joy in work masthead 779x324
resilience
Joy in Work
An improvement-science framework to foster wellbeing in the workplace.
T

he Resiliency Center has reimagined it's “Wellness Champions” program to the newly minted “Joy in Work” program.

Amidst escalating demands on time, resources, and energy, healthcare professionals are grappling with increasing rates of disillusionment, burnout and turnover. In response to these challenges, the Resiliency Center’s new Joy in Work program emerges as a beacon of change, aiming to foster a culture of flourishing for individuals and teams; across divisions and departments. 

Recognizing that the ability to experience joy in work transcends the mere absence of burnout or individual wellness, joy emerges as a systemic attribute, influenced by organizational dynamics and culture. Its presence (or absence) reverberates across staff wellbeing and engagement, patient experience, care quality, safety, and overall organizational performance. 

Two ways to foster Joy in Work

Based on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Framework for Improving Joy in Work, the Resiliency Center’s Joy in Work program has two components:

  1. Joy in Work Foundations Course, an annual one-day intensive training
  2. Joy in Work Facilitator Training Program, a training and certification program to support “Joy in Work Facilitators” as they implement a Joy in Work team project or initiative over the course of an academic year.  

Together, these programs cultivate a thriving work environment by empowering healthcare professionals with the tools and support needed to foster joy, resilience, and meaningful change across University of Utah Health. 

1. Joy in Work Foundations Course

Overview: 

Utilizing the evidence-based “Framework for Improving Joy in Work” from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the Joy in Work Foundations Course serves as a day-long retreat and immersive training, equipping participants with essential knowledge, tools, support, and resources to empower Joy in Work within their roles and spheres of influence.

Details:

When:  September 24, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (View Presentations Here)
Where: Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House 

What to Expect:

Learn more about the Joy in Work model, including the Nine Components of Joy in Work. The course includes interactive sessions to apply positive change management within your role, teams and context, with tailored breakout sessions for individuals, managers and team leaders, and organizitional leaders.

You will gain practical tools, learn from experienced practitioners, and become familiar with strategies to address resilience, well-being, fulfillment, and flourishing in the workplace. You’ll leave feeling empowered to initiate projects that improve metrics like burnout, engagement, patient safety and turnover rates.

You’ll also have access to resources for ongoing support, and receive an invitation to participate in the Resiliency Center’s “Joy in Work Facilitator Training Program”, an academic-year long training and certification program to learn how to lead a change initiative on your team

Open to all U of U Health employees and teams. Discover practical tools for positive change, and connect to what matters to you.

joy in work w tagline 1920x1080

2. Joy in Work Facilitator Training Program

Overview:

The Resiliency Center's Joy in Work Facilitator Training Program aims to support a culture of flourishing at the University of Utah by equipping participants to lead wellbeing initiatives within their teams utilizing the IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work.   

University of Utah Health employees may apply to this this academic-year-long training and certification designed to give participants the knowledge and skills necessary to launch initiatives within their group or team intended to enhance wellbeing, build resilience, and foster meaning and purpose in daily work, while optimizing the work environment and structures.   

Joy in Work Facilitators play a pivotal role in driving positive change within their clinics, academic units, offices, or frontline teams. Ideal participants are mid-level faculty or staff from clinical, educational, research, or administrative areas who are committed to collaborating with leadership to improve team wellbeing. 

What to Expect:  

Once accepted, Joy in Work Facilitators receive training, support and guidance from experts at the Resiliency Center in identifying significant needs within their department or team, initiating and executing impactful projects, and evaluating the impact of the projects. At the end of the program, participants will have the opportunity to share the results of their projects by participating in the Evidence-based Practice and Well-being Poster Fair in spring 2025.

Upon successful completion of the training, facilitators earn a digital badge from University of Utah Professional Education, recognizing their expertise in Quality Improvement, Improvement Science, and Employee Well-being. This badge serves as a valuable credential, demonstrating leadership in promoting healthier, high-performing teams.  

Dates and Timeline:

October 15, 2024: Joy in Work Team Improvement Facilitator Application Deadline

October 17, 2024, 12-1pm: Session 1- "Engagement and Preparation"

November 13, 2024, 12-1pm: Session 2- "Planning and Getting Started"

January 15, 2025, 12-1pm: Session 3- "Implementation and Measurement"

March 19, 2025, 12-1pm: Session 4- "Wrapping-Up and Reporting Out"

April 17, 2025, 10am – 12pm: Evidence-Based Practice Poster Fair

*All coaching sessions will be recorded and distrubuted to participants who are unable to attend live. 

<< APPLY HERE >>

Responsibilities of the Resiliency Center: 

  • Provide training on the Joy in Work model: 
    • Provide training on how to prepare for and conduct a “What Matters to You?” conversation. 
    • Provide support for sorting feedback and choosing impactful change initiatives/projects.  
    • Support the identification of quality metrics and instruments for pre/post measurements. 
    • Lead facilitator coaching sessions. 
  • Offer ongoing mentorship, support, collaboration, and sharing of best practices, through regularly scheduled open-office hours. 
  • Act as a resource and advocate for the Joy in Work Facilitator. 

Responsibilities of the Joy in Work Facilitator: 

  • Lead a team through the Joy in Work initiative with the Resiliency Center's support: 
    • Engage key stakeholders and leadership support for Joy in Work. 
    • Conduct “What Matters to You?” conversations with the team. 
    • Develop projects based on feedback from these conversations. 
    • Determine necessary resources and costs. 
    • Identify and utilize quality metrics. 
    • Implement and measure projects. 
  • Attend quarterly meetings to collaborate and learn best practices. 
  • Present project results at an annual poster session. 

Resources + Archive

Huntsman Mental Health Institute Resources

  • Crisis Line: 801-587-3000 (24/7) or call 988
  • Warm Line: 801-587-1055 (8am-11pm)
  • Safe UT App

General National Crisis Call & Text Lines

  • Call 800-273-8255
  • Text HOME to 741741

Physician Support Line

  • Call 888-409-0141
  • Available Monday-Friday 8am-11pm EST (6am-9am MST)

Joy in Work Foundations Course: 2024

Sept. 24, 2024 | 8:30am–4:00pm

Course Presentations

Wellness Champions: 2022

Sept. 27, 2022 | 8:30am–3:30pm

Course Agenda and Presentations

2021 Program Overview

Wellness Champions Program Description

Program Agenda and Presentations

Oct. 5, 2021 – Fall Wellness Champions Foundations Course Agenda

2020 Program Overview

Wellness Champions Program Description

Program Agendas & Slides

October 27, 2020 - Fall Wellness Champions Retreat Agenda 

February 9, 2021 - Spring Wellness Champions Retreat Agenda

Support

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive the latest insights in health care impact, improvement, leadership, resilience, and more.