park in the parking garage?

  A: The Congress Street Parking Garage is reserved for patients and families.

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• Q: Once I park, how do I get to the hospital?

  A: The Shuttle service will pick you up at the First Atlantic Lot and drop you off at the South Entrance of Maine Medical Center.

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• Q: How do I get back to First Atlantic Lot?

  A: The First Atlantic Shuttle bus will pick you up at the South Entrance of Maine Medical Center. The bus runs approximately every 10-15 minutes.

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• Q: What time should I be there?

  A: Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. Please allow at least 15 minutes to take the Shuttle from the First Atlantic Parking lot and complete Registration prior to the 8 a.m. start time for Orientation. If you arrive later than 8 a.m. you will not be admitted to Orientation and will need to go to the Employment office to reschedule.

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• Q: How long is Orientation?

  A: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Your hiring manager or a representative from the department will pick you up at 2:30 p.m. to begin your department orientation.

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• Q: What should I wear?

  A: Please dress appropriately. At a minimum, business casual attire is expected (no shorts, flip-flops, baseball hats, etc.) Scrubs are not necessary for new employee orientation. We are a fragrance-free environment

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• Q: What should I bring with me?

  A: Bring the Benefits packet given to you by Employment, a pen, and a notebook for taking notes.

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• Q: Are breakfast and/or lunch provided?

  A: Yes. There will be a continental breakfast and a box lunch provided for you. There will be a vegetarian choice and gluten-free food upon request.

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• Q: Who do I call on orientation morning if I am unable to attend or will be late?

  A: Call the Employment Office at 662-3842 and leave a message. If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late, please call the Employment Office to reschedule your Orientation day.

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• Q: What if I am sick that day?

  A: Call the Employment Office at 662-3842 to leave a message. Please call to reschedule if you have a temperature above 100.4°.

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• Q: How can someone reach me if there is an emergency?

  A: Call the Employment Office at 662-3842

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• Q: If I need to change my orientation date, how do I do that?

  A: Call the Employment Office at 662-3842

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• Q: Does MMC still have orientation on snowy days?

  A: Yes. We are a 24/7, 365 days per year facility. We rarely close for weather-related issues. If you have difficulty attending due to weather, contact the Employment Office at 662-3842 to reschedule your orientation date.

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• Q: Will I be paid for orientation? When/where do I get my first paycheck?

  A: Yes. Maine Medical Center is on a bi-weekly pay cycle. You will receive your first paycheck based on when your start date falls within the pay cycle. Your hiring manager or recruiter will be able to let you know. Your first paycheck will be a paper check. Then, you will have 30 days to enroll in direct deposit.

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• Q: When do my employee benefits start?

  A: Most of the benefits will begin the first of the month following your employment start date.

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• Q: What happens after General Orientation?

  A: Orientation to your Department/Unit starts after the WE ARE MMC General Orientation. Some of the topics covered during the first 30 days:

  • Departmental tour
  • Timecard
  • Work expectations
  • Customer service and respect standards
  • Emergency procedures
  • Safety procedures

  Nursing orientation takes place the first full week of every month. You will be sent the nursing orientation schedule via email to your home email address. If you do not have home email, the schedule will be mailed to you prior to your start date. Please bring the schedule with you to the first day’s orientation.

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• Q: Does MMC offer assistance in finding overnight accommodations if I am coming from away?

  A: Discuss the need for overnight accommodations with your hiring manager. He or she will make arrangements if needed.

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• Q: What if I need an interpreter during New Employee Orientation?

  A: Employment makes the arrangements for this service. Please let your recruiter know.

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• Q: I am expecting an important call, is it OK to have my cell phone on during orientation?

  A: Yes. There are breaks during the day to make calls in the Dana Center lobby. During the program, please put your cell phone on vibrate to lessen the disruption to the other program participants.

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• Q: If I am a former employee of Maine Medical Center, do I still need to go to Orientation?
  • If the break in service is less than 30 days, then you do not have to attend Orientation.
  • If the break in service is 31 days or more, then you do have to attend Orientation.
  • Internal transfers (within Maine Medical Center) do not need to attend

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