24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 1

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 1. Discuss different types of careers in the healthcare field All of the following careers are available within the healthcare field: • Nursing assistant • Home health aide • Patient care technician • Nurse • Physician assistant • Doctor • Occupational therapist

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 1. Discuss different types of careers in the healthcare field All of the following careers are available within the healthcare field: • Speech-language pathologist • Physical therapist • X-ray technician • Ultrasound technician • Medical social worker • Substance abuse counselor • Activities director/assistant • Administrative staff (e. g. directors)

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 1. Discuss different types of careers in the healthcare field Careers within the healthcare field (cont’d): • Support staff (e. g. records, billing, and office personnel) • Dentist • Dietician • Pharmacist/pharmacy tech • Chiropractor • Massage therapist • Homeopathic practitioner • Teacher

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 1. Discuss different types of careers in the healthcare field Remember: There are many possible careers in health care. If, at some point, you wish to explore other options, speak to a supervisor, instructor, or career counselor about the education needed to change jobs.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 2. Explain how to find a job and how to write a résumé HHAs and NAs can target potential employers by using the following resources: • Internet • Classified ads • Department of Social Services or Department of Aging • Instructors and their employers and contacts

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 2. Explain how to find a job and how to write a résumé Think about this question: Can you think of any other possible sources of information about available jobs?

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 2. Explain how to find a job and how to write a résumé The following documents are generally required when applying for a job: • Identification such as driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, or passport • Proof of legal ability to work in the United States • Credentials such as school diploma, course completion/graduation certificates (NA certification), including the names of instructors • Letters of reference from former employers or teachers, not family or friends

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 2. Explain how to find a job and how to write a résumé Define the following term: résumé a summary or listing of relevant job experience and education.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 2. Explain how to find a job and how to write a résumé A résumé should contain the following information: • Contact details • Educational experience, starting with most recent • Work experience, starting with most recent • Special skills • Memberships in professional organizations • Volunteer work • Indication that references are available on request

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 2. Explain how to find a job and how to write a résumé When writing a résumé, remember these tips: • Keep it brief (one page is best) • Use nice, plain paper (white or cream color)

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 2. Explain how to find a job and how to write a résumé A cover letter should include the following items: • Date • Sender’s name, address, phone number, and email address • Recipient’s name and address • Salutation • Introduction (include position you are seeking) • Body (how your skills/experience fit the job) • Closing and signature

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 3. Demonstrate completing an effective job application The following general information is needed for a job application: • Your address, phone number, and email address • Birth date and social security number • Training school and dates, certification number • Previous employers’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses; and dates of employment • Salary information from previous jobs • Reasons why you left each of your former jobs • References, including phone numbers and email addresses • Availability (days and hours) • Brief statement about why you are changing jobs

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself Role play activity In pairs, role-play practice conversations in which you make initial contact with potential employers, including the receptionist, personnel director, and the actual hiring person. How do you explain that they have just graduated from training and have no job experience? Practice the scenarios on the following slide, taking turns playing the role of the NA/HHA seeking a job.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself Role play activity • Receptionist refuses to put the call through to human resources (HR) department. • The HR director states they only hire experienced NAs/HHAs. • The HR director is very rude. • The HR director states that the job has been filled; you want to ask how to be considered for future openings. • The receptionist says he does not know anything about an ad in the newspaper. • You have been referred to that company by a friend who is already an employee.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself Handout 31 -1: Job Application

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 4. Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques These tips can help you make a good impression at a job interview: • Shower or bathe and use deodorant. • Brush your teeth. • Wash hands and clean and file nails. • Wear only simple makeup and jewelry or none at all. • Style clean hair simply and be sure it is out of your eyes. • Shave or trim facial hair before interview (men).

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 4. Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques Tips to help you make a good impression at a job interview (cont’d): • Dress neatly and appropriately. • Do not wear perfume or cologne. • Do not smoke beforehand. • Arrive 10 or 15 minutes early. • Do not bring friends or children with you. • Introduce yourself. • Answer questions clearly and completely.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 4. Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques Tips to help you make a good impression at a job interview (cont’d): • Make eye contact. • Avoid slang. • Never eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke. • Sit up or stand up straight. • Relax and be confident.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 5. Describe a standard job description Job applicants should know these points about job descriptions: • Agreement between employer and employee • States responsibilities and tasks • Includes skills required, to whom employee reports, and salary • Protects both parties • Protects employee from change in duties without notification

