1. Chapter 24: Caring for your Career and yourself

2. Learning objectives
Discuss different types of careers in the healthcare field
Explain how to find a job and how to write a resume
Demonstrate completing an effective job application
Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques
Describe a standard job description
Discuss how to manage and resolve conflict
Describe the employee evaluation process including appropriate responses to criticism
Explain how to make job changes
Discuss certification and explain the state’s registry
Describe continuing education
Define stress and stressors
Explain ways to manage stress
Describe a relaxation technique
List ways to remind yourself of the importance of the work you have chosen to do

3. Different types of careers in the healthcare field
Careers available in healthcare field
All of the following careers are available within the healthcare field:
Nursing assistant
Home health aide
Patient care technician
Nurse
Physician assistant
Doctor
Occupational therapist
Support staff (e.g. records, billing, and office personnel)
Dentist
Dietician
Pharmacist/pharmacy tech
Chiropractor
Massage therapist
Homeopathic practitioner
Teacher
Remember: There are many possible careers in health care. If, at some point, you wish to explore other options, speak to a supervisor, instructor, or career counselor about the education needed to change jobs.

4. How to find a job and write a resume
Ways to find a job
Documents required when applying for a job
Resume
What a resume should contain
Tips for resume writing
Cover letter
NAs can target potential employers by using the following resources:
Internet
Classified ads
Department of Social Services or Department of Aging
Instructors and their employers and contacts
The following documents are generally required when applying for a job:
Identification such as driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, or passport
Proof of legal ability to work in the United States
Credentials such as school diplomascourse completion/graduation certificates (NA certification), including the names of instructors
Letters of reference from former employers or teachers, not family or friends
A resume is a summary or listing of relevant job experience and education.
A résumé should contain the following information:
Contact details
Educational experience, starting with most recent
Work experience, starting with most recent
Special skills
Memberships in professional organizations
Volunteer work
Indication that references are available on request
When writing a résumé, remember these tips:
Keep it brief (one page is best)
Use nice, plain paper (white or cream color)
A cover letter should include the following items:
Date
Sender’s name, address, phone number, and address
Recipient’s name and address
Salutation
Introduction (include position you are seeking)
Body (how your skills/experience fit the job)
Closing and signature

5. Completing an effective job application
General info needed for a job application
The following general information is needed for a job application:
Your address, phone number, and address
Birth date and social security number
Training school and dates, certification number
Previous employers’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and addresses; and dates of employment
Salary information from previous jobs
Reasons why you left former jobs
References, including phone numbers and addresses
Availability (days and hours)
Brief statement about why you are changing jobs

6. job interview techniques
Making a good impression
These tips can help you make a good impression at a job interview:
Shower or bathe and use deodorant.
Brush your teeth.
Wear only simple makeup and jewelry or none at all.
Clean and file your nails.
Style clean hair simply.
Shave or trim facial hair before interview (men).
Dress neatly and appropriately.
Do not wear perfume or cologne.
Do not smoke beforehand.
Arrive 10 or 15 minutes early.
Introduce yourself.
Answer questions clearly and completely.
Make eye contact.
Avoid slang.
Never eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke.
Sit up or stand up straight.
Do not bring friends or children with you.
Relax and be confident.

7. Standard job description
Points about job descriptions
Job applicants should know these points about job descriptions:
Agreement between employer and employee
States responsibilities and tasks
Includes skills required, to whom employee reports, and salary
Protects both parties
Protects employee from change in duties without notification
Protects employee from being fired for something unrelated to job description
Protects employer from employee saying that she did not know certain duties were required
Reduces misunderstandings
Can be used if legal issues arise

8. Manage and resolve conflict
Guidelines for resolving conflict
Remember: Everyone experiences conflict at some point, but conflict at work may hard productivity and the workplace environment if it is not managed or resolved.
Remember these guidelines for resolving conflict:
Plan to discuss the conflict at the right time and in the right place.
Do not interrupt.
Do not get emotional.
Check body language.
Keep focus on the issue at hand.
Be prepared to brainstorm solutions and to compromise.

9. Employee evaluations and appropriate responses to criticism
Hostile criticism
Constructive criticism
Evaluations
The best response to hostile criticism is “I’m sorry you are so disappointed.”
Remember these ways to make constructive criticism beneficial:
Ask for details.
Ask for suggestions.
Apologize and move on.
Evaluations are often the basis for advancement and salary increases. Employees who are open to constructive criticism and use their employers’ suggestions for improvement will benefit most from the evaluation process.

10. How to make job changes Notice
NAs and HHAs must give at least two weeks’ written notice before leaving a job. Residents/clients and staff will suffer if the facility or agency is understaffed, and leaving without proper notice will make it more difficult to get hired in the future.

11. Certification and state registries
General guidelines for certification
Points to remember about state registries
Although requirements vary from state to state, these general guidelines apply to certification:
Certain time frame to take the state test
Test must be taken within that time or NA will have to take new training course
NA must work for pay during 24 months
NA usually has three chances to pass test
NA must keep certification current
Remember these points about state registries:
Required by OBRA
Often maintained by state’s Department of Health
Contains NA’s training information, results of exams, any findings of abuse, neglect, or theft
Employers can access to verify certification and check for abuse investigations/findings

12. Continuing education
You must have 12 hours of continuing education each year. Some facilities have in-service trainings while others use computer-based training.
The NA has these responsibilities for receiving continuing education:
Sign up and know the location.
Attend class.
Pay attention and complete requirements.
Participate.
Keep records of attendance.

13. Stress and stressors
Stress is the state of being frightened, excited, confused, in danger, or irritated. A stressor is something that causes stress.
Both positive and negative situations can cause stress. It is important to be aware of stress levels and manage stress effectively, no matter the cause.

14. Ways to manage stress Guidelines for stress management
Problems from not managing stress effectively
Appropriate resources for managing stress
The following guidelines can help with stress management:
Healthy diet
Exercise
Enough sleep
Drinking only in moderation
Not smoking
Doing something relaxing (bath, reading, movie, being in nature, something artistic, yoga, exercise, massage, music, meditation). These are relaxation techniques.
The following problems can result from not managing stress effectively:
Showing anger or being abusive toward residents/clients
Arguing with your supervisor
Having poor relationships with coworkers and residents/clients
Complaining about your job and your responsibilities
Feeling work-related burnout
Feeling tired even when you are rested
Having a difficult time focusing
These are all appropriate resources for managing stress:
Supervisor/care team member
Family
Friends
Support group
Place of worship
Doctor
Mental health agency
Phone hotline
It is never appropriate to discuss your stress with residents or their family members.

15. Ways to remind yourself of the importance of the work you have chosen
You have learned a lot in this course! Don’t forget to value the work you have chosen to do. It is important work. Your work can mean the difference between living with independence and dignity and living without them. The difference you make is sometimes life versus death. Congratulate yourself for choosing a path that includes helping others along the way.

16. Review Discuss different types of careers in the healthcare field
Explain how to find a job and how to write a resume
Demonstrate completing an effective job application
Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques
Describe a standard job description
Discuss how to manage and resolve conflict
Describe the employee evaluation process including appropriate responses to criticism
Explain how to make job changes
Discuss certification and explain the state’s registry
Describe continuing education
Define stress and stressors
Explain ways to manage stress
Describe a relaxation technique
List ways to remind yourself of the importance of the work you have chosen to do
This chapter outlined where to look for a job, how to complete a job application, write a resume, and a cover letter. The evaluation process was discussed and methods to accept constructive criticism were explored. Stress was defined, and means for healthy stress relief were provided. Congratulations on the completion of this course!