The Health Care Worker Introduction to Health Science

Journal Entry Describe an experience you had in a healthcare setting (hospital, dentist, healthcare express, etc.). Was it a good or bad experience? What made it good or bad (long wait time, rude people, painful procedures with no pain meds, etc.)?

Empathy To be able to identify with and understand the feelings, situation and motives of another person

Honesty Truthfulness and integrity – others must be able to trust you at all times. Must be willing to admit mistakes so steps can be taken to correct them.

Dependability/Responsib ility Must be prompt in reporting to work and maintain good record of attendance Must perform assigned tasks on time and accurately. People can trust you to do your job!!

Competence Being competent and capable of performing your job. You can follow instructions and procedures correctly. You must strive for accuracy! Life and function depend on it.

Willingness to Learn Must be willing to make a LIFE LONG commitment to learning in order to keep up with changes and also to maintain licensure, certifications.

Patience Must be tolerant and understanding. Must be able to control your temper Must be able to overcome frustration and obstacles

Acceptance of Criticism Must be able and willing to accept constructive criticism and learn from it. Patients, employers and co- workers will criticize you – learn to deal with it. Everyone has room for improvement!!

Enthusiasm Enjoy your work and have a positive attitude Concentrate on positive not negative points of job Remember – enthusiasm is contagious!!

Self-Motivation Have the ability to begin and follow through on a task Be able to prioritize and set goals on your own

Tact Being able to say or do the kindest or most fitting thing in a difficult situation. You must respect the feelings of others and their right to have differing opinions.

Team Player Works well with others. Each member has different responsibilities but each is important to accomplish the goal of quality care. Fantastic motivational teamwork montage video - YouTube

Discretion Use good judgment in what you say and do. Confidentiality – it’s every patient’s right. Remember HIPAA!!

Professional Behavior Cursing or coarse language has no place in the health care environment – keep your language clean and professional Watch the clowning and joking – humor is o.k. but in the right amount and context!

Medical Records – Not So Confidential!! The following were in the book of world records…..

Longest Ear Hair Radhakant Bajpai, 50, of Naya Ganj, India, is one of many medical record breakers to make their way into this year's Guinness World Records Book. The hair sprouting from his outer ears measures 13.2cm (5.19 inches) at its longest point and was confirmed by Dr R P Gupta. Mr Radhakant said: "God has been very kind to me."

Longest Attack of the Hiccups Charles Osborne ( ) of Anthon, Iowa, the US, started hiccupping in 1922 while attempting to weigh a hog before slaughtering it. He was unable to find a cure, and continued hiccupping until February 1990, a total of 68 years. During the first few decades, he hiccupped up to 40 times a minute, slowing to 20 a minute in later years.

Stretchiest Skin Garry Turner, of Caistor, Lincolnshire, England, stretched the skin of his stomach to a distended length of 15.8 cm (6.25 in) on the set of Guinness World Records: Primetime in Los Angeles, California, US, on October 29, Garry has a rare medical condition called Elhers-Danlos Syndrome, a disorder of the connective tissues.

Largest Tumor Ever Removed The largest tumor ever removed intact was a multi-cystic mass of the right ovary weighing kg (303 lb), performed by Professor Katherine O'Hanlan of Stanford University Medical Center, the US, in The patient weighed 95 kg (210 lb) after the operation and left the operating room on one stretcher. Her cyst left on another.

303lb Tumor

Journal entry: What type of appearance do you want your health care professional to have – would tattoos, body/facial piercing or black nail polish bother you in a health care worker?

Professional Appearance Most people form an opinion about a person in 20 seconds to 4 minutes after meeting them. These impressions are based mainly on appearance. A health care worker must present an appearance that inspires confidence and promotes a positive self image.

Do you feel like this is appropriate????

Uniform Many health care professions require a uniform – individual work environments will dictate what is acceptable. General guidelines are that any type of uniform should be clean, neat, properly fitting and not extreme in style. With white uniforms, avoid colored undergarments.

UNIFORMS!!! I know I look good!!!

Name Badges Most facilities require staff to wear name badges identifying name, title & department Required by law in long term care facilities. For security and for patients to know care givers name/ title.

Shoes Neutral color such as white or black often required with uniform. Should be neat, clean and in good repair – including clean shoe laces. Low heels, good support, closed-toe and non-skid soles to prevent accidents & fatigue.

Shoes What to wear: What not to wear:

Short and clean Long, pointed nails can injure patients or tear gloves Germs collect under long nails Avoid dark polish – conceals dirt No artificial nails – harbor germs NAILS

Hair Clean and neat Pulled back to keep from falling forward to touch patient or equipment or blocking vision No extreme colors, styles or hair ornaments

Hair Probably not the best choice of hair style!!!

Jewelry Avoid dangling earrings or earrings with hoops as can be pulled by patient causing injury to ear

Jewelry Avoid rings with sets that are raised as they can tear gloves, harbor germs and injure patients

Jewelry Avoid necklaces as they can be pulled by patient and cause injury or get in the way of procedures

Jewelry Visible body piercing is not acceptable in the health care environment. Tongue studs are also often prohibited.

Jewelry Acceptable jewelry with a uniform includes simple ear studs, plain wedding bands and a watch.

Makeup Should be natural in appearance and add to attractiven ess Avoid excess and heavy makeup

Tattoos Visible tattoos are not acceptable in most health care environments

What’s that Smell??? Ok, your patient’s won’t be doing the underarm sniff test – but, they will be able to smell you if you don’t use good oral and body hygiene to prevent body odor and bad breath. Be clean and wear deodorant. Use mouthwash or mints as needed.

What’s that Smell??? AVOID ALL PERFUMES OR COLOGNES AND HIGHLY FRAGRANCED LOTIONS. CAN TRIGGER NAUSEA, ALLERGIES OR RESPIRATORY DISTRESS.

Professional Appearance and Behavior Inspire confidence in you patients!!!