Professionalism
Lynn Lawrence, CPOT, ABOC
Congrats! Para of the South
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From West Virginia
Belinda Coberly
The other lady is
her sister…just
kidding, its her
daughter Tess!
Communication
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While attending a marriage seminar on
communication, David and his wife listened to the
instructor declare, “It is essential that husbands
and wives know the things that are important to
each other.”
He addressed the man, “Can you describe your
wife’s favorite flower?”
David leaned over, touched his wife’s arm gently
and whispered, “Pillsbury All-Purpose, isn’t it?”
Overview Cont…
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Define Professionalism
Determining who is a Professional
Elements of Professionalism
Hindrances to Professionalism
How to instill professionalism at work
How to get others to see you as a
professional
Professionalism
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Webster: the conduct, aims, or qualities that
characterize or mark a profession or professional
individual
Lynn: someone that has learned a skill,
understands it’s importance, and continually
strives to improve upon it through education and
on-the-job training
Sports, medicine, law, technical skills,
When you fail the entire profession takes a hit!
Professionalism is:
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Having an awareness of how your actions,
body language, and words affect others
Being accountable for one’s action
Learning to master skills of the trade
Leading by your example
Having a passion that cannot be stopped
Professions
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have a body of
knowledge, scope of
practice, agreed upon
values, oath or code
and accountability to
our society for their
profession and their
professional behavior.
Professionalism
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Describes a certain
type of behavior in
the workplace
Based on our values
and understanding of
our professional roles
Evidenced in our
behavior
Becoming an expert
Where do we start?
What does professional
mean?
 An occupation
requiring specialized
knowledge and often
long and intensive
academic preparation
 Conforming to the
technical or ethical
standards of a
profession
Who Determines
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No one can tell you if you
are a professional
You can work in a
profession and not
demonstrate the traits of
a profession
Doesn’t matter what you
actually do, you can do it
professionally
You determine if you
want to be viewed as a
professional
How professionalism is judged
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Against a set of
expectations or standards
From our own personal
values set and
understanding of what
“professionalism” means
May be situational in
nature
Strongly influenced by
culture
Elements of Professionalism
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Education and training (credentials)
Participation in a professional organization
Attitude (determines altitude)
Knowledge of responsibilities
Knowing limits of responsibilities
Determination
Appearance
Communication (upward, downward, lateral)
Professional is judged through:
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Our
Our
Our
Our
Image
Communication
Competence
Demeanor
From the Patient’s Perspective
Trustworthy
 Competent
 Empathetic
 Respectful
 Caring
 Commitment
 Accountibility
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Our relationships with patients:
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Therapeutic context
Safety, trust and
ethical behavior are
foundational
Relationship has
boundaries
Vulnerability of
patients and the
imbalance of power
Treat patients like your favorite family members
From the Co-Workers
Perspective
Trustworthy
 Competent
 Supportive
 Respectful
 Accountable
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Body Language
Functional Trust
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All people have an
equal need for
respect
Respect is the basic
foundation of all
healthy personal
relationships
Each team member is
equally important
Each team member’s
work is equally
important
Mutual respect
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All people have an
equal need for
respect
Respect is the basic
foundation of all
healthy personal
relationships
Each team member is
equally important
Each team member’s
work is equally
important
Hindrances
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Not knowing your job
Poor communicator
Failing to understand
impact of actions
Poor decision making
Poor language
Personal conduct on and
off the job
Not keeping current
with trends in profession
Dress and appearance
Poor or Bad Attitudes
Professionalism is NOT!
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Blaming others
Waiting for others to take
the lead
Bringing drama to
situations
Losing your composure
Making excuses
Letting your ego take over
Having a bad attitude
Developing the Staff
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Ensure everyone is learning something all
the time
Ensure everyone understands what is
expected and what is at stake
Establish efficient lines of communication
Instill an atmosphere of teamwork
Identify all stakeholders
Accountability is a must…documentation!
Others/You Professionalism
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Train
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Tell, show, watch, agree
Look the part
Speak the part
Communicate the part
Always be aware
Get feedback
Practice at home
Personal Professional
Development
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Don’t wait for someone else to train you
Don’t work for an office that is professionally
blocking your dreams and goals
Don’t make excuses, make plans and stick
to them
Get involved in your future…develop career
path to success and follow it…
Find others to get involved in your future
Become an expert
Don’t forget, it is your future
Ways to Develop Your
Professionals
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Examine what you
want…be the example
Set clear borders
Teach staff how to
learn
Find great examples
Educate, educate
Explain office values
Teach tactical/
strategic thinking
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Create an environment
that encourages
development
Develop a clear
advancement plan
Find out about staff
personal goals
Write down the career
path/review quarterly
Recognizing Professionals
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Professionals are
always learning
Professional conduct
demonstrates learning
Professionals are
focus on the
profession
Professionals connect
with the profession
Professional know
what they are doing
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Professionals look,
talk, reflect their roles
Professionals are loyal
to the profession with
in their actions
Professionals look for
ways to advance the
profession
You never have to
look for a professional
Professional Issues
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National roles and
functions of the
professional…get involved
Liability and malpractice
Conduct, confidentiality,
and ethics
Hygiene and Infection
Control
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Asepsis
Cross contamination
Sterilization
7 Steps on How to go Interview
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Step 1 Learn the basics and
make a positive impression
Step 2 Know who you are and
what you can do
Step 3 Do your homework and
come prepared
Step 4 Answer key interview
questions with ease
Step 5 Handle tough
questions with confidence
Step 6 Follow up
Step 7 Negotiate your way to
a fair salary
Always do your best. What you plant now,
you will harvest later. Og Mandino
Quote
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One day I had to be the
bearer of bad news
when I told a wife that
her husband had died of
a massive myocardial
infarct. Not more than
five minutes later, I
heard her reporting to
the rest of the family
that he had died of a
"massive internal fart."
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martralyn@msn.com
Thank you very much…
Bless you all…