Skills for Health Care Workers
Beyond a Desire to Help is a Need for Talents and Abilities
Aug 31, 2009
Jobs in health care are growing rapidly and are expected to continue to do so over the next decade and beyond. This is due to two major factors. The population is aging and as such will require more health care. The population is also growing which means that the demand for health care professionals will also grow.
Health care is not for everyone. Just having a strong desire to help people is not always enough. For obvious reasons, some people will shy away from the field such as a strong aversion to blood, smells and death; all three of which are a constant in most health care professions.
A Desire to Help and Then Some
Beyond a desire to care and help is a need to be professional and an ability to disassociate from the emotional. This can seem cold and cruel, and taken to an extreme it is. Bedside manner is in large part about being able to empathize and understand. It is also about being able to make decisions based on knowledge and information while not being persuaded or overly influenced by the personal and emotional ties. This is not an easy task.
Health care workers are professionals and must conduct themselves in a professional manner even in their personal lives and live up to a code of ethics. There is a scope of practice dictated by the education, skill level, licensure and job description. The boundaries of that scope cannot be crossed.
Education can be Lengthy
At a minimum, careers in health care will require a high school diploma and some may require more than ten years of college or graduate school level education and specific training. Reading at a tenth grade level or more is necessary for almost all health care jobs. Math and science courses are required prerequisites to become professionals such as practitioners, nurses, therapists and technicians.
Communication skills, technical skills, problem-solving skills and leadership skills are essential as well. The ability to read, write and speak in the language native to the country of practice is usually mandated. For example, in the U.S. licensed health care workers are required to read, write and speak English. The proficiency in the language can impact the level of respect and trust from patients as well as co-workers.
Rapport and Trust are Essential to Success
A positive attitude and a pleasant demeanor are also imperative to building rapport and establishing a level of mutual trust with patients, caregivers and other professionals. An inquisitive mind and a willingness to never stop learning new things, techniques and skills is also necessary. Medicine is not an exact science and is constantly evolving and improving.
Team Work
Health care is a team effort and each individual needs to be willing to share information and work together to help the patient achieve the best possible wellness and outcomes. At the same time, many aspects of health care are comprised of small segments of care for a spell of illness and therefore many members of the team may not always see the final outcome or receive any recognition for their part. Health care professionals must be dedicated to always putting forth their best efforts.
Making a Difference When it Isn't a Positive Result
A positive outcome does not always consist of a cure or complete wellness. It may be as simple as a comfortable, dignified death. Health care professionals need to be able to cope with this and to realize that although they could not save the patient, they made a difference in the quality of life and death.
Health care is not for everyone. But for those who possess these skills and qualities, health care is one of the most rewarding careers.
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