This document outlines the key characteristics of professionalism in healthcare, which include dependability, compassion, integrity, honesty, respect, competence, organization, responsibility, flexibility, appropriate appearance, and effective communication. It emphasizes showing compassion for patients, maintaining patient confidentiality and trust, admitting and learning from mistakes, and having confidence in one's abilities. Other professional behaviors discussed are being organized, responsible, keeping a neat and conservative appearance, and clearly communicating with patients through verbal and nonverbal means. Overall, the document stresses that true professionalism in healthcare goes beyond simply doing one's job to also loving one's work and consistently demonstrating qualities like respect and compassion for patients.

1. Professional is
Healthcare
• By Megan Crosby

2. Characteristics of Professionalsim
•Dependable
•Compassinate
•Integrity
•Honesty
•Respectful
•Competence
•Organized
•Resonsible
•Flexible
•Apperance
•Communication

3. Dependable, Cooperative,
Committed
Healthcare facilities are not always routine
and emergency occur. Be cooperative in
assisting fellow employees and willing to
show you are committed to your job.
•read all pertinent memoranda
•observer all newsletters
•attend staff meetings

4. Compassionate, Respectful
Remember you are always dealing with ill
and possibly frightened patients and
compassion is very important. Being
respectful not only of the patients but of
your co-workers is important to maintain a

5. Honesty, Integrity, Competence
•Patient confidentiality is very important not just
because its the law but because trust is crucial
in a patient healthcare provider relationship.
•If something is mislabled owning up to a
mistake as soon as it's noticed is critical to the
patient safety.
•It is important to show you know and have
confidence in the procedures you are
performing. If at anytime you are unsure it is
always ok to seek the help of another worker.

6. Organized, Responsible
Always know what you need when
entering a patients room. Have any
proper PPE or equipment necassary.

7. Appearance
Every workplace will have its own
dress code but some general
guidelines to follow are:
•Scrubs and lab coats should always be
cleaned and pressed
•Shoes clean, closed toed and polished
•Jewerly if worn should be conservitive nothing
should be dangling. Most places do not allow
facial piercings etc.
•Makeup should also be conservitive, perfume
and cologne should not be worn.

8. Appearance
•Hair (also facial) should be clean neat and long hair
pulled back. Hair can get in the way or can be a way to
transport infection to another patient.
•Hygiene is very important because you are in close
contact often with patients. Bathing and mouthwash etc.
should be closely paid attention to.
•Fingernails should be active length (no more than 1/4
inch) and clean. Artificial nails are not allowed and it is
very important to always wash hands before and after
every patient.

9. Communication
•Verbal - Make sure you always introduce yourself and
explain everything you are doing
•Listening - Look at the patient, encourge them to express
and concers or feelings and then allowing them time to
communicate why they are feeling those ways.
•Nonverbal - Facial expression, posture and eye contact
are all very important. Make sure you are smiling when
you enter a patients room and that you make eye contact
with them. Make sure your posture is good and you are
not slouching.

10. Being a professional is not just about
"doing your job" but "loving" your job
especially in healthcare. It really takes
a special kind of person that can
follow through with and posses all the
qualities: honesty, integrity, respect,
compassion, competence,
dependability and organization and do
them day in and day out with a smile
that makes them a true Proffesional in
Healthcare.

11. 1. What is the most important thing to
you about professionalism when you
are the patient?
2. If a healthcare provider mislables a
patients chart or blood sample etc. it is
usually grounds for dismissal. Why is
that? Where do you think this fits into
being a professional?

12. Di Lorenzo-Schaub, Marjorie & Strasinger, Susan King. The
Phlebotomy Textbook. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company,
2011
Images from: www.fotosearch.com