Professionalism - Dissected Talk about it in your groups What is the difference between a job and a profession? What is the benefits and drawbacks of each Name some of each category Group work: Whats the difference

True professionals establish excellence as their goal and never allow themselves to become complacent about their performance.

Professionalism: Is it something that is given to you, or something that is from you outwards? Professionalism is the conduct or qualities that characterize an expert practitioner in a particular field or occupation.

American New: introducing new recruits officially into the foundation of the municipality

Code of Ethics Professional status as an Paramedic is maintained and enriched by the willingness of the individual practitioner to accept and fulfill obligations to society, other medical professionals, and the profession of Paramedicine. As an Paramedic, I solemnly pledge myself to the following code of professional ethics: A fundamental responsibility of the Paramedic is to conserve life, to alleviate suffering, to promote health, to do no harm, and to encourage the quality and equal availability of emergency medical care. The Paramedic provides services based on human need, with respect for human dignity, unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race creed, color, or status. The Paramedic does not use professional knowledge and skills in any enterprise detrimental to the public well being. The Paramedic respects and holds in confidence all information of a confidential nature obtained in the course of professional work unless required by law to divulge such information. The Paramedic, as a citizen, understands and upholds the law and performs the duties of citizenship; as a professional, the Paramedic has the never-ending responsibility to work with concerned citizens and other health care professionals in promoting a high standard of emergency medical care to all people. The Paramedic shall maintain professional competence and demonstrate concern for the competence of other members of the Emergency Medical Services health care team.

A Paramedic assumes responsibility in defining and upholding standards of professional practice and education. The Paramedic assumes responsibility for individual professional actions and judgment, both in dependent and independent emergency functions, and knows and upholds the laws which affect the practice of the Paramedic. A Paramedic has the responsibility to be aware of and participate in matters of legislation affecting the Emergency Medical Service System. The Paramedic, or groups of Paramedics, who advertise professional service, do so in conformity with the dignity of the profession. The Paramedic has an obligation to protect the public by not delegating to a person less qualified, any service which requires the professional competence of an Paramedic The Paramedic will work harmoniously with and sustain confidence in Paramedic associates, the nurses, the physicians, and other members of the Emergency Medical Services health care team. The Paramedic refuses to participate in unethical procedures, and assumes the responsibility to expose incompetence or unethical conduct of others to the appropriate authority in a proper and professional manner. Written by: Charles Gillespie M.D.

The Role of the Uniform

The Role of Language Use of your soft skills Modern terminology The pitfalls Change in some words: “gay”, “sick”, “like” etc Which ones do you use? Watch out for them

What is a ‘game face’ Things that detract from the game face. Exercise 1 List -

What is a ‘game face’-cont Importance of it When to use it When not to use it Why bother How to develop it

Working with Different Generations What’s the challenge? What is their ‘norm” in terms of culture? Do YOU know anything about that? How to bridge gap What is your role?

Paramedic Association of Canada NOCP expectations http://paramedic.ca/nocp/nocp_professionalresponsibilities/ Lets review these This is what is expected of you to start

Ongoing working aspects of YOUR professionalism Keeping track of your own CME needs Skill maintenance and knowledge Keeping up with the industry and trends Conferences, reading, podcasts and ways to learn Good working relationship with allied health Don’t be someone always in conflict, at odds Education and Research (Education of you, the public) and research into new ideas-keep Paramedicine advancing Balance in professional life Pride in what you do, keep in perspective, prevents burnout