1. Personal Qualities of a Healthcare Professional
Health Science 2

2. Objective
Health care workers use human relations when dealing with patients and coworkers
In the health care workplace, personal traits like character, values, morals, ethics, integrity, and trustworthiness are vital.
Students will identify necessary character traits and analyze professional behavior.

3. Health care and trust
In health care, building a relationship of trust between the client and health care professional is a vital factor in providing quality health care.

4. Factors involved in self-understanding
Self-acceptance
Self image
Values
Self-confidence (believe in oneself)
Relationships with others (qualities that make a person likable)
Genuineness and trustworthiness
Self Awareness = How a person thinks of oneself or an experience will determine how they feel (attitude) or behave (action taken by an individual)
Understanding and accepting of oneself leads to high self-image or esteem
Values - Make up the system each individual uses to measure or evaluate the worth of ideas, people and things in the world; Formed early in life as a result of the environment and experience
Our Actions and attitudes stem from value systems
Self Confidence
Building relationships

5. Character Traits Professionalism(who you are)
Personal values (individual’s worth)
Reputation (Character in the community)
Morals (right and wrong)
Integrity (sound moral principal)
Trustworthy/Respect/Honesty

6. Characteristic Traits
Empathy
Dependability/responsible
Willingness to learn/competent
Patience
Acceptance of criticism
Enthusiasm
Self motivation/ team player
Discretion

7. Why are these traits important?
Multiple decisions must be made everyday
Can be life threatening
Judgement and decision making skills must be refined!
Who, what, where, when and most important WHY???
Decisions carry thought and carry significant consequences

8. Clothing and Personal Appearance
The health care professional must be aware of the non-verbal messages being sent by clothing and appearance and how these factors influence client’s perception of the health care professional.

9. Initial impressions Appearance Grooming and hygiene Posture
Facial expressions
Handshake
Verbal greetings
Personal adornments
Clothing

10. “Judge a book by its cover”
It is possible to “choose” the image portrayed to clients by being aware of nonverbal cues sent by appearance and dress
The impression created by these cues reflects the quality of care clients expect to receive
The initial interaction lays the foundation for the client – health care professional relationship

11. What do you see? Appearance Impression Dirty
Unreliable and unprofessional
Body piercing & tattoos
Unprofessional, unreliable, immature,
Dangerous
Clean and Neat
Professional and reliable

12. Clothing Most health care professionals wear some type of uniform
To present professional appearance and inspire confidence:
Clothing should fit properly
Be in good repair (free from tears, missing buttons, broken zippers, uneven hemlines)
Shoes should be neat, clean, and comfortable
Clients expect professionals to maintain a high standard of cleanliness

13. Why choose a career in health care?
Nature of the duties, working conditions and opportunity for advancement in health care occupations
Opportunity to work with people, data or things to complement the interests and abilities of the worker
Opportunity to meet new challenges
Stable salary and employment
Flexibility

14. Disadvantages Long hours Physically demanding Emotionally draining
Exposure to communicable diseases
Litigation
On call hours
Understaffing/mandatory overtime
Work on weekends and holidays

15. Do you fit into these descriptions and are you willing to take on all of the advantages and disadvantages to pursuing a career in health care? (activity)