Transcript Pesonal Qualitites of HC Worker

Personal Qualities of Healthcare
Workers
Although healthcare workers are employed in a variety of facilities,
certain characteristics apply to all professions.
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Personal
Professional
Attitudes
Rules of appearance
Good Health
A healthcare worker should present a healthy
appearance.
Diet
Rest
Exercise
Good Posture
Avoid Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs
Diet
 Eating a well balanced diet provides energy for the
day and provides for optimal health
 Foods from the five major food groups (milk, meat,
vegetables, fruits and breads (cereals, rice pasta)
Rest
 Adequate rest and sleep help provide energy and
ability to deal with stress.
 Amount of sleep rest varies from person to person
but should be about 7-8 hours per night
Exercise
 Exercise maintains circulation
 Improves muscle tone
 Helps mental attitude
 Contributes to more restful sleep
 People should choose a form of exercise best suited
for them
Good Posture
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Prevents Fatigue
Less stress on muscles and joints
Proper body mechanics
Basic Principles – standing straight, shoulders back,
stomach in, weight balanced
Avoid - Tobacco, Alcohol & Drugs
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Can seriously effect health
Effects function of heart, lungs and digestive system
Odor of smoke is offensive to many
Smoke free environment
Impair mental function
Decrease ability to reason and make decisions
Result in job loss
Professional Appearance
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Uniform
Clothing
Name badge
Shoes
Personal Hygiene
Nail
Hair
Makeup
Uniforms
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Many healthcare facilities require a uniform
Neat
Well fitting
Some agencies require white (scrubs or lab coat)
Colors may identify groups of workers – lab,
radiology, ER, Therapy, house keeping, dietary
Clothing
If a uniform is not required clothing should be
professional/business dress
 Clean
 Neat and good repair
 Allow for body movement
 Washable, durable fabrics
Name Badge
Most healthcare facilities require workers to wear name
badge or Photo ID
 Name
 Title
 Department
 Some instances its required by law (long term care)
Shoes
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Many facilities require white
Shoes should fit well and provide good support
Low heels are best – prevent fatigue and accidents
Avoid sneakers and sandals (unless it recommended
in a particular field)
 Cleaned regularly
 Shoe laces tied
 White or beige stockings (Women) – colors should be
avoided
Personal Hygiene
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Work in close contact with others
Body odor must be controlled!!
Daily bath or shower
Antibacterial & Deodorant soap
Deodorant and antiperspirant
Good oral hygiene
Clean undergarments
Certain Scents can be offensive – tobacco, perfume,
hairspray, aftershave
 Allergic Reactions to some scented products
Nails
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Short and clean – can injure patients
Transmit germs
Tear or puncture gloves
Colored nail polish should be discouraged
 Hide dirt
 Chips can hold bacteria
 May be offensive
Clear polish and hand creams should be used
Hair
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Kept clean and neat
Styled attractively and easy to care for
Should be kept off collar
If close contact is part of job
 Pinned back or pinned up
Jewelry
 Usually not permitted with a uniform
 Can cause injury
 Transmit germs
Exceptions sometimes include watch, wedding band
but not engagement rings.
 Earrings with hoops or dangling should be avoided
 Body jewelry is detracts from professional
appearance
 When uniform is not required it should be limited
Makeup
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Excessive makeup should be avoided
Purpose of makeup is create a natural appearance
Excessive makeup can get on patients
Some find it offensive
Personal Characteristics
Many personal/professional characteristics are required
in the healthcare environment.
 Empathy – identify with and understand patient, care
about patient
 Honest – Trustworthy
 Dependability – be able to rely on you
 Willingness to learn – adapt to ever changing
environment
 Patient – tolerant and understanding
Personal Characteristics
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Accept Criticism
Enthusiasm
Self-motivated – ability to begin and follow-through
Tact – tasteful
Competence – qualified
Responsibility – held accountable
Discretion – good judgment
Team Player – work well with others
Teamwork
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Maintain positive attitude
Be friendly and cooperative
Assist others when they need help
Listen carefully when others are speaking
Respect others opinions
Open-minded
Avoid criticizing others
Support and encourage others
Perform duties to the best of your abilities
Leadership
Todays healthcare everyone needs to be a leader
** Leadership is the ability or skill to encourage people to
work together
Characteristics of a good leader:
 Respect the rights, dignity and opinions of others
 Understand principles of democracy
 Works with a group and guides to a goal
 Understand strengths and weaknesses
 Communicates effectively and clearly
 Shows self-initiative
 Shows optimism
 Praises others
 Dedicated to meeting high standards
Classification of leaders
1. Democratic leader – encourages participation of
entire group
2. Laissaez-faire Leader - Informal type leader
3. Autocratic Leader - Dictator, maintains total control
Stress
Stress is defined: as the body’ s reaction to any stimulus
that requires a person to adjust to a changing
environment
Stress
The stimuli to change or alter your behavior are called
Stressors.
 Can be situations, events or concepts
 Can be internal or external
 Internal Stressor – Heart attack or illness
 External Stressor – new job or moving
Stress
Everyone deals with a certain amount of stress in their
daily life.
 Its how you deal with that stress that can cause
problems with the body.
 Not all stress is harmful:
 Some small amounts of stress is important to well being:
makes a person more alert and raises energy levels.
 Make quick decisions, more organized, motivated and
confident
Stress
 The way an individual deals with stress determines if
the stress is:
 Positive Stress
 Negative Stress
Positive Stress
Positive Stress causes:
 Self-Confidence
 Positive feelings
 Sense of Achievement
 It’s Helpful
Negative Stress
 Negative Stress:
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Boredom
Frustration
Irritability
Anger
Depression
Distrust
Emotional Outburst
Negative Stress
 Negative Stress can lead to:
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Substance Abuse
Alcohol Abuse
Over Eat
Burnout
Mental Breakdown
Stress
These negative effects on the body is why a person has
to be aware of stressors and learn methods to control
them.
Controlling Stress
First Step is to Identify Stressors
 Recognize the flight or fight symptoms
 When stressful situations arise:
 Note what the event was
 Why did you feel stressed
 How much stress did you experience
 How did you deal with it.
IE: Stressor - Driving to work each day.
Solving or Eliminating Stress
Use the Problem Solving Method
 Gather Information
 Identify the problem
 List possible solutions
 Make a plan
 Act on your Plan
 Evaluate the results
 Make changes if necessary