Chapter 1 Your Career in Health Care

Objectives Describe essential core qualities demonstrated by effective HC professionals. Describe major approvals used to ensure the competency of HC professionals. List personal factors that should be considered when choosing health care career. Describe 4 classifications of HC careers State educational and certification, registration, and/or licensing requirements of HC occupations Explain meaning of "thinking like a HC professional.“ Apply the 5-step problem-solving process to make effective decisions. Use study techniques that complement your preferred earning style. Explain the meaning of "learning for mastery.“ Describe advantages & challenges experienced by adult learners

Future of Health Care Health care service 1 of largest industries in United States (U.S.) 14.3 million jobs in 2008 Growing need for health care professionals Wide variety of career opportunities Work can be very fulfilling Baby Boomer = Born Post WWII from

Question True or False: 10 of the 20 fastest growing jobs today are in health care. True Including home health aide, medical assistant, dental assistant, & surgical technologist

Your Future in Health Care Work contributes to well-being of others Work can be demanding All tasks must be done thoughtfully & conscientiously Work must be taken seriously Must devote full attention to everything you say & do Consequences of mistakes can be devastating

7 Essential Qualities of Health Care Professionals 1. Care about others 2. Have integrity:  honest at all times  respect for all people 3. Be dependable  perform work accurately & completely  Work w/o constant supervision & reminders 4. Work well c others

7 Essential Qual. Health Care Professionals, cont. 5. Be flexible  willing to adapt to changing conditions & emergencies 6. Be willing to learn  acquire knowledge & keep up c advances in technology & health care 7. Strive to be cost-conscious

Question Which of the following best demonstrates the meaning of integrity? A. Earning good grades B. Being honest at all times C. Using time efficiently B. Being honest at all times Honesty is important aspect of integrity

Standards for Health Care Professionals Certification person has meet predetermined standards requires education & passing professional exam Ex’s: Certified medical assistant Certified nursing assistant Certified occupational therapy assistant

Standards for Health Care Professionals Registration Placement on official list after meeting educational & testing requirements (ie predetermined standards) Ex’s: Registered nurse Registered respiratory therapist Registered medical assistant

Standards for Health Care Professionals Licensure Has a license granted by gov. agency (usu’ly), often the state License gives formal permission to legally perform certain tasks Req’s may vary from state to state the word “licensed” not appear in person’s title usu’ly

Standards for Health Care Professionals Licensure Career Ex’s: Licensed practical nurse Dental hygienist Dentist

Question To work as a massage therapist, Kelly must obtain approval from her state. This is called _____. A. Licensure B. Registration C. Certification Licensure Obtaining approval to practice profession or perform certain tasks Usu’ly from gov. agency

Career Ladders Levels of occupations within professional field Levels Req. different amts of education &/or training

Career Ladder ex: Nursing occupations ranked from most to least education required 1. Nurse Practitioner 2. Registered Nurse (RN) 3. Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse (LPN) 4. Certified Nursing Assistant

Career Categories 1. Therapeutic & Treatment occupations Assist patients to regain/attain maximum wellness 2. Diagnostic occupations Determine causes & extent of illnesses & injuries 3. Information occupations Gather, analyze, organize, store, and document patient data 4. Environmental occupations Develop & maint therapeutic environments to support patient care

Therapeutic & Treatment Occupation Fields Dental Emergency medical Massage therapy Medical office Mental health Nursing Occupational therapy

Therapeutic & Treatment Occupation Fields Pharmacy Physical therapy Respiratory therapy Surgery Veterinary Vision care

Question True or False: A nephrologist specializes in the tx of the brain & nervous system. False Nephrologist specializes in kidneys Neurologist specializes in brain & nervous system

Diagnostic Occupation Fields Diagnostic imaging Medical laboratory

Health Information Management Occupation Fields Registered health information technician Medical transcriptionist Coding specialist

Environmental Occupation Fields Dietary service Biomedical engineering

Question Which of following might be best choice for an individual who would enjoy helping patients regain their mobility after surgery? A. Surgical technologist B. Physical therapist C. Occupational therapist B. Physical therapist Physical therapists work c pts to improve physical fx by incr’ing muscle strength, range of motion, & movement

