Personal Qualities of a Health Care Worker

1. Personal Qualities of a Health Care Worker

2. Personal Appearance • Important to present an appearance that inspires confidence and a positive self image. • Research has shown that within 20 seconds to 4 minutes people form impressions based mainly on appearance

5. Who would you like to be your doctor or nurse?

6. Healthcare workers should present a healthy appearance.

7. Good Health • Diet • Rest • Exercise • Good posture • Avoid tobacco, alcohol, drugs

8. DIET • Eat well balanced meals with nutritious foods • Provides body with materials for optimum health • Foods from each of 5 food groups • Milk, meat, fish and poultry; veggies, fruits and bread, cereals, rice and pasta

9. REST • Need adequate rest and sleep • Provides energy and ability to deal with stress • Amount of sleep required varies from person to person

10. EXERCISE • Maintains circulation and improves muscle tone • Helps mental attitude • Contributes to more restful sleep • Obtain some type of exercise daily

11. GOOD POSTURE • Prevents fatigue and puts less stress on muscles • Stand straight with stomach muscles pulled in, shoulders relaxed, and wt. balanced equally on both feet

12. AVOID USE OF TOBACCO & DRUGS • Use of these seriously affects health • Tobacco affects function of heart, circulation, lungs and digestive system • Smoke is very offensive to many people • Most facilities are now “smoke-free” environments • Alcohol & drugs affect mental function • Decreases ability to make decisions • Affects many body systems • Use of a substance can result in loss of a job

13. Professional Appearance

14. Uniform • Should be neat clean, free from wrinkles, fit well

15. Clothing • Clean, neat, good repair • Style should allow for freedomof body movement • Should be appropriate for position • Clean, neat jeans may be appropriate for recreational therapist. • Jeans not appropriate for many health occupations

16. Name Badge • Name, title, department • Health care workers are required to wear identification • Many hospitals require photo badge

17. Shoes • White often required • Fit well • Provide good support • Low heels • Avoid tennis shoes unless are standard dress • No open toes • Avoid colored or patterned stockings

18. Personal Hygiene • Daily bath/shower • Deodorant • Good oral hygiene • Avoid perfumes, aftershave, scented hairspray

19. Nails • Should be short and clean • Long nails can injure patients and transmit germs • Long nails can puncture gloves • No colored polish • No artificial nails

20. Hair • Clean and neat • No extreme styles or colors • Long hair must be pulled back in order to avoid obstructing vision & falling into patient

21. Jewelry • Jewelry generally not permitted exceptions maybe a watch, wedding ring, small pierced earrings • Can cause injury to pt. , transmit microbes

22. Makeup • Excess should be avoided • Purpose is to create a natural appearance

23. Personal Characteristics

24. Empathy • Ability to identify with others, understand another’s feelings and motives • Must have sincere interest in working with people • Care about others and be able to communicate with them • Understand needs and learning effective communications one way to develop empathy.

25. Honesty • Integrity & truthfulness • Others must be able to trust you • Be willing to admit mistakes so they can be corrected.

26. Dependability • Prompt in reporting to work • Perform tasks on time & accurately • Accept responsibility that your position requires

27. Willingness to learn • Will likely need to learn new techniques & procedures • Lifelong learner • Changes will occur • Maintain competent level of knowledge & skills

28. Patience • Tolerant & understanding • Control temper & “count to ten” • Learn to deal with frustration and overcome obstacles

29. Acceptance of criticism • Patients, employers, co-workers & others may criticize you • Some criticism will be constructive and allow you to improve your work. • Must be willing to accept and be willing to learn from it.

30. Enthusiasm • Must enjoy your work • Display a positive attitude • Concentrate on + points

31. Self-motivation • Follow through with a task • Initiative • Set goals and work to reach the goals

32. Tact • Having the ability to say the kindest or most appropriate thing in a difficult situation • Everyone has a right to their own feelings and these feelings should not be judged as right or wrong • Shows consideration of the feelings of others • Requires constant practice

33. Competence • Qualified and capable of performing a task • Follow instructions • Strive for accuracy • Use approved procedures • Know your limits and ask for help if needed

34. Responsibility • Being willing to be held accountable for your actions • Meet your obligations • Do what you are supposed to do

35. Discretion • Use good judgment in what you say and do • Ensure patient’s rights are not violated • Health care-you will have access to confidential info-should not be told to anyone without authorization

36. Team player • Learn to work well with others • Each member must do his or her part to provide the pt. with quality care • By working together, a team can accomplish goals much faster than an individual

37. SUMMARY • All characteristics and attitudes must be practiced and learned • Some take more time to develop than others • Be aware of these characteristics • Strive constantly to improve • Will help you provide good patient care • Will make you valuable asset to your employer and others