Objectives 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Apply strategies to help you get the most benefit from laboratory sessions and master hands-on skills. Explain how to succeed when taking online courses. Use critical thinking in your everyday and professional life. Develop skill in using a problem-solving process to make good decisions in both your personal and your professional lives. Plan and start putting together a personal reference guide to help you in school, during your job search, and on the job. List the purposes and benefits of an externship. Describe how to maximize learning and gain the most benefits from both on-site and simulated externships. Explain the importance of knowing how to apply math skills in health care. Approach the learning of math with a positive attitude and, if necessary, apply techniques to overcome math anxiety. Evaluate your own math skills and, if needed, devise a plan to improve them by using appropriate tips to help you master math.

Developing Your Practical Skills Chapter 7

Learning Practical Skills v Learning to apply theory you learn in class to practical situations is one of the most important components of your education. v It is important to learn theory and background information that support the procedures you will practice in the lab. v Hands-on practice builds a bridge between school and the world of work. There is a big difference between knowing about a procedure and actually being able to do it well.

Learning in the Lab v Depending on your program of study, practice may include: • performing procedures • engaging in role play • working on the computer • completing pencil-and-paper activities

Being Prepared for Lab Sessions v Advance preparation will help you benefit fully from lab sessions. Lab time is limited, and the instructor will expect you to get started on the assigned activities without delay. Here are some ways to prepare: 1. Read your textbook. 2. Study the illustrations. 3. If your instructor demonstrates a procedure in class, focus on the steps or actions involved. 4. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about any point you don’t understand. 5. Pay special attention to learning safety rules.

Success Tips for Learning in the Lab 1. Take along any study materials, reference books, supplies, or protective equipment needed to participate in the scheduled activities. 2. Work with “real patients. ” 3. Aim for accuracy. 4. Respect your instructor’s time, but do ask questions as needed. 5. Understand that there may be more than one correct way to perform a task. 6. Keep up with your lab assignments.

Lab Follow-Up v It is important to review what you learn in lab sessions. 1. Join or organize a study group to practice procedures and quiz one another on the rationale, safety concerns, and supporting theories. 2. Write out the steps of each procedure from memory. 3. Make flash cards to help you remember important facts (rules and regulations, normal values). 4. Make charts, using color and illustrations to highlight the important points about each procedure. 5. Recite the steps out loud, or record them and review by listening. 6. Rehearse the steps for each procedure in your mind. Act them out. Develop mental checklists of the steps.

Creating a Personal Reference Guide v After graduation, you could use your textbooks, lecture notes, and completed assignments as resources. Putting together your own reference guide adds even more value to your education by storing useful information that might otherwise be lost. v Collecting information, however, is not useful if you can’t find it when you need it. v Design an organized, easy-to-access guide. Select a three-ring binder and index dividers. Start with a few categories and add to them as you proceed through your program. Include a table of contents to help you see what you have at a glance.

Suggested Content of a PRG 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Names, phone numbers, and addresses of instructors and classmates with whom you want to keep in touch. Include a sentence or two about each one for recall in the future. New vocabulary words and their definitions. Important health care abbreviations. Useful website addresses. Names, titles, organizations, phone numbers, and addresses of professional contacts. Make a few notes about each person to refresh your memory later. Titles of interesting books, journals, and apps. Inspiring and helpful quotations. Names and addresses of professional organizations

Suggested Content of a PRG (Cont’d) 9. Sources of equipment and supplies that were used in your school. 10. Summaries of the procedures you have learned. 11. Fact sheets that list measurement systems, test values, and so on. 12. Potential employers you learn about from your instructors, graduates, guest speakers, job fairs, newspaper articles, and so on. 13. Memberships in professional and civic organizations. 14. Think of your reference guide as a “living document. ”

Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Apply strategies to help you get the most benefit from laboratory sessions and master hands-on skills. Explain how to succeed when taking online courses. Use critical thinking in your everyday and professional life. Develop skill in using a problem-solving process to make good decisions in both your personal and your professional lives. Plan and start putting together a personal reference guide to help you in school, during your job search, and on the job. List the purposes and benefits of an externship. Describe how to maximize learning and gain the most benefits from both on-site and simulated externships. Explain the importance of knowing how to apply math skills in health care. Approach the learning of math with a positive attitude and, if necessary, apply techniques to overcome math anxiety. Evaluate your own math skills and, if needed, devise a plan to improve them by using appropriate tips to help you master math.

