Stephanie is a new Staff Educator of a private tertiary hospital. She conducts orientation among new staff nurses in her department. Joseph, one of the new staff nurses, wants to understand the channel of communication, a span of control, and lines of communication. Which of the following will provide this information?
A. Organizational structure
B. Policy
C. Job description
D. Manual of procedures
Correct Answer: A. Organizational structure
Organizational structure provides information on the channel of authority, (i.e., who reports to whom and with what authority) the number of people who directly report to the various levels of hierarchy, and the lines of communication whether line or staff.
Option B: Policy is a law, regulation, procedure, administrative action, incentive, or voluntary practice of governments and other institutions. Policy decisions are frequently reflected in resource allocations. Health can be influenced by policies in many different sectors.
Option C: Job description is a broad, general, and written statement of a specific job, based on the findings of a job analysis. It generally includes duties, purpose, responsibilities, scope, and working conditions of a job along with the job’s title, and the name or designation of the person to whom the employee reports.
Option D: A procedures manual contains the policies, guidelines, and processes for the whole organization. It exists to help employees do their jobs in an approved and consistent manner.