LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 11 Clinical Rotations

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Embrace New Skills Implement new skills in a clinical setting Practice on friends and family if possible Practice in the lab before demonstrating in your clinical rotation

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Anxieties and Concerns Realize you are not alone Manage your anxiety –Use relaxation techniques –Talk to your clinical mentor for reassurance –Take advantage of school resources Prepare for schedule changes –Tap into your support network

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Embrace Diversity Clinical rotations: –Offer a great opportunity to meet and work with all kinds of people with differing backgrounds –Help prepare you for your future career in health care The more you interact with others, –the more you will understand people with a different background –the more effective you will become in your job

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Professional Code of Ethics Addresses: –Professionalism –Confidentiality –Patient rights and safety –Cultural diversity –Personal conduct

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Professionalism Maintain professional conduct in clinical area Be a team member Stay within bounds of knowledge and skills Provide safe care through understanding and following policies and procedures

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Confidentiality Private patient information includes: –Health records –Data on billing and payment –Insurance information –Prescriptions –Symptoms and diagnosis –Test results –Personal information related to health care

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Confidentiality (cont’d) Keep patient information private –If others discuss private patient info, plead ignorance or change the subject Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) –Failure to comply can result in civil penalties

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Tips for Maintaining Patient Privacy Protect passwords by logging off the computer when you’re done Keep patient charts closed or put away when not in use Ensure faxes and computer printouts are not left unattended Dispose of unneeded patient information in special receptacles

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Tips for Maintaining Patient Privacy (con’t) Avoid discussing patients in casual conversation Use a quiet voice when sharing necessary information with other on the health care team Remove patient-identifying information before handing in written classwork

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Patient Rights and Safety Patients have a right to get involved –View patients as partners –Help them get involved in their treatment Keep patients safe –Check for trip-and-fall hazards –Be responsible for equipment safety –Perform proper hand washing

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Protect Yourself Handle substances such as blood and human tissue as if they are infectious Notify instructor if injury or contamination occurs Use proper body mechanics to avoid common back injuries Handle chemicals carefully

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stop the Spread of Infection Basic precautions: –Wash your hands before and after patient care –Wear proper attire –User mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or ventilation devices in place of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation –Become familiar with your facility’s infection control policies and procedures –Handle needles and sharps carefully and immediately discard them in designated disposal unit after use

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Planning Ahead Know the dress code Know the equipment Know your mentor Know the facility

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Know the Dress Code Keep your uniform clean Wear your ID badge near your collarbone Choose professional shoes Keep it simple –Not the place for jewelry, perfume or cologne, or unusual hairstyles

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Know the Equipment School will supply list of equipment Have ready for first day: –Notebook –Pen or pencil –Personal ID –Vehicle license plate number –Consider PDA and cell phone

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Know Your Mentor Don’t make judgments based on other students’ opinions –Get to know your mentor before forming an opinion Be polite and respectful –Address mentor with stated title preference Ask about mentor’s background If you feel you have been unable to develop a good relationship, schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns

LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Know the Facility Attend clinical orientation Work out logistics Follow the facility’s policies and procedures Take the experience seriously, behave well, act like a good guest