CHAPTER 2 The Healthcare Professional Professionalization Healthcare Professionals Nurses Pharmacists Allied Health Professionals Healthcare Administrators Considerations for Human Resources Management The Changing Nature of the Health Professions Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Healthcare Professionals As healthcare evolves, more professionals are needed who are empowered to make decisions without direct supervision. Functional training teaches personnel to perform tasks but does not teach the theory behind the practice. Theory is also essential. Healthcare workers include practitioners (e.g., doctors, nurses, dentists, physicians’ assistants), administrators, and allied health professionals. Healthcare workers are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, ambulatory care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, physicians’ offices, research institutes, and more. Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Healthcare Professionals Nurses: the art of caring with the essence of science Assessment Diagnosis Planning Implementation Evaluation Registered nurse versus licensed practical nurse Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Healthcare Professionals Pharmacists RPh versus PharmD State-board certified Changing role of the pharmacist Allied health professionals Professionals who deliver health-related services Disease prevention Nutrition Rehabilitation and therapy Requires education and training Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Healthcare Professionals Healthcare administrators Organize, coordinate, and manage healthcare Postsecondary education required Bachelors and/or master’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or public health Growth of the profession 10,000 healthcare administrators in 2007, up from 5,700 in 1990 Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

The Role of HR Management in Healthcare Qualifications of HR personnel Education, experience, judgment ability, accountability, physical and communication skills, and certification or licensure Primary roles Verifying credentials Education services Practitioner management Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

The Changing Healthcare Profession The 1990s: The meaning of health redefined Boundaries of healthcare professionals reshaped Outcomes of healthcare interventions changed New ways of thinking about quality of life Three major changes Shift to outpatient care and cost containment Technological advances Medical innovation Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Healthcare Trends Affecting HR Hospitalists and changing hospital–physician relationships Decreased reimbursements Alternative therapies Interdisciplinary patient care teams Recruitment and retention Entrepreneurship Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press