Personal Characteristics Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS

Personal Characteristics Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS Personal Characteristics Lessons 1. Appearance Go 2. Desirable Traits Go Table of Contents

Lesson 1 – Personal Appearance Health care workers must practice healthy habits and wear professional garments. When health care workers present a positive self-image, patients are more likely to feel confident about the care they receive. Table of Contents

Lesson 1 – Good Health One aspect of personal appearance is good health. Good health involves treating and preventing health problems. Good health includes: Good nutrition Regular physical activity Adequate sleep Effective stress management ▫ Good posture ▫ Avoiding harmful substances ▫ ▫ Table of Contents

Lesson 1 – Dress Requirements Every medical facility has dress requirements for the employees. The requirements for dress vary by facility, but most facilities have rules regarding: ▫ ▫ ▫ Uniform Clothing Shoes Name badge Jewelry Table of Contents

Lesson 1 – Hygiene Health care workers must take special care to maintain good hygiene, including: ▫ Controlled body odor and cleanliness ▫ Groomed hair and fingernails ▫ Clean, appropriate hairstyles ▫ Tasteful makeup Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Desirable Traits All health care workers must be committed to developing certain personality traits. Desirable traits for health care workers include these general mind-sets: ▫ Maintaining a positive attitude ▫ Following the rules ▫ Communicating effectively ▫ Interacting appropriately ▫ Growing personally and professionally Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Positive Attitude A positive spirit is contagious and can create a pleasant environment for patients and coworkers. To create a positive attitude, health care workers must develop the following traits: ▫ ▫ ▫ Flexibility Honesty Responsibility Commitment Enthusiasm Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Flexibility Above all other traits, health care workers must be flexible. Health care workers must demonstrate the ability to adapt to change, learn new skills, and try different methods. Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Honesty Truthfulness and integrity must be held in high regard in the workplace. Health care workers must be able to trust each other. Health care workers must always be honest with patients so that patients never doubt the quality of their care. Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Responsibility Health care workers are relied upon by patients and co-workers. They must demonstrate dependability by finishing tasks accurately and on time. They must also take responsibility for their actions, even when the consequences are not pleasant. Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Commitment Health care workers must show that they are dedicated to their jobs. This means that they do not perform tasks halfheartedly. Even in difficult circumstances, health care workers must display genuine commitment and dependability. Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Enthusiasm Health care workers must show enthusiasm in their work. By being positive and encouraging, one health care worker can lift the spirits of several patients and coworkers. Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Follow the Rules Compliance is another desirable trait for health care workers. Health care workers must comply with the rules of the facility, including: ▫ Following the attendance policies ▫ Arriving to work on time ▫ Wearing appropriate dress ▫ Adhering to the line of authority ▫ Performing only the tasks in your scope of practice ▫ Obeying all general rules, guidelines, and standards Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Communication is the process of exchanging messages. This involves sharing information and receiving feedback about the information. Communication can be verbal, written, or nonverbal. Health care workers must learn to communicate with co-workers and patients. Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Interaction When health care workers interact with patients and co-workers, they must be professional and appropriate at all times. Health care workers must never be judgmental of a person’s ethnicity, culture, age, gender, religion, lifestyle, or economic status. Table of Contents

Lesson 2 – Personal and Professional Growth The health care industry is always changing. Because of this, health care workers must be willing to grow personally and professionally. One way to monitor growth is to set goals. A goal is a desired result or purpose. Table of Contents

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