A Collaborative Approach to Communication for

Healthcare & Engineering Professionals

Beth Vye October 13, 2012

About ISIS • ISIS is a leading

community organization that welcomes immigrants

• Working in partnership, ISIS offers services and creates opportunities that enable immigrants to participate fully in Canadian life

Overview of Communication for Healthcare Professionals and Orientation and Communication skills for Engineers

Similarities / Differences

Partnerships / Community Outings

Activity 1 Inclusive language

Activity 2 Breaking Bad News

Activity 3 Describing a Process

Workshop Outline

Course Content

Similarities• Everyday English• Profession Specific

Writing and Presentation Skills

• Networking • Connecting With

Colleagues / Teamwork

• The Language of Management

Differences• General Orientation /

Pathway to Licensure• Communicating with

Patients• Medical Terminology

Self-Study Guide• Medical / Engineering

Administration• Scheduling• Community Visits

Exciting Developments

Four month Work Placement pilot program for OCSE “On-the-job” competency based-

assessment

Coaching and support provided by Engineers Canada

Partnerships with host employers

Employment Module

• Job interview skills• Practice interviews• Individual feedback

from video recordings

Computer Module

• PowerPoint• Calling card • Access to ISIS

computer lab

Evaluation• Ongoing in-class assessment

• Assessment based CLB

• Communication assessment at Dalhousie Learning Resource Centre

• Communication assessment based on employment practice interview

• Certificate of completion

Community Partners • Dalhousie Learning Resource Centre• Dalhousie Kellogg Library• IWK Library • North End Community Health Centre • Capital Health Volunteer Services• Halifax Sexual Health • Ronald McDonald Room and Ronald McDonald

House • Dalhousie School of Occupational Therapy• Dalhousie Medical School and Nursing

Student Placements • Addiction Services

Community Outings/Speakers

• St. John Ambulance• Cancer Care Nova Scotia• IWK Pre-Birth Clinic• Capital Health Public

Health Services• Cobequid Community

Health Centre• Shannex Enhanced Care• Nova Scotia Hospital• Canadian Blood services

Dalhousie Learning Resource Centre

Communicationassessments withsimulated patients

Feedback to improve communication and interviewing skills

Dalhousie Kellogg Library & IWK Library

Orientation to the IWK and Kellogg Libraries One-on-one

appointments at the Kellogg

Temporary borrowing privileges at all Capital Health Libraries

North End Community Health Clinic

• The role of a community health clinic

• Job shadowing

Addiction Services

Presentation about addiction in Nova Scotia

Engineers Nova Scotia provides:

OrientationLicensure counselingOpen door policy

Presentations

Project Management Work Placement Project Occupational Health and Safety Toastmasters Discussion Panel Evaluation Tool Ethics

Student Testimonials

“After taking the Communication for Healthcare program, I feel confident and

would like to take on more challenges and responsibilities with regards to being a healthcare professional in Canada.”

CHP Participant

“The engineering class is very good, informative and friendly. It is great to learn about the Canadian work environment and culture. It is a good chance to talk with senior engineers in various fields and learn from their experiences in their own countries.”

OCSE Participant