1. PERSONAL QUALITIES OF A HEALTH CARE WORKER Certain personal/professional characteristics, attitudes, and rules of appearance apply to all health care professionals.

2. Warm-Up Use Complete Sentences “You have been told by the hospital that you need to hire help to care for your aging mother/father unless you are willing to place her/him in a nursing home. You have decided that you would hire assistants and now need to interview caregivers to care for your family member 24/7”. Explain the 4 most important qualities you would look for, including why. In your paragraph/s include 3 questions you would ask your potential caregiver.

3. PERSONAL APPEARANCE Important to present an appearance that inspires confidence and a positive self-image It only takes from about 20 seconds up to 4 minutes for someone to form an impression about another person based mainly on appearance

4. PRESENT A HEALTHY APPEARANCE Diet –well-balanced meals and nutritious foods Rest –Adequate rest and sleep help provide energy and the ability to deal with stress Exercise –Maintains circulation and improves muscle tone

5. PRESENT A HEALTHY APPEARANCE CONT’D Good Posture –Helps prevent fatigue and puts less stress on muscles Avoid Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs –These can seriously affect good health –Affects function of heart, circulatory system, lungs and digestive system –Most health care facilities are “smoke- free”

6. PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE There are rules or standards of dress and personal appearance in health care facilities. -Uniform-Nails -Clothing-Hair -Name Badge-Jewelry -Shoes-Makeup -Personal Hygiene

7. . Professionalism brings together who you are as a person and how those traits contribute to the workplace Personal Values: things that have a high degree of worth to the individual Reputation: character in the view of the community Morals: capability to differentiate between right and wrong Integrity: of sound moral principal

8. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS What are some personal/professional characteristics and attitudes required in the health occupations?

9. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS CONT’D Empathy -being able to identify with and understanding another person’s feelings, situation, and motives -sincerely interested in working with people -must care about others and be able to communicate and work with them Honesty -Truthfulness and integrity -must be willing to admit mistakes

10. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS CONT’D Dependability -Accept the responsibility required in your position -Prompt in reporting to work -Maintain good attendance record -Must perform assigned tasks on time and accurately Willingness to learn -Change often requires learning techniques or procedures -Lifelong learning (CEUs)

11. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Patience -Be tolerant and understanding -Control you temper and “count to ten” in difficult situations -Learn to deal with frustration and overcoming obstacles Acceptance of Criticism -Some criticism will be constructive and allow you to improve your work -Accept such criticism and learn from it- improve!

12. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Enthusiasm -Enjoy you work and display a positive attitude -Enthusiasm is contagious -Concentrate on the positive aspects of your job Self-Motivation-self-initiative -ability to begin or to follow through with a task -able to determine what needs done and do it without constant direction -set goals for self and work to reach them!

13. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS TACT -having the ability to say or do the kindest or most fitting thing in difficult situations -need consideration for the other person’s feelings COMPETENCE -being qualified and capable of performing a task -follow instructions, use approved procedures, and strive for accuracy in all you do -know your limits and when to ask for help!

14. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Responsibility -being willing to be held accountable for your actions -others can rely on you and know that you will meet your obligations -you do what you are suppose to do! Discretion -use good judgement in what you say and do! -respect the rules of confidentiality and only share information with those who have the “need to know” and only with proper authorization -respect patient’s rights in health care

15. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Team Player In any health care field, you will become part of a team In any health care field, you will become part of a team –Work well with others –Each member of the health team must do his or her part –Working together allows goals to become accomplished faster

16. TO SUMMARIZE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Realize that each of the characteristics discussed must be practiced and learned Some take longer than others to develop Be aware of these characteristics, constantly strive to improve Results in you providing good patient/resident care and becoming valuable to your clients and your employer!!

17. WHAT IS TEAMWORK? WHAT DOES TEAM WORK LOOK LIKE?

18. TEAMWORK Developed to provide quality holistic health care to every patient (teaming) Consists of many professionals, with different levels of education, ideas, backgrounds, and interests, working together for the benefit of the patient Must understand roles Good interpersonal relationships are also essential

19. What can I do to develop good interpersonal relationships? Maintain a positive attitude Learn to laugh at yourself Be friendly and cooperate with others Assist others when you see they need help Listen carefully when another person is sharing ideas or beliefs Respect the opinions of others even though you may not agree with them Be open-minded and willing to compromise

20. What can I do to develop good interpersonal relationships cont’d Avoid criticizing other team members Learn good communications skills so you can share ideas, concepts, and knowledge Support and encourage other team members Perform your duties to the best of your ability Deal with conflicts in a positive and professional way

21. STRESS HOW DO YOU DEFINE STRESS?

22. STRESS The body’s reaction to any stimulus that requires a person to adjust to a changing environment. Heart attack=internal stressor New Job=external stressor **Everyone experiences a certain degree of stress on a daily basis**

23. Questions to ponder…… Does every person feel the same stress? What factors define stress for an individual? Is all stress harmful?

24. STRESS “NOT ALL STRESS IS HARMFUL” Not all stress is harmful. In fact, a small amount of stress is essential to an individual’s well- being because it makes a person more alert and raises the energy level.**

25. STRESS HOWEVER SOME CAN BE HARMFUL……. *If stress causes negative feelings, such as frustration, irritability, anger, depression, self-criticism, emotional or physical exhaustion or emotional outbursts, it is harmful.* BE AWARE OF STRESSORS and LEARN METHODS TO CONTROL THEM!

26. MANAGE STRESS REACTIONS STOP –Immediately stop what you are doing to break out of the stress response BREATHE –Take a slow deep breath to relieve the physical tension you are feeling REFLECT –Think about the problem at hand and the cause of the stress CHOOSE –Determine how you want to deal with the stress

27. STRESS REDUCING TECHNIQUES Live a healthy life Take a break from stressors Relax Relieve tension Rely on others Meditate Enjoy a hobby Avoid over commitment Delegate to others/ask for help

28. TIME MANAGEMENT Using time management can help reduce and manage stress. TIME MANAGEMENT=a system of practical skills that allows an individual to use time most effectively and productively.

29. GOALS Effective Goal Setting 1.State goals in a positive manner 2.Define goals clearly and precisely 3.Prioritize multiple goals 4.Write goals down 5.Make sure each goal is at the right level

30. Flexibility Remember that even with careful planning things do not always go as planned. Unexpected emergencies, a new assignment, a complication, and / or over scheduling are common events in the life of a health care worker. You may need to reevaluate goals and revise the plan. **Remember Patience, Practice, and Honest Effort**