Unit-AApply Employability Skills

Personal Characteristics

• Empathy: Be able to identify with and understand another person’s feelings, situation, and motives

• Honesty: Be truthful, show integrity, and be trustworthy• Dependability: Accept responsibility and perform assigned

tasks on time and accurately• Willingness to Learn: Be willing to learn and adapt to

changes• Patience: Be tolerant and understanding, learn to control

your temper• Acceptance of Criticism: Be willing to accept criticism and

learn from it

Personal Characteristics• Enthusiasm: Enjoy your work and display a positive attitude• Self-Motivation: The ability to begin or follow through with a

task without constant direction• Tact: The ability to say or do the kindest or the most fitting

thing in a difficult situation• Competence: Being qualified and capable of performing a task• Responsibility: Being willing to be held accountable for you’re

actions• Discretion: Using good judgment in what you say and do* Each of these characteristics and attitudes must be practiced and

learned. Some take more time to develop than others.

Good Health

• Diet- Eating well-balanced meals and nutritious food provides the body with the materials needed for optimum health

• Rest- Sleep helps provide energy and the ability to deal with stress

• Exercise- maintains circulation and improves muscle tone

• Good Posture- prevents fatigue and puts less stress on muscles

• Avoid Use of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs- they all can seriously affect good health

Nails

• Kept short and clean (if they are long and/or pointed they could injure a pt.)

• They can transmit germs

• Must be clear polish

• Hand cream must be used to prevent the hands from being chapped and dry from hand washing

Hair

• Clean and Neat

• Styled attractively and easy to care for

• Avoid crazy hairstyles or hair ornaments

• Long hair must be pinned up

YES!

NO!

Jewelry

• Avoid hoops or dangly earrings

• No facial Piercing

• Exceptions: watch, wedding ring, and small pierced earrings

Never!!

Understandable

Shoes

• White Shoes

• Should fit and provide good support

• No tennis shoes or sandals

• Cleaned daily

YES! NO!!!

Makeup

• Avoid a lot of makeup

• Must be a natural appearance

Uniform

• Neat

• Well fitting

• NO WRINKLES

• Clean

Job-keeping Skills

• Strive to achieve the qualities needed for employment

• Correct grammar is a must, both written and spoken word, also correct spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure

• Report to work on the scheduled days and at the correct time

• Be prepared to work once you get to work. Develop a good work ethic

• Observe all legal and ethical responsibilities

• Follow the policies and procedures of your workplace facility

Con’t…

• Be willing to learn new procedures and techniques• Take the initiative; if you see a job that needs to be

done; do it• Have a positive attitude and be willing to work with

others. Concentrate on the good aspects of a job and the rewards it can provide

• Take the responsibility for your mistakes. If you make a mistake, report it. Honesty is the best policy. Make every effort to correct your mistakes

• Show a willingness to learn. Ask questions

Letter of Application

• Accompanies resume• Goal is to get an interview• Typewritten on good quality paper• MUST be neat, complete,correct format,correct

spelling, and grammar NO ERRORS Address it the correct individual

correct spelling of name Correct title No name? Address it to the “Personnel Director” or to the

department head

Contents

• Paragraph One– Purpose for writing– Interest in position– If advertisement, name & date of publication– If referred, name & title of the referring person

Con’t…

• Paragraph Two– Why you are qualified– Why you want to work there– Be brief, most information on resume

Con’t…• Paragraph Three

– State “resume included”– May reference features of resume that might

attract attention

• Final Paragraph• Closure• Your contact info. (phone # & times available)• Thank You

Resume• Thorough yet concise• Education, experience, abilities• Makes you appear qualified• Typed, attractive, and well organized• Good quality paper• Correct spelling and punctuation• Straight even margins• If copies, be sure they are clear and appealing in

appearance• Format varies; fins a style that fits you. You can get

copies of different styles from your teacher or use the examples given in DHO.

• One page sufficient

Parts of a Resume

• Personal Identification• Employment objective, career goal• Educational background, special courses if they

support job position• Employment experience, could include volunteer

experience• Skills• Other activities• references

Resume Points to Consider

• Honesty the best policy

• A or B average – include it…if lower, don’t!

• Select format that fits your information

• Look at sample resumes

• Be sure envelope is typed and addressed correctly

Job Application

• Fill out each item correctly and neatly

• DO NOT LEAVE BLANKS

• Put “NA”

• Take your time

• Have all required information

• Read before you fill out the form

• Make sure info. is correct and true

Preparing for Job Interview

• Bring SS card, and/or resume• Research the company/job so you’ll show knowledge

of the position you seek• Be sure you know the date and time of the interview,

and the person’s name with whom you will interview• Dress appropriately! A dark suit is usually a good idea• Wear conservative makeup, hair,nails• Be sure your teeth are clean, and wear antiperspirant• Arrive 10-15 minutes early

Job Interview• Greet Interviewer by name, smile, introduce yourself,firm

handshake• Use correct grammar• Speak slowly and clearly, Don’t mumble• Be polite• Maintain eye contact• Answer questions thoroughly• Do NOT smoke, Chew gum, or eat anything• Sit up straight• Smile, do not giggle• Be yourself• Listen carefully to the interviewer and be sure you answer the

questions asked, don’t interrupt• Never discuss personal problems or finances• Don’t criticize former employers

Continued..• Answer questions truthfully• Think before you respond• Brag about yourself a little• Don’t immediately ask about salary or benefits• You should ask about the job responsibilities, career

opportunities• Don’t expect to know about the job at the end of the

interview• At the end, thank the interviewer and shake hands• Send a thank-you note, indicating your continued

interest in the job

Common Interview Questions

• Why do you want to work here?• What makes you think you can do this job?• What work experience have you had?• Why did you leave? • What are you career goals?• What do you plan to be doing 5 years from now?• What salary do you expect? • Why should we hire you?