Question Which of following occupational therapy occupations req’s the most education? A. Certified occupational therapy assistant B. Occupational therapy aide C. Occupational therapist Order from most to least education: Occupational therapist Certified occupational therapy assistant Occupational therapy aide

Learning to Think like a Health Care Professional Aim for understanding Have organized approach to problem- solving Apply learned material to new situations Base decisions on facts Create relationships among facts

Locate reliable sources of information Base decisions on ethical principles Practice good communication skills Understand what tasks are allowed to be performed in one’s profession Learning to Think like a Health Care Professional, cont

Thinking Like a Health Care Professional Use questions in thinking Gather information Expands view of subject or situation Prevents simply accepting circumstances or making assumptions

Thinking Like a Health Care Professional Examples of thinking questions: What do I already know about this? Why is this important? Who benefits from this? What might work best? When should this be done? How can I be more efficient?

Problem-Solving Process/Steps 1. Identify problem 2. Gather information 3. Create alternatives 4. Choose alternative & take action 5. Evaluate & revise as needed

1. Identify Problem “Problem” may only be symptom of real problem Observe, pay attention, & confront difficult issues Look beyond the obvious Use questions effectively Problem-Solving Process/Steps

Question What is the third step in the problem-solving process? A. Gather information B. Look for alternatives C. Take action Third step: Create alternatives it follows identification of problem (step 1) and gathering of information (step 2)

2. Gather Information Information must be accurate & reliable Separate assumptions, opinions, & emotions from facts Collect Objective data Can be observed or measured Also known as Signs Problem-Solving Process/Steps

2. Gather Information Collect Subjective data Needs, feelings, and desires When reported by patient, includes pain & physical feelings Also known as Symptoms Conduct research & ask for help as needed

Question True or False: A severe headache reported by a patient is an example of a sign. False Symptom Anything reported by patient that cannot be observed or measured by health care professional

3. Create Alternative Solutions Generate possible solutions and actions Consider all possibilities Consider potential positive & negative consequences of each alternative Discard ideas clearly impractical or unworkable Problem-Solving Process/Steps

4. Choose Alternative & Take Action if don’t follow-thru, opportunities missed using problem-solving process fosters confidence in making right decision Problem-Solving Process/Steps

5. Evaluate & Revise as Needed Review results of actions Even what seems the best plan may prove ineffective or have negative consequences Circumstances can change May be necessary to make adjustments Own needs & those of pts & facility may change Problem-Solving Process/Steps

Establishing Good Work Habits Practice using good workplace habits in school Care about others  Show respect for classmates  Be courteous Have integrity  Do own work  Be honest

Establishing Good Work Habits Practice using good workplace habits while in school, cont: Be dependable Arrive to class on time Do assignments accurately Work well c others Be understanding Participate in class

Establishing Good Work Habits Practice using good workplace habits while in school, cont. Be flexible  Accept instructional differences & changes in class schedules Be willing to learn  Take studies seriously

Getting the Most from Your Studies Individuals learn in different ways Identify own dominant learning style Develop study techniques that work best for own style

Learning Styles Visual learners Learn best from seeing printed materials & images Ex’s of study techniques: Read text Study illustrations Watch DVD

Learning Styles Auditory learners Learn best by hearing information Ex’s of study techniques: Listen to CD or tape Attend supplementary lectures Read aloud

Learning Styles Kinesthetic learners Learn best from hands-on activities Ex’s of study techniques: Perform lab activities Put together models Stand or move about while reading

Learning for Mastery Learn for understanding Rather than memorization of facts Understand why info is important & how it can be used Learn to apply information to new situations you will encounter on job

Returning Adult Learners May worry about returning to school Have many life experiences & skills they can apply to studies E.g., ability to set priorities, good communication skills

Returning Adult Learners Biggest problem can be finding time for studies Solutions: Create daily, prioritized to-do list Schedule time to study Set times to spend c family

Returning Adult Learners Solutions: Create personal organization techniques to save time Delegate tasks Ask for needed help