Exhibit Professionalism

Characteristics of Health Professionals

Professional

• What is a professional?

Professional

• A person who engages in a pursuit or activity professionally.

• Is extremely competent in a job.

• Skilled at the occupation.

Paraprofessional

• What is a paraprofessional?

Paraprofessional

• A person who is trained to assist a professional

• A representative of the profession.

Professionalism

• Why is professionalism important?

Professionalism

• Improves the confidence of the patients

• Improves relationships with the patients

• Improves relationships with co-workers

Professionalism

• What are the traits expected of a

professional?

Positive Traits

• All need to be practiced and learned

• Some take more time to develop than others

• Improving on these makes us better professionals, employees and co-workers

Empathy

• Ability to identify with and understand others feelings, situations and motives

• Requires sincere interest in working with people

• Need to care about others

Patience

• Be tolerant and understanding

• Control your temper

• Deal with frustration and overcome obstacles

Tact

• Saying the kindness or most fitting for the situation

• Demonstrates consideration for others

• Requires practice

Co-operation

• Allow others choices whenever possible

• Cooperate with schedules, wants and routines

Sensitivity

• Aware of people’s needs

• Aware of feelings and emotions

Respect

• Treat others with consideration

• Kind and courteous

Honesty/Credibility

• Truthfulness and integrity

• Others must be able to trust you

• Admit mistakes so that they can be corrected

• Keep promises

Dependability

• Accept the responsibility of the position

• Report to work on time

• Maintain attendance• Perform tasks on time• Be reliable

Responsibility

• Willing to be accountable for your actions

• Others can rely on you and know you will meet your obligations

Willingness to Learn

• Learn and adapt to changes

• Health care changes frequently

• May need to learn new techniques

• Continuing education required to remain competent

Acceptance of Feedback

• Some criticism will be constructive

• Don’t be resentful of negative feedback. Instead learn and improve

Enthusiasm

• Enjoy your work and display positive attitude

• Can be contagious

• Concentrate on the positive

Self Motivation

• The ability to begin and follow through

• Continue the task without constant direction

Adaptability

• Adjust or change to meet the patient needs

• New technologies, new treatments

Competence

• Qualified and capable

• Follow instructions, use approved procedures and strive for accuracy

AVOID Negative Traits

• Belittling

• Using

• Ignoring others

• Condescending

• Sarcasm

Personal Hygiene/Grooming

• List ways that healthcare personnel can project a professional image in their appearance.

Personal Hygiene/Grooming

• Portrays a professional image– clean hands

– scents

– makeup

– hair

– oral hygiene

– dress

Teamwork

• Health care professionals working as a team = quality care and service

Teamwork

• Quality health care is dependent on all doing their part.

• It is the team work of all health care workers that provides the service to the patient

•

What is a Team?

• A group with a specific goal • Each person has expertise• Each responsible for own actions and decisions • Members pool knowledge and ideas• Each works toward common goal• Members make plans, take action and reevaluate

future plans

Qualities of Team Members

• Respect for others

• Willingness to share knowledge

• Ability to make decisions

• Ability to agree, disagree, handle conflict and deal with differences

• Ability to stand and act alone when necessary

Conflict

• Conflict is part of human interaction

Conflict Management

• Ineffective Means of Handling Conflict:

– Erupting

– Withholding

Conflict Management

• Effective Means of Handling Conflict:

– Confronting

Conflict Management Skills

Define the conflict

View the conflict as a joint problem

State the problem

Conflict Management Skills

Check perceptions

Conflict Management Skills

Generate possible solutions

Reach a mutually acceptable solution

Implement the solution

Evaluate the solution