Employability Skills

Chapter 6

Employability Skills

Learning Objectives

image Define at least 10 terms relating to seeking a career in health care.

image Describe the purpose of a professional organization.

image List three benefits of membership in a student organization.

image List at least three reasons to use parliamentary procedure during an organization meeting.

image Identify the use of three motions of parliamentary procedure.

image Describe the purposes of the job application, resumé, portfolio, interview, and resignation letter.

image List at least five rules for completing a job application form.

image Provide a positive response for at least five questions that might be asked in a job interview.

image Complete a job application.

image Prepare a resumé or personal data sheet.

image Identify the components of a personal budget.

Key Terms

Professional Organizations

In an organization, a group of individuals unites to achieve a goal by cooperation and division of tasks among themselves. Groups can accomplish goals faster and more easily than individuals. An organizational chart shows the relationships among and the roles of the members (Fig. 6-1).

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FIGURE 6-1 As with health care facilities, student organizations maintain levels of organization to protect each member’s rights and expedite business.

Management practices and theories may be used to plan the framework of organizations. This is usually called organizational development. The goal of organizational development is to increase worker satisfaction and lead to increased productivity and quality. The health care worker plays an important part in the health care organization by setting goals, meeting challenges, and implementing ideas.

Work is a means of self-fulfillment and a method to earn a salary and establish economic security. Careful examination of the type of occupation may determine whether it will be satisfying and meet the needs and goals of the prospective health care worker. The choice of a career should be based on an individual’s interests, abilities, and character.

Student Organizations

Student organizations provide a means to learn the behavior and skills necessary to succeed in school, on the job, and as citizens. Each student member is responsible for the effectiveness and success of the student organization. Two national organizations that may be part of a health careers program include the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and SkillsUSA (Fig. 6-2). SkillsUSA is open to students in all trade and industrial programs. SkillsUSA has chapters in all 50 states, four territories, and the District of Columbia (Box 6-1). HOSA is open only to students in health science (occupations) programs.

BOX 6-1

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA prepares America’s high-performance workers. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes, and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, lifelong education, and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It helps each student to excel.

From http://www.skillsusa.org.

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FIGURE 6-2 The HOSA motto: “The hands of HOSA mold the health of tomorrow.” The SkillsUSA motto: “Preparing for leadership in the world of work.” (HOSA motto and emblem used courtesy of HOSA, Flower Mound, Tex.; SkillsUSA motto and logo used courtesy of SkillsUSA, Leesburg, Va.)

Benefits of membership in a student organization include the exchange of information with others who have similar interests, an opportunity to sharpen skills through competition, and a way to develop leadership ability. Health care workers need leadership skills to provide better care. Many styles of leadership may be effective in different situations and may be practiced in student organization meetings (Table 6-1). Through organization membership, students develop programs and activities that build character, good citizenship, and a respect for ethical practices (Fig. 6-3). Confidence gained by assuming responsibility may lead to self-actualization. Student organizations promote and recognize individual and group achievements.

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FIGURE 6-3 Officers of student organizations swear an oath of office as a sign that they understand the responsibilities and importance of their positions.

One of the elements of an effective group is a clear understanding of its purposes and goals. The group must be flexible in the methods used to meet the goals. The members need to practice good communication skills and be able to initiate and carry out effective problem solving. An effective group shares the leadership responsibilities among its members and uses the abilities of all members.

In meetings members make decisions and develop a sense of belonging to the organization. A good meeting develops a sense of pride and enthusiasm for activities. Good meetings are possible when all members feel a sense of ownership of the decisions. Leadership ensures that the meeting is planned, organized, and conducted to cover all ideas in a fair manner. Following through with plans after the meeting is also important to reach goals and develop a sense of community within the group.

HOSA

Founded in 1976, HOSA is a student-led organization in 47 states and Puerto Rico with more than 110,000 members (Fig. 6-4). HOSA is open to all students at the secondary and postsecondary or collegiate levels who are interested in a career in the health professions. HOSA is an integral part of many health science programs, providing students with an opportunity for leadership development and service learning (Box 6-2). HOSA allows students to connect with the health care community while preparing them for entry-level certification and further education. HOSA is only open to health occupations students.

BOX 6-2

HOSA

From http://www.hosa.org.

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FIGURE 6-4 HOSA is 100% health care. (Courtesy of HOSA, Flower Mound, Tex.)

The HOSA National Competitive Events program provides a means of recognizing student knowledge and skills learned through health science education. Students compete in regional, state, and national competition in 57 areas (Box 6-3). Awards for competitors include scholarships for further education. Additionally, HOSA hosts leadership academies, including a Washington Leadership Academy to train state officers in leadership and advocacy.

BOX 6-3   Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Competitive Event Categories*

*Event information may be updated on the HOSA website, http://www.hosa.org.

Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary procedure is a set of rules for conducting a meeting in an organized and efficient manner. Robert’s Rules of Order is the basis for these rules and serves as the guide or authority for business procedures in many groups and organizations. Parliamentary procedure maintains a sense of order during meetings and ensures that all members have a chance to participate equally. The procedure is designed to simplify matters by allowing only one person to speak at a time and by discussing only one idea at a time. Decisions are reached through a process of motions, debate, and voting that ensures all members can be heard (Table 6-2). The vote of the majority determines the course of action, but the minority also has the right to be heard.

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Apr 15, 2017 | Posted by in MEDICAL ASSISSTANT | Comments Off on Employability Skills

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