Critical Thinking

v Critical Thinking thinking means paying attention to what you are doing; considering whether what you hear or read makes sense; using logic and reasoning to make choices and decisions; and applying what you have learned in class to new situations. v An important part of this is separating facts from opinions. • Facts are based on evidence, experience, and observation. • Opinions are based on feelings, emotions, and unproven beliefs. v Distinguishing between the two requires a foundation of knowledge and the ability to research and find the facts.

Six-Steps for Problem-Solving v Having an organized way to approach problems makes it easier to find effective solutions. Many helpful methods have been developed. The general problem-solving method is: 1. Define the problem. 2. Gather information. 3. Develop alternative solutions. 4. Consider the possible results and consequences. 5. Choose a solution and act on it. 6. Evaluate the results and revise as needed.

Step One: Define the Problem v You may be faced with what seems to be an obvious problem, but sometimes what we believe to be the problem is only a symptom of a deeper underlying problem. Asking questions is one way you can start to identify the real problem. v It isn’t always easy to uncover real problems. Many of us tend to avoid tough issues by ignoring them, or we blame circumstances or other people for our difficulties. But when we fail to recognize our part in causing problems, we also give away our power to find solutions. For example, if we blame our poor grades on the teacher or the school, we become powerless to raise them. By accepting responsibility for ourselves, we empower ourselves to direct our own lives.

Step Two: Gather Information v Up-to-date information is needed for solving problems and making decisions. Even well-trained experts conduct research when confronted with new problems. For example, when physicians begin working with patients who have unresolved health problems, the doctors gather as much information as possible. They observe the patient, ask questions, and run diagnostic tests. They call on their own knowledge. They may discuss their findings with other physicians and health professionals and consult reference books and recent technical articles. In summary, they gather as much information as possible from a wide variety of sources.

Sources of Information Your own knowledge and observations – what you know that relates to the problem 2. The knowledge and opinions of others, such as experts and people with special knowledge 3. Books, journals, and the Internet. There are many reader-friendly books about handling personal and professional problems 4. Classes, workshops, and conferences v The number of resources you consult depends on the size, complexity, and importance of the problem. Some situations require only your current knowledge and a quick observation. Others require extensive research. 1.

Step Three: Develop Alternative Solutions v There v Try may be several effective solutions for a given problem. a technique called brainstorming to think of as many ideas as possible. Write them all down, even silly or impractical ideas. Don’t discard anything, because even ideas that seem foolish can lead to ones that work.

Step Four: Review Possible Results and Consequences v Now is the time to use critical thinking skills to evaluate your ideas. v Review each option and ask yourself, “What would happen if I took this action? ” v You may find that you need to ask more questions and gather more information. v Look for ideas that can be combined or that suggest other workable solutions.

Step Five: Choose a Solution and Act On It v After weighing the various alternatives, select the one that best fits your own mission and goals. v It’s easy to spend a lot of time thinking and then be afraid to take action. v Think positively, make a plan, and do your best to implement the solution you have chosen. v You may decide to combine several alternatives and attack the problem from different directions to increase your chances of success.

Step Six: Evaluate the Results and Revise Your Plan as Needed v Did you achieve the desired results? v Were there unknown facts or circumstances that resulted in unexpected consequences? v How can you revise your plan to get the results you want?

Examples of Problems on the Job A man calls Dr. Beck’s office complaining of chest pain. The medical assistant takes the call and must ask appropriate questions, apply what she knows, and decide whether the man should speak with the doctor, come to the office, or call 911 for emergency assistance. v Rhonda is a nursing assistant at an extended-care facility. She has small children at home and must make childcare arrangements at least one week in advance. Several times during the past few weeks her supervisor has changed her schedule with only a day’s notice. Rhonda wants to keep her job, but cannot continually find childcare at the last minute. She must find a way to work out this problem with her supervisor. v Carla, a medical biller, needs to learn a new billing software system as soon as possible to avoid getting behind in her work. v

Case Study and Questions Group Work

Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Apply strategies to help you get the most benefit from laboratory sessions and master hands-on skills. Explain how to succeed when taking online courses. Use critical thinking in your everyday and professional life. Develop skill in using a problem-solving process to make good decisions in both your personal and your professional lives. Plan and start putting together a personal reference guide to help you in school, during your job search, and on the job. List the purposes and benefits of an externship. Describe how to maximize learning and gain the most benefits from both on-site and simulated externships. Explain the importance of knowing how to apply math skills in health care. Approach the learning of math with a positive attitude and, if necessary, apply techniques to overcome math anxiety. Evaluate your own math skills and, if needed, devise a plan to improve them by using appropriate tips to help you master math.

