1. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Personal Appearance and Characteristics

2. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Objectives Explain how diet, rest, exercise, good posture, and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs contribute to good health. Demonstrate the standards of professional appearance as they apply to uniforms, clothing, shoes, nails, hair, jewelry and make-up. Create a characteristic profile of health care worker that includes at least eight to ten personal/professional traits or attitudes. Define, pronounce and spell all the key terms.

3. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Having Good Health.. Diet eating well balanced meals and nutritious foods provides the body with the materials needed for optimal health Rest adequate rest and sleep help provide energy and the ability to deal with stress Exercise maintain circulation and improves muscle tone, helps mental attitude, and helps with more restful sleep Good posture helps prevent fatigue and puts less stress on muscles Avoid use of tobacco, alcohol, & drugs Use can seriously affect good health. Tobacco affects the function of the heart, circulatory system, lungs, and digestive system. Alcohol and drugs impairs mental functions, ability to make decisions, and affects most of the body systems.

4. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 An Impression: As a worker in any health career, its important to present an appearance that inspires confidence and a positive self image. Research has shown within 20 seconds – 4 minutes people form an impression about another person based mainly on appearance.

5. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Uniform Its important that the health care worker learns what type and color of uniform is required or permitted and follow the standards established by the place of employment, but it should always be neat, well fitting, clean, and wrinkle free!

6. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Clothing The style of clothing you should wear to be a medical professional should allow freedom of body movement and should be appropriate for the job. If regular clothing is worn in place of an uniform, the clothing must be clean, neat, and in good repair.

7. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Name Badge Most health care facilities require personnel to wear name badges and/or photo identification tags at all times. A Name badge must include: The name, title, and department of the health care worker.

8. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Shoes Shoes should fit well and provide good support to prevent fatigue. Shoe laces must be cleaned and/or replaced often Tennis shoes avoid wearing these unless they are cleaned daily Low heels help prevent fatigue and accidents Stockings/pantyhose women should wear these with dress uniforms. Beige is usually worn. Colored or patterned should be avoided

9. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Personal Hygiene Good personal hygiene is essential. Healthcare workers typically work in close contact with others.Body odor must be controlled. A daily bath or shower, use of deodorant or antiperspirant, good oral hygiene, and clean undergarments all help prevent body odor. Strong odor caused by tobacco, perfumes, scented hair sprays, and after shaves can be offensive! Some scents can cause allergic reactions.

10. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Nails Nails should be kept short and clean. If finger nails are long or pointed, they can injure patients, transmit germs, and pathogens. Longs nails can tear or puncture gloves. The use of colored nail polish is discouraged because it can hide dirt that may be collected. Bright colors on nails could bother people that dont feel well. If nail polish is worn is should be clear or colorless and nails must be kept super clean. This protects you, as well

11. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Hair Hair should be neat and clean. It should be styled attractively and be easy to take care for. If the job requires close contact with patients, it should be kept pinned back and off the collar. Having your hair pinned back and off the collar prevents the hair from touching the patient, falling on a tray or on equipment, or blocking vision during procedures.

12. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Makeup The purpose of makeup is to create a natural appearance and to add to the attractiveness of the person. Excessive makeup should be avoided.

13. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Jewelry Excessive jewelry could interfere with the patients care and detracts from the professional appearance of the health care worker. Jewelry are most likely not allowed because it can cause injury to the patient and transmits germs and pathogens. Hoops not allowed Eyebrow, nose, and tongue piercing not allowed & takes away from the professional appearance Watch, Wedding ring.Small earrings sometimes allowed

14. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Empathy Empathy means being able to identify with and understand another persons feelings, situation, and motives. In order to be successful you must be sincerely interested in working with people. You must care about others and be able to communicate and work with them. Understanding the needs of people and learning effective communication is one way to develop empathy.

15. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Honesty Truthfulness and integrity are important in any health career field. Others must be able to trust you at ALL times. You must be willing to admit mistakes and correct them.

16. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Dependability Employers and patients rely on you, so you must accept the responsibility required in your position. You must be prompt in reporting to work and maintain and good attendance record. You must perform an assigned task on time and accurately.

17. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Willingness to Learn Education is required to remain competent in a particular field. Be prepared for life long learning to maintain a competent level of knowledge and skills. You must be willing to learn and adapt to changes. Heath care changes because of research, new inventions,and technological advances.

18. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Patience You must be tolerant and understanding if you are a health care professional or worker. You must learn to control your temper and count to 10 in many situations.

19. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Acceptance of Criticism Instead of becoming resentful, you must be willing to accept criticism and learn from it. Some criticism can be constructive and allow you to improve your work. Remember that everyone has some areas where performance can be improved.

20. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Enthusiasm You must enjoy your work and display a positive attitude. Enthusiasm is contagious! Enthusiasm helps you do your best and encourages others to do the same. If you dont like some parts of your job, concentrating on the positive points can help diminish the importance of the negative points.

21. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Self-motivation This is the ability to begin or follow through with your tasks. You should set goals and work to reach those goals. You should be able to determine things that need to be done and do them without constant direction.

22. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Tact It requires constant practice. Its important to remember that all individuals have a right to their respective feelings, and that these feelings should not be judged as right or wrong. Being tactful means having the ability to say or do the kindest and most fitting thing in a difficult situation. Tactfulness is having consideration of the feelings of others.

23. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Competence Being competent, means that you are capable and qualified of performing a certain task. You follow instructions, use approved procedures, and strive for accuracy in all you do. You know your limits and ask for help or guidance if you don't know how to perform a procedure.

24. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Responsibility Responsibility implies being willing to be held accountable for your actions. Others can rely on you and know that you will meet your obligations. Responsibility is doing what youre supposed to do.

25. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Discretion You must always use good judgment in what you say and do. In a health care career, you will have access to confidential information that needs to be kept confidential. Information shouldnt be told to anyone with out proper authorization. Patients are entitled to privacy. You must be discreet and ensure that the patients rights are not going to be violated.

26. © Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008 Be a Team Player In any health care field, you will become part of a team. It is essential that you become a team player and learn to work well with others. Each member of a health care team will have different responsibilities and needs to fulfill their duties. The patients outcome depends on it. By working together a team can accomplish goals much faster than one person could.