Parts of the Communication Model

• Sender – person who begins the process of creating a message or material to be communicated

• Message – material to be communicated• Receiver – Person for whom the message is

intended; interprets the meaning of the message• Feedback – the receiver’s way of insuring that the

message that is understood is the same as the message that was sent; takes place after the receiver has interpreted the message

Factors that Influence Communication

1. The message must be clear and concise. It must be in terms that the sender and the receiver can understand.

2. Delivery of the message must be concise, using good grammar and correct pronunciation. A moderate tone and pitch with good inflections avoiding a monotone. Speed of delivery is also important.

3. Written communications should contain good grammar and punctuation, correct spelling, and be as concise as possible.

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4. Receiver must be able to hear or receive the message.

a. Very weak patients or those under the influence of heavy medications may not hear the message or interpret and understand the message

b. Patients with hearing or visual impairments and those with limited English speaking skills may not receive the messages

c. Clarifying and changing the form of a message can allow the receiver to respond

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5. The receiver must be able to understand the message. Using unfamiliar terminology as well as attitudes and prejudices of the receiver and sender can interfere with understanding.

6. Confidence in the receiver is very important

7. Interruptions or distractions can interfere with communication. Loud noises, poor lightening, and uncomfortable room temperature can interrupt communication.

Good Listening Skills

1. Give full attention to the person who is speaking2. Eliminate distractions3. Make direct eye contact4. Indicate your interest. Lean into the speaker. Use

phrases such as, “Uh-huh,” “I understand,” and “I see”

5. Do not interrupt. Wait your turn.6. Listen to feelings and gestures as well as words.7. Try to get the general idea of what someone is

saying.

Good Listening Skills

8. Do not shift attention from the other person to yourself.

9. Do not decide too early that the subject matter is too hard, too easy, or too upsetting.

10. Ask questions for clarification11. Avoid making judgments12. Do not spend too much time thinking about what

you are going to say13. Repeat the idea back to the speaker14. Summarize; recap the highlights

Barriers to Communication

• Communication barrier – anything that gets in the way of clear communication

• Three Common Causes:– Physical disabilities– Psychological attitudes and prejudice– Cultural diversity

• Physical Disabilities may include:– Deafness or hearing loss– Blindness or impaired vision– Aphasia or speech disabilities

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• To improve communication with the Hearing impaired– Use body language such as gestures and signs– Speak clearly in short sentences– Face the individual to facilitate lip reading– Write messages of necessary– Make sure hearing aids are working properly

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• To improve communication with the visually impaired– Use a soft tone of voice– Describe events that are occurring– Announce your presence when entering a room– Explain sounds or noises– Use touch when appropriate

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• What about someone with aphasia or speech impairments?– They have difficulty remembering the correct words, may

not be able to pronounce certain words, and may have slurred speech

– The health care worker must be patient– Allow them to try and speak– Encourage them to take their time– Repeat message to assure accuracy– Encourage them to use gestures or point to objects– Provide pen and paper if they can write– Use pictures with key messages to communicate

Psychological Barriers

• Caused by:– Prejudice– Attitudes– Personality

• Stereotypes such as “dumb blonde” or “fat slob” cause us to make snap judgments about others that affect the communication process.

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• What other stereotypes can affect communications?– Health care workers must learn to put prejudice

aside and show respect for all individuals. Is that possible?

• Do ALL patients have the right to quality health care?

• Health care workers should:– Allow patients to express their fears or anger

– Encourage them to talk about their feelings

– Avoid arguing

– Remain calm

– Talk in a non-threatening tone of voice

– Provide quality care

Cultural Barriers

• Deal with values, beliefs, attitudes and customs

– Each cultural group has beliefs and practices regarding health and illness

– Some cultures believe the body needs balance-if the body is cold, they eat hot foods

– Some cultures believe illness is due to demons and evil sprits

– Some cultures believe health is a reward from God, and illness is a punishment from God

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• Cultural beliefs must be respected• Patients may practice their cultural remedies

in addition to modern healthcare techniques• Cultural diversity may interfere with

communication in other ways:• Language differences – people who don’t

speak English may have a difficult time communicating. You Should:

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• Speak slowly• Use nonverbal communication (smile)• Avoid tendency to speak louder• Find an interpreter• Eye contact – in some cultures, it’s not acceptable, and looking

down is a sign of respect• Terminal illness – in some cultures, the patient is NOT told his/her

prognosis, and family members are responsible for making care decisions

• Touch – in some cultures, it’s wrong to touch someone on the head

• Personal care – only family members provide personal care Respect and acceptance of cultural diversity is essential for any

health care worker.

Teamwork Model

Registered Nurse

Medical SocialWorker

OccupationalTherapist

PhysicalTherapist

Clergy

Clinical CareAssociate

RespiratoryTherapist

Speech Therapist

Physician

Patient/Client

Teamwork

• The Foundation of teamwork: The Five Cs– Collaboration– Cooperation– Contribution– Communication– Commitment

• Teams collaborate on the strategies and role responsibilities needed to achieve their goals. Members cooperate with one another by contributing their best efforts to accomplish the team’s goals. Finally, they make a commitment to help one another meet the goals. It is respect that builds a team among people that work together.