module 8 - powerpoint personal appearance

© Copyright, SC AHEC, 2008

Personal Appearance and Characteristics


Objectives

• Explain how diet, rest, exercise, good posture, and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs contribute to good health.

• Demonstrate the standards of professional appearance as they apply to uniforms, clothing, shoes, nails, hair, jewelry and make-up.

• Create a characteristic profile of health care worker that includes at least eight to ten personal/professional traits or attitudes.

• Define, pronounce and spell all the key terms.


Having Good Health..

• Diet eating well balanced meals and nutritious foods provides the body with the materials needed for optimal health

• Rest adequate rest and sleep help provide energy and the ability to deal with stress

• Exercise maintain circulation and improves muscle tone, helps mental attitude, and helps with more restful sleep

• Good posture helps prevent fatigue and puts less stress on muscles

• Avoid use of tobacco, alcohol, & drugs Use can seriously affect good health. Tobacco affects the function of the heart, circulatory system, lungs, and digestive system. Alcohol and drugs impairs mental functions, ability to make decisions, and affects most of the body systems.


An Impression:As a worker in any health career, it’s important to present an appearance that inspires confidence and a positive self image.

Research has shown within 20 seconds – 4 minutes people form an impression about another person based mainly on appearance.


Uniform

It’s important that the health care worker learns what type and color of uniform is required or permitted and follow the standards established by the place of employment, but it should always be neat, well fitting, clean, and wrinkle free!


Clothing

The style of clothing you should wear to be a medical professional should allow freedom of body movement and should be appropriate for the job.

If regular clothing is worn in place of an uniform, the clothing must be clean, neat, and in good repair.


Name Badge

Most health care facilities require personnel to wear name badges and/or photo identification tags at all times.

A Name badge must include: The name, title, and department of the health care worker.


ShoesShoes should fit well and provide good support to

prevent fatigue.• Shoe laces must be cleaned and/or replaced

often• Tennis shoes avoid wearing these unless they

are cleaned daily• Low heels help prevent fatigue and accidents• Stockings/pantyhose women should wear these

with dress uniforms. Beige is usually worn. Colored or patterned should be avoided


Personal HygieneGood personal hygiene is essential. Healthcare workers typically work in close contact with others.Body odor must be controlled.

A daily bath or shower, use of deodorant or antiperspirant, good oral hygiene, and clean undergarments all help prevent body odor. Strong odor caused by tobacco, perfumes, scented hair sprays, and after shaves can be offensive! Some scents can cause allergic reactions.


NailsNails should be kept short and clean. If finger nails are long or pointed, they can injure patients, transmit germs, and pathogens.

Longs nails can tear or puncture gloves. The use of colored nail polish is discouraged because it can hide dirt that may be collected. Bright colors on nails could bother people that don’t feel well. If nail polish is worn is should be clear or colorless and nails must be kept super clean. This protects you, as well


HairHair should be neat and clean. It should be styled attractively and be easy to take care for. If the job requires close contact with patients, it should be kept pinned back and off the collar.

Having your hair pinned back and off the collar prevents the hair from touching the patient, falling on a tray or on equipment, or blocking vision during procedures.


Makeup

The purpose of makeup is to create a natural appearance and to add to the attractiveness of the person.

Excessive makeup should be avoided.


Jewelry

Excessive jewelry could interfere with the patients care and detracts from the professional appearance of the health care worker. Jewelry are most likely not allowed because it can cause injury to the patient and transmits germs and pathogens.•Hoops not allowed•Eyebrow, nose, and tongue piercing not allowed & takes away from the professional appearance•Watch, Wedding ring.Small earrings sometimes allowed


Empathy

Empathy means being able to identify with and understand another person’s feelings, situation, and motives.In order to be successful you must be sincerely interested in working with people. You must care about others and be able to communicate and work with them.

Understanding the needs of people and learning effective communication is one way to develop empathy.


Honesty

Truthfulness and integrity are important in any health career field.

Others must be able to trust you at ALL times. You

must be willing to admit mistakes and correct them.


Dependability

Employers and patients rely on you, so you must accept the responsibility required in your position. You must be prompt in reporting to work and maintain and good attendance record.

You must perform an assigned task on time and accurately.


Willingness to Learn

Education is required to remain competent in a particular field. Be prepared for life long learning to

maintain a competent level of knowledge and skills.

You must be willing to learn and adapt to changes. Heath care

changes because of research, new inventions,and technological

advances.


Patience

You must be tolerant and understanding if you are a health care professional or

worker.

You must learn to control your temper and “count to 10” in

many situations.


Acceptance of Criticism

Instead of becoming resentful, you must be willing to accept

criticism and learn from it.Some criticism can be

constructive and allow you to improve your work. Remember that everyone has some areas where performance can be improved.


Enthusiasm

You must enjoy your work and display a positive attitude. Enthusiasm is

contagious!Enthusiasm helps you do your best and encourages others to do the

same. If you don’t like some parts of your job, concentrating on the positive points can help diminish the importance of the negative

points.


Self-motivation

This is the ability to begin or follow through with your tasks. You should set goals and work

to reach those goals.You should be able to

determine things that need to be done and do them without

constant direction.


TactIt requires constant practice. It’simportant to remember that allindividuals have a right to theirrespective feelings, and that thesefeelings should not be judged as

rightor wrong.Being tactful means having the ability to say or dothe kindest and most fitting thing in a difficultsituation. Tactfulness is having consideration of thefeelings of others.


Competence

Being competent, means that you are

capable and qualified of performing a

certain task. You follow instructions, use approved procedures, and strive for accuracy in all you do. You know your limits and ask for help or guidance if you don't know how to perform a procedure.


Responsibility

Responsibility implies being willing to be held accountable

for your actions.Others can rely on you and know that you will meet your obligations. Responsibility

is doing what you’re supposed to do.


DiscretionYou must always use good judgment in

what you say and do. In a health care career, you will have access to

confidential information that needs to be kept confidential.

Information shouldn’t be told to anyone with out proper

authorization. Patients are entitled to privacy. You must be discreet and ensure that the patient’s rights are

not going to be violated.


Be a Team Player

In any health care field, you will become part of a team. It is essential that you

become a team player and learn to work well with others. Each member

of a health care team will have different responsibilities and needs to

fulfill their duties. The patient’s outcome depends on it.

By working together a team can accomplish goals much faster than one

person could.

module 8 - powerpoint personal appearance

Documents