Interpersonal skills are as important as clinical abilities
There is more to a successful career in healthcare than your skills training and clinical abilities. While the hands-on skills education is vital, so is the way that you communicate with patients and colleagues. Empathy, compassion, and professionalism are all soft skills that can really elevate your resume and help you stand up above the rest when it comes to the job hunt.
“We see people in their worst and most vulnerable states,??? explains Carmen Sheridan, Dean of MCG Career College. Therefore, students training at MCG to be Medical Office Assistants and Unit Clerks spend a portion of time learning appropriate “bedside manners??? and how to keep patients feeling safe and comfortable.
Just as we ask patients to be kind to the healthcare workers who are working around the clock to provide life-saving treatments, we also ask the nurses, doctors, medical office assistants and other healthcare workers to be respectful of those who are struggling with their health.
Here are five soft skills needed in the healthcare industry.
Communication
Communication is a key cornerstone of the healthcare industry. Healthcare workers need to communicate effectively with doctors and other practitioners and provide clear updates to patients and their families. Being clear, concise and efficient with your communication is extremely important.
Empathy
Healthcare workers need to take a patient’s situation and try to understand their perspective and feelings. Taking the time to confirm that you have the right understanding of their impressions is also a way to express empathy as you help patients and their families through difficult times.
Professionalism
A positive, professional attitude goes a long way in the healthcare industry. Dealing with stress on a daily basis can be wearing and draining on healthcare workers. Those who can remain positive, confident and professional in the most trying of circumstances are often regarded as top-level employees.
Transparency
It can be very uncomfortable and unnerving if you feel like someone is lying to you, especially when there is a medical issue involved. Through openness and honesty, healthcare workers can earn the trust of their patients and help them feel comfortable, even in tense moments.
Boundaries
While all of these soft skills lean towards developing a fairly personal relationship with a patient, maintaining boundaries is crucial. The relationship between a healthcare worker and their patient must be one that remains safe, respectful, and professional.