Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum

1 Alberta HCA Bridging Module 4: Professional Development Page 1 of 36 Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum Bridging Module 4: Professional Development Alberta HCA Bridging Module 4: Professional Development Page 2 of 36 Table of Contents 1. Introduction .. 3 2. Roles and responsibilities of the Health -care provider .. 4 3. Your self-confidence will influence your success .. 8 4. Relationships and boundaries .. 9 5. Team communication .. 12 6. Differences between race, ethnicity and culture .. 18 7. Making lifelong learning a goal.

2 21 8. Importance of information technology in healthcare .. 24 9. The Alberta Health Care Aide Directory .. 25 10. Applying the HCA Role CARE principles and person-centred care approach .. 26 11. Module 4 Exam .. 29 12. References .. 31 13. Answer key .. 33 Alberta HCA Bridging Module 4: Professional Development Page 3 of 36 1. Introduction your role as an HCA, professional development is an expectation. Professional development can be as simple as looking up a policy or procedure you are unfamiliar with, attending an employer in-service on a new piece of equipment or completing more formalized education like online courses or modules.

3 This module will provide an in-depth look at professional development and outline the importance of continued and ongoing professional development throughout your career as an HCA. If you have questions about the content in this module, please contact with Alberta Health for guidance and support. Welcome to the HCA Professional Development Module. By the end of this module, you will be able to: 1. Examine accountability for your actions relating it to being professional in the role of the Health care aide. 2. Examine the Health care aide role and responsibility when assigned care by a regulated Health care professional.

4 3. Describe the influence of the Health care aide s self-confidence and caring behaviours towards others, and identify techniques to improve self-confidence and competence within the role of the Health care aide. 4. Demonstrate communication in a personal and professional relationship. 5. Define methods for giving constructive feedback. 6. Describe methods to reflect on intercultural learning that promote cultural competence. 7. Analyze how your own cultural biases and moral judgements may affect your relationships with clients and their families. 8. Examine the importance of lifelong learning and continuing education within the role of the Health care aide.

5 9. Explain the importance of information technology related to the role of the Health care aide. 10. Develop information technology skills related to the Health care aide profession ( continuing education, electronic Health records, and work emails). 11. Describe the unique contribution of the Health care aide role to the person-centred care planning. In TOC Alberta HCA Bridging Module 4: Professional Development Page 4 of 36 2. Roles and Responsibilities of the Health -Care Provider ead the following information about roles and responsibilities, being professional, and supervision of the support worker.

6 Then answer the review questions and fill in the blank questions. Each member of the Health -care team is specifically trained and/or educated to perform certain care or support activities to provide safe, effective, quality care to clients in the Health system. Roles and responsibilities are the services and activities that an individual is educated and trained to provide while providing Health care. Each individual is responsible for ensuring that he or she has the competency to perform the services and activities within the roles and responsibilities of the HCA. The HCA s responsibilities can vary depending on the province they choose to work in but generally, duties can be grouped into five categories: 1.

7 Personal care: includes assisting with activities of daily living (ADL) like eating, bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, to promote client safety and comfort. HCA s can also assist with Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) like shopping, preparing meals, transportation, using the telephone, and doing housework. 2. Support for nurses and other Health care providers: HCA s follow established care plans for each client by cleaning equipment, taking, recording and reporting vital signs, and assisting with simple wound care. Observing and reporting are important aspects of the HCA role.

8 3. Family Support: HCA s assist with admission and discharges, family and client orientation to the facility along with helping the client unpack and settle in. In a private home, HCA s support families to provide care for their loved one and assist with ADL s and IADL s as required. 4. Social Support: HCA s may help clients participate in social activities by organizing games, activities and outings. HCA s have a role in teaching clients to live independently, to cook, clean or shop. 5. Housekeeping or home management: HCA s do a variety of housekeeping tasks in facilities like making beds, delivering meals and tidying up.

9 In a client s home, housekeeping duties depend on the needs of the client and the family. (Sorrentino, Remmert, & Wilk, 2018). R TOC Alberta HCA Bridging Module 4: Professional Development Page 5 of 36 Being Professional Sorrentino, Remmert & Wilk (2018) define professionalism as an approach to work that demonstrates respect for others, commitment, competence, and appropriate behaviour (p. 14). To be professional in your role, you must demonstrate the following: Positive Attitude: Show that you enjoy your work. Be enthusiastic, considerate, courteous, honest and cooperative.

10 Speak in a professional manner and do not use slang or profanity. Do not gossip or complain. Sense of Responsibility: Be accountable for your own performance at work. Do not blame others for your mistakes. Be on time for work. Your coworkers and your clients are counting on you. It is also the responsibility of Health -care providers to avoid shortcuts ( , taking longer breaks, skipping tasks on the client s care plan, or not using the theory learned in school). Professional Appearance: Your appearance portrays a message. Show that you take your job seriously and have respect for the people you are providing care for.