Externship

v This Your Externship is the final link between your education and your future career. Experienced professionals and/or clinical instructors will guide your work in an occupational setting. This phase of your education provides you with opportunities to: • Apply the skills learned in class • Gain confidence in performing these skills • Learn firsthand about the expectations of employers • Practice working with patients • Think and problem solve in real-life situations • Demonstrate your abilities to a potential employer

Your Externship (Cont’d) Externships require your full attention and effort. Some students make the mistake of thinking that this part of their education is less important than their academic classes. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is during the externship that you begin to establish your professional reputation. v Not every externship will be ideal. Things will not always go as you expect or hope. At these times, adjust your attitude. The truth is, not every work environment will be ideal, either. Act professionally and focus on doing your best to learn and achieve your goals. Even difficult situations offer opportunities to practice getting along with others, adapt to a work environment, and solve problems. v

Setting Goals for Your Externship v You will increase your chances of benefitting if you write out goals that express specifically what: • you want to learn • skills you hope to practice and acquire • you hope to accomplish v It is recommended that you research the facility where you will be working as much as possible before beginning your externship. This will help you anticipate, prepare good questions for your supervisor, and set appropriate goals. Once at the site, share your goals with your supervisor and discuss what is expected of you.

Having a Positive Approach v Approach your externship with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Look forward to putting your skills into practice, meeting and learning from interesting people, and securing a good recommendation from your supervisor. v We can choose our reactions to people and events. If you find a staff member at your externship site to be especially annoying, it is natural to become angry or frustrated. But how does this benefit you? Negative feelings drain energy and may interfere with your focus on your work. This person is now not only annoying, but has, in a sense, taken over your emotions. Don’t give negative people and situations that power.

Developing a Positive Attitude 1. Make an inventory of the good features at your externship site. 2. Keep things in perspective. 3. Fix your sights on your goals. 4. When faced with difficulties, distinguish between what you can and cannot change, and concentrate your efforts on what you can change. 5. Find sources of help and inspiration. 6. Challenge your negative beliefs.

Keeping a Journal v Consider keeping a journal during your externship in which you record your thoughts, experiences, and feelings. Describe significant situations and what you learn from them. For example, describe incidents in which you are either involved or simply observe that cause you to think or feel strongly. Write about your reactions, how you believe the situation was handled, and how you handled—or would have handled—the situation. v Your journal is also a good place to write out your externship goals and record your progress. (record new skills to be added to your resume)

Success Tips for Your Externship 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Take advantage of the assistance about its accuracy. and advice offered by your school. 7. Follow all rules and dress codes, Have perfect attendance. even if others don’t. Be sure you understand what you 8. Be courteous to everyone. will be expected/allowed to do. 9. Learn as much as possible from Learn the facility’s policies and the staff. procedures. 10. Become a contributing member of Ask questions about anything you the health care team. don’t understand or want to learn 11. Find out how you will be more about. evaluated. Ask an appropriate person to 12. Take advantage of any resources check your work if you are unsure the facility has available.

The Simulated Externship v Most health care externships take place off campus at a site such as a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital. For some programs, such as medical coding and medical transcription that do not require interaction with patients and limited interaction with coworkers, externships may be conducted as simulations. v Students complete real-world work activities under the supervision of an instructor who acts as the workplace supervisor. v Just as with an on-site externship, students are expected to complete all projects accurately and submit them on time. They must apply what they learned in the classroom and are evaluated just as they would be by a workplace supervisor.

Success Tips for Simulated Externship v Treat the work for an externship simulation as seriously as you would if you were on site. v Plan v If your work time carefully to complete all projects on time. you work on projects at home, set up a quiet space and let everyone know you are “at work. ”

After Your Externship v Thank your supervisor verbally and anyone else who helped you v Write a thank-you letter to your supervisor and/or employer (Include what you learned and how they helped you to achieve your goals) v Ask your supervisor if they will write you a letter of recommendation (Especially important if this is your only work experience in the health care field)

Evaluating and Documenting Your Experience v Use your journal and task log to write a summary of what you learned. Ask yourself the following questions: 1. Did I meet my learning objectives [goals]? Explain how. 2. What was my most important contribution? 3. What new skills did I develop? 4. What were the highlights of my externship?

Personal Reflection 1. Which of your personal characteristics do you believe will most help you have a successful externship? 2. Which personal characteristics do you need to work on to increase the benefits you will receive from your experience (e. g. , shyness, impatience, or difficulty being on time)?