Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 1 Chapter 3 Work Ethics

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 2  Ethics deals with right conduct and wrong conduct.  Work ethics deals with behavior in the workplace.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 3 HEALTH, HYGIENE, AND APPEARANCE  Your health  Diet  Sleep and rest  Body mechanics  Exercise  Your eyes  Smoking  Drugs  Alcohol

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 4  Hygiene and appearance  Bathe daily.  Use deodorant or antiperspirant.  Brush your teeth.  Shampoo often.  Keep fingernails clean, short, and neatly shaped.  Menstrual hygiene is important.  Look neat, clean, and professional.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 5 GETTING A JOB  Ways to find out about jobs  Newspaper classified ads  Local state employment service  Agencies you would like to work at  Phone book yellow pages  People you know  The Internet  Your school’s or college’s job placement counselors  Your clinical experience site

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 6  Employers want employees who:  Are dependable  Are well groomed  Have the needed job skills and training  Have values and attitudes that fit with the agency  Have the qualities and traits for good work ethics

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 7  Guidelines for completing a job application  Read and follow the directions.  Write neatly.  Complete the entire form.  Report any felony arrests or convictions as directed.  Give information about employment gaps.  Tell why you left a job, if asked.  Provide references.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 8  Be prepared to provide the following: Social security number Social security number Proof of citizenship or legal residence Proof of citizenship or legal residence Proof of required training and competency evaluation Proof of required training and competency evaluation Identification Identification  Give honest responses.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 9  The job interview  Greet the interviewer in a polite manner.  Stand until asked to take a seat.  Sit in a professional manner.  Look at the interviewer.  Watch your body language.  Give complete and honest answers.  Speak clearly and with confidence.  Avoid short and long answers.  Review the job description with the interviewer.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 10  When you accept a job, agree on a starting date, pay rate, and work hours.  New employee orientation  The policy and procedure manual is reviewed.  Your skills are checked.  You are shown how to use the agency’s supplies and equipment.  Preceptor programs are common.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 11 PREPARING FOR WORK  Plan for childcare  When you leave for work  While you are at work  Before you get home  During emergencies  Transportation  Plan for how to get to and from work.  Always have a back ‑ up plan.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 12 TEAMWORK ON THE JOB  Attendance  Report to work when scheduled and on time.  Follow the agency’s attendance policies.  Be ready to work when your shift starts.  Stay the entire shift.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 13  Your attitude  Show that you enjoy your work.  Listen to others.  Be willing to learn.  Stay busy.  Use your time well.  Always think before you speak.  Gossip  Avoid being part of gossip.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 14  Confidentiality  Patient and resident information is confidential.  Agency and co ‑ worker information is confidential.  Avoid eavesdropping.  Hygiene and appearance  Home and social attire is often improper at work.  Clothing must not be tight, revealing, or sexual.  Follow the agency dress code.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 15  Speech and language  Do not swear or use foul, vulgar, or abusive language.  Do not use slang.  Control the volume and tone of your voice.  Speak clearly.  Do not shout or yell.  Do not fight or argue with the person, family, or co ‑ workers.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 16  Courtesies  Address others by Miss, Mrs., Ms., Mr., or Doctor.  Begin or end each request with “please.”  Say “thank you” whenever someone does something for you.  Apologize when you make a mistake or hurt someone.  Hold doors open for others.  Hold elevator doors open for others.  Let patients, residents, families, and visitors enter elevators first.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 17  Personal matters  You could lose your job for tending to personal matters at work.  Keep personal matters out of the workplace.  Wait until break or lunch to make personal calls.  Meals and breaks  Leave for and return from breaks on time.  Tell the nurse when you leave and return to the unit.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 18  Planning your work  Follow the nurse’s directions.  Check the Kardex and the care plan.  Use your assignment sheet to plan your care.  Set priorities. Do the most important tasks first.  Organize your care but be flexible.  Gather needed equipment.  Handle problems before they grow.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 19 Problem Solving Steps  Identify the problem  Collect information  List possible solutions  Make a decision  Plan and take action

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 20 HARASSMENT  Harassment means to trouble, torment, offend, or worry a person by one’s behavior or comments.  Harassment is not legal in the workplace.  Sexual harassment involves unwanted sexual behaviors by another.  Victims of sexual harassment may be men or women. Men harass women or men. Men harass women or men. Women harass men or women. Women harass men or women.

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 21 RESIGNING FROM A JOB  Do not leave a job without notice.  Giving 2 ‑ weeks’ notice is a good practice.  Include the following in your written notice:  Your reason for leaving  The last date you will work  Comments thanking the employer

Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 22 LOSING A JOB  You must perform your job well and protect patients and residents from harm.  Otherwise you could lose your job.