Health Care Professionals

Unit-R

– Physicians- examine patients, obtain medical histories, order tests, make diagnoses, perform surgery, treat disease and disorders, and each preventive health.

– Chiropractor- Believe That the brain sends vital energy to all body parts through nerves in the spinal chord; when there is a misalignment of the vertebrate, pressure is placed on spinal nerves which results in disease and pain; use spinal manipulation, massage, and exercise to adjust the position of the vertebrate and restore the flow of energy.

– Physicians Assistant- works under the supervision of physicians, take medical histories; perform routine examinations and basic diagnostics tests; make preliminary diagnoses; treat minor injuries; and prescribe and administrate appropriate treatments.

Medical Professions

Other health professions – Nursing- work under the direction of

physicians and provide total care to patients.

– Therapist- Helps people with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities to overcome, correct, or adjust to their particular problems.

– Diagnostics- Perform tests or evaluations that aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury, or other physical conditions.

Where to look for a job?

• http://www.healthjobsusa.com/

• Occupational outlook

• Local Internet

Preparation / Credentialing

Preparation

• High school/secondary- Basic preparation should include: Sciences, Social Studies, English, and Mathematics.

• Post secondary- may include training in: a vocational-technical school, community college, or a university.– Professional- a Doctorate or doctor’s

degree.

Credentials

LICENSURE:– Issued by government agency, usually a state– Person is tested and evaluated– Authority to perform or function in a capacity– Based on law or statute

CERTIFICATION:

– Issued by private organization or agency– Person is tested and evaluated– NOT an authority to act or perform function– NOT based on law or statute

REGISTRATION:

– Listing or assignment of a number to a person– Trained and evaluated to perform a duty or

task– Sometimes based on law or statute– Issed by a governing body

Code of Ethical and Professional Standards

• To set the standard and be an example for others.

• To earn individual respect and increase our credibility with those we serve.

• i.e. Not talking about patients to coworker.

Professional Characteristics– Appearance- a personnel should always appear in a way

that inspires confidence and a positive self-image.

– Attitude- You should have: a positive attitude, patience, have a tolerance for criticism, a certain tact personality, and responsibility.

– Actions- you should always be a team player.

Competence-perform a task correctly and follows instructions.

Ethical Considerations

• Definition of ethics- Principles of right or good conduct.

Ethical behavior- in the workplace ensures good care and good working relationships.

• Professional ethics- Professional ethics are a set of guidelines that any and every healthcare worker should obey.

Ethics continued….

• Patient Confidentiality- Not to be shared or told; only shared with people involved with care of the patient.

• Invasion of privacy- revealing personal information about an individual without consent.

• Negligence-failure to give care that is normally expected, resulting in injury.

• Honesty-faithful. truthfulness

• Dependability-reliable

Where to report unethical issues?

• In a hospital or any job, all employees should follow the chain of command.

• The director of nursing, should be consulted, if there is an unethical issue involving a nurse.

• A supervisor should be consulted, if the employee is not a professional.

Legal Terminology

INVASION OF PRIVACY• Unauthorized release of personal

and medical information.• Unlawful release of personal

information protected by law.• Subjecting patient to personal

physical exposure of their body.

Legal Terminology

• PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS: The communication between parties in a confidential relation that is protected by statute. Cannot be forced, except under unusual circumstances, to disclose such information

Legal Terminology

SLANDER– Untruthful or false verbal statement– Victim must have loss caused by false

verbal statement

“Lies with a loss”

Medical Math

Weight

• Weight Conversion

• 1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg)

• 1 kilogram (Kg) = 1000 grams (g)

• 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lbs)

• 1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)

Volume for Fluids

• 1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters mL/cc = 1 quart (qt)

• 1 milliliter (mL) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)

• 1 teaspoon (t or tsp) = 5 milliliters (mL)

• 1 ounce (oz) = 30 milliliters (mL)

Temperature

• Celsius to Fahrenheit (0C x 1.8) + 32 = 0F• Fahrenheit to Celsius (0F – 32) ÷ 1.8 = 0C

Length

• 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)

• 1 meter (m) = 1000 millimeters (mm)

• 10 millimeters (mm) = 1 centimeter (cm)

• 1 inch (“ or in) = 2.5 centimeters (cm)

• 39.4 inches (“ or in) = 1 meter (m)

Volume for Fluids

• 1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL) = 1 quart (qt)

• 1 pint (pt) = 500 mL/ cc

• 1 milliliter (mL) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)

• 1 teaspoon (t or tsp) = 5 milliliters mL/cc

• 1 ounce (oz) = 30 milliliters ML/cc