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 5. Describe a standard job description Important points about job descriptions (cont’d): • Protects employee from being fired for something unrelated to job description • Protects employer from employee saying that she did not know certain duties were required • Reduces misunderstandings • Can be used if legal issues arise

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 6. Discuss how to manage and resolve conflict Remember: Everyone experiences conflict at some point, but conflict at work may harm productivity and the workplace environment if it is not managed or resolved.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 6. Discuss how to manage and resolve conflict Remember these guidelines for resolving conflict: • Plan to discuss the conflict at the right time and in the right place. • Do not interrupt. • Do not get emotional. • Check body language. • Keep focus on the issue at hand. • Think of ways the conflict can be resolved and be prepared to compromise.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself Role play activity In pairs, role-play a situation in which one NA is always late to work and the other NA has to do her job until she arrives. The NA who is always left covering for the late NA would like to discuss the situation.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 7. Describe employee evaluations and discuss appropriate responses to criticism Remember: The best response to hostile criticism is “I’m sorry you are so disappointed. ”

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 7. Describe employee evaluations and discuss appropriate responses to criticism Remember these ways to make constructive criticism beneficial: • Listen, accept, and act on constructive feedback. • Ask for suggestions on improving performance. • Apologize and move on.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 7. Describe employee evaluations and discuss appropriate responses to criticism Remember: Evaluations are often the basis for advancement and salary increases. Employees who are open to constructive criticism and use their employers’ suggestions for improvement will benefit most from the evaluation process.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 8. Explain how to make job changes Remember: NAs and HHAs must give at least two weeks’ written notice before leaving a job. Residents/clients and staff will suffer if the facility or agency is understaffed, and leaving without proper notice will make it more difficult to get hired in the future.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself Role play activity In pairs, role-play a situation between the NA and her employer when the NA is giving written notice. She is leaving at a time that the facility is short-staffed. Her replacement will need to be recruited by placing an ad online and in the local newspaper. This and the interview process will take time.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 9. Discuss certification and explain the state’s registry Although requirements vary from state to state, these general guidelines apply to certification: • Certain time frame to take the state test • Test must be taken within that time or NA will have to take new training course • NA must work for pay during 24 months • NA usually has three chances to pass test • NA must keep certification current

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 9. Discuss certification and explain the state’s registry Remember these points about state registries: • Required by OBRA • Often maintained by state’s Board of Nursing or Department of Health • Contains NA’s training information, results of exams, any findings of abuse, neglect, or theft • Employers can access to verify certification and check for abuse investigations/findings • Some states also have registries for HHAs

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 10. Describe continuing education Remember: You must have 12 hours of continuing education each year.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 10. Describe continuing education The NA/HHA has these responsibilities for receiving continuing education: • Sign up and know the location. • Attend all class sessions. • Pay attention and complete requirements. • Participate. • Keep original copies of certificates and records of attendance.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 11. Define stress and stressors Define the following terms: stress the state of being frightened, excited, confused, in danger, or irritated. stressor something that causes stress.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 11. Define stress and stressors Remember: Both positive and negative situations can cause stress. It is important to be aware of stress levels and manage stress effectively, no matter the cause.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 12. Explain ways to manage stress The following guidelines can help with stress management: • Eating nutritious foods • Getting physical exercise • Getting enough sleep • Drinking only in moderation • Not smoking • Doing something relaxing (bath, reading, movie, being in nature, something artistic, yoga, exercise, massage, music, meditation)

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 12. Explain ways to manage stress The following problems can result from not managing stress effectively: • Showing anger or being abusive toward residents/clients • Arguing with your supervisor • Having poor relationships with coworkers and residents/clients • Complaining about your job and your responsibilities • Feeling work-related burnout • Feeling tired even when you are rested • Having a difficult time focusing

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 12. Explain ways to manage stress These are all appropriate resources for managing stress: • Supervisor/care team member • Family • Friends • Support group • Place of worship • Doctor • Mental health agency • Phone hotline

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 12. Explain ways to manage stress Remember: It is never appropriate to discuss your stress with residents, clients, or their family members.

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 13. Describe a relaxation technique Think about this question: Do you know of any relaxation techniques in addition to those listed in the textbook (p. 502)?

24 Caring for Your Career and Yourself 14. List ways to remind yourself of the importance of the work you have chosen to do Think about these questions: • Why did you choose to become an NA or HHA? • What does it mean to you to be able to help others? • How will you remind yourself of the value of the work you have chosen?