Personal and Professional Qualities of a Health Care Worker 1

OBJECTIVES  Explain how diet, rest, exercise, good posture, and avoiding use of tobacco and drugs contribute to good health  Demonstrate the standards of a professional appearance as they apply to uniforms, clothing, shoes, nails, hair, jewelry, and makeup.

Something to Think About…  Does a uniform create an impression on a patient?  Can the impression be poor ? Why or Why Not? 3

Introduction  It is important to present an appearance that inspires confidence and a positive self image  Research has shown hat within 20 seconds to 4 minutes, people form an impression about another person based mainly on appearance  Rules for Appearance May Vary  Certain professional standards apply to most health careers and should be observed to create a positive impression 4

Have You Ever…  Been a patient or visited a patient and a staff member come in dressed with their hair a mess, long acrylic nails, bulky makeup, smacking gum, or even smell bad?  Wondered how some people have a job when they look like a wreck? 5

Good Health  Health care involves promoting health and preventing disease  Health care workers serve as role models  Should present healthy appearance 6

Diet  One factor of good health  Eat well balanced meals with nutritious foods  Provides body with materials for optimum health  Foods from each of the five major food groups should be eaten daily

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Rest  Second factor of good health  Need adequate rest and sleep  Provides energy and ability to deal with stress  Amount of sleep needed varies from each person

Exercise  Third factor of good health  Maintains circulation and improves muscle tone  Helps mental attitude  Contributes to more restful sleep  Chose form best suited to your needs  obtain some type of exercise daily

Good Posture  Fourth factor of good health  Prevents fatigue and puts less stress on muscles  Stand straight with stomach muscles pulled in, shoulders relaxed, and weight balanced equally on both feet  Okay, Now Lets Demonstrate Good Posture…

Avoid Use of Tobacco and Drugs  Use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs seriously affects good health  Impairs mental function  Decreases ability to make decisions  Affects many body systems  Use of substances can result in loss of a job

Avoid Use of Tobacco and Drugs 13  Tobacco  Affects function of heart, circulatory system, lungs and digestive system  Smoke offensive to many people  Most facilities are smoke free enviroments  Alcohol and Drugs  Impair mental function  Decrease ability to make decisions  Affect many body systems  Use of these may result in loss of job

Uniform 14  Required in some health occupations  Should be neat, well fitting, clean and free from wrinkles  Some agencies require white, some allow colors  White or neutral undergarments must be worn under white uniforms  Large variety available- avoid extreme styles  Abide by facility policy

Clothing 15  Regular clothing worn in place of uniform in some careers  Must be clean, neat and in good shape  Style should allow for freedom of body movement  Should be appropriate for career postion:  Clean, neat jeans appropriate for OT  Jeans NOT proper for many  Washable fabrics usually best because frequent washing is necessary

NAME BADGE  Most facilities require personnel to wear name badge or photo identification tag  States name, title, and department of health care worker  In some facilities, name badge required by law

SHOES  White shoes frequently required  Fit well and provide good support to prevent fatigue  Low heels are best because they prevent fatigue and accidents  Avoid tennis shoes/sandals unless standard  Clean daily and clean or replace shoe laces frequently  Females wear white or beige stockings or socks with white uniform  Males wear white socks with white uniform

Personal Hygiene  Appearance communicates level of confidence and positive self-esteem  Health worker in close contact with others  Control Body Odor  Daily bath or shower  Use of deodorant  Good oral hygiene  Clean undergarments  Avoid strong odors that can be offensive  Tobacco use  Perfumes, scented hairsprays, aftershave lotions  Certain scents can cause allergic reactions in some individuals 18

NAILS  Keep short and clean  Long pointed nails could cause injury to a patient,  May puncture or tear gloves  Germs transmitted when dirt collects under nails  Avoid colored polish  Color conceals dirt that collects under nails  Polish chips from hand washing and germs collect on nails  Flash of colors can bother an ill person  Use hand cream to prevent cracking or chapping and dryness of hands

HAIR  Clean and neat  Styled attractively and easy to care for  Avoid fancy or extreme styles and hair ornaments  Pinned back and kept off collar  keep hair from touching patient  prevents hair from falling on tray or equipment  avoids blocking vision during a procedure

JEWELRY  Usually not permitted with uniform  Can cause injury to patient and transmit germs  Exceptions include  watch, wedding ring, and small pierced earrings  Avoid dangling earrings or earrings with hoops  Body jewelry such as nose, eyebrow, cartilage, tongue and others detracts from a professional experience and is prohibited  Excessive jewelry interferes with patient care and detracts from professional appearance

MAKEUP  Avoid excessive makeup  Should create natural appearance and add to attractiveness  No heavy foundation, eyeliner or eye shadow, and no bold lipsticks or lip-gloss

Check for Understanding  What are five main factors that contribute to good health?  List three rules pertaining to uniforms  Why must nails be kept short and clean?  Why should hair be pinned back and kept off the collar?  How do you determine correct appearance for a health care career? 23

Guided Practice/ Class Activity  Using paper provided by the instructor divide the paper into two halves  On one half, label as the following: “Incorrect Professional Appearance”  On the second half, label as the following: “Correct Professional Appearance”  Be sure to include examples of ALL elements discussed in this unit lecture 24