Reflect upon your own personal views regarding ethics.

BHA 3202, Standards for Health Care Staff 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit VIII

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Summarize the essential qualities of a healthcare professional.

2. Evaluate how ethical behavior affects the workplace.

3. Recommend methods that foster teamwork among colleagues.

4. Discuss the impact personal skills have on the workplace.

5. Discuss the importance of healthcare organization values.

6. Develop a job search strategy. 6.1 Describe the personal steps needed to prepare for a job change.

7. Formulate a plan for advancing in a career.

Course/Unit

Learning Outcomes Learning Activity

1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 Final Exam

6.1 Unit Lesson Article: Managing job transitions: Thirteen questions for a successful search Final Exam

Reading Assignment

In order to access the following resource, click the link below.

The following article is located in the CSU Online Library and can be accessed at the link provided below. It will provide you with insight on preparing for a job interview.

Broscio, M., & Scherer, J. (2003). Managing job transitions: Thirteen questions for a successful search. Journal of Healthcare Management, 48(5), 287. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=tr ue&db=a9h&AN=10893811&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Unit Lesson It has been a long few weeks for José. He has learned a great deal about the healthcare administrator role he has been considering applying for now that Jane is leaving the position. He made his decision to apply for the position, and he was surprised when he went to thank Jane and she stopped him from leaving her office. Jane tells José that he needs to be sure he is prepared to apply for her role. She asks him if he has read the job description for the position, and he is surprised to realize that he has not actually done so. Jane tells him that he might be surprised just what is involved in her role and needs to read the job description for it. She also suggests that he go look on the Internet to see if he can find other such job descriptions. This will help him to see what is standard for the role of healthcare administrator and what might be unique to the position in his clinic.

UNIT VIII STUDY GUIDE Go Get That Job

BHA 3202, Standards for Health Care Staff 2

Jane urges José to carefully consider all parts of the job description. She suggests that he think about the questions below.

• What new responsibilities would he have? • Does he have the skills needed for the position? • Are the minimum required skills enough to be successful in the role? • What kinds of computer skills are necessary for the position? • To whom would he be reporting? • Who reports to him? • Are there any benefit changes that he would have to consider? • What is the salary range, and where does he think he fits?

José knew that he would have new responsibilities, but he did not realize that he would have to do budgeting and staffing reports. While he knows how to use Excel, he did not know he would have to learn how to use new business reporting software to help prepare graphics for presentations to the board of directors. He was good at mastering new software, but he decided that he might want to start looking into other areas that he had not considered until now. José has also learned that before a hiring decision is made, he will likely have to interview with several people in the healthcare organization. He read in a human resources (HR) article about 10 things to consider when interviewing for a job (Colbert & Katrancha, 2016; Martin, n.d.; Stone & Heen, 2014):

1. Know the organization's mission, philosophy, and services. José had learned that this was important before now, but the reality of knowing this became much clearer when he thought about the job interview.

2. Dress as a professional should. José thought this fit in the old adage to dress for success. Recall previous discussions between Jane and José regarding professional image presentation. This presentation applies to both colleagues and patients.

3. Have a portfolio of documents that you might need. Being prepared meant having a copy of a résumé handy as well as college transcripts.

4. Of course, being on time for an interview is important. It was just the courteous thing to do in any situation, but José knew very well how even some of the administrators of his healthcare organization arrived late to meetings and how that made him feel.

5. Show an interest in the position. This seemed like a no-brainer, but it meant more than just looking intently at the interviewer in José's mind. Trying to reply with positive statements, even when asked negative questions, and being specific and direct with his responses should show that he was enthusiastic about the position.

Consider This! José has done his homework; he has gone online and found three actual job descriptions for a healthcare administrator. Much to his surprise, he discovers they are not all the same. While he has a basic understanding of Jane’s job because they work together, he did not realize the position could have such varying requirements and responsibilities. Go to the Internet, and do a search for "healthcare administrator job descriptions." Find three job descriptions, and compare them. Ask yourself the questions below.

• Do all healthcare administration positions perform the same job functions? • What kinds of skills do the positions require? • What benefits are being offered? • How can I best leverage my skills and knowledge for each of these positions? • What type of experience or training will I need for the positions?

BHA 3202, Standards for Health Care Staff 3

6. Listening is an important part of the interview process. José and Jane had discussed this at length before, and here he was seeing in the literature how listening can increase interview success.

7. Give straight answers, be direct, and show interest. This applies not only to the interview but also in communication with José’s colleagues and, in the future, with his staff.

8. Be specific. This also went right along with showing interest and being direct for José. 9. Ask questions. This was another pointer that José read that made good sense. It would help him

show that he was interested, enthusiastic, and could ask questions in the future if he did not understand something.

10. Follow up with the interviewer. This was a new concept to José, but he did see the need to thank the person who interviewed him since this was just a part of being a polite professional.

José felt that he was ready for his interview until he found a list of 10 things not to do in an interview. Every one of the things on that list really seemed to match an item on the list of things to consider that José had read in the HR article. He did have trouble understanding how someone might go to a job interview and interrupt or lie or just be rude, but he knew that these things did happen. It has been a long road for José. He has learned that there are many levels to being a healthcare professional. He feels that one of the key elements he has come away with is that respect for everyone, from your patients to your colleagues and supervisors, is vital to maintaining an effective functioning team and ultimately to providing quality patient care. José feels that he has done his homework to prepare for the new position and will make a good leader and healthcare administrator. He has taken a good look at himself, honestly assessing his skills, personality, ethics, and cultural competency. He has assessed his organization and its structure, values, and communications to give perspective to his anticipated responsibilities. He has sought input from others, researched the job requirements, and begun to build a toolbox of resources that will assist him as he changes roles. He has developed a résumé and prepared for interviews, and he feels that he is ready to take the next step in his career. José and his journey has been the model in this course to help us understand what is required of a healthcare professional to develop skills that will facilitate advancement and success. José was wise to seek out Jane as a mentor and to help him see things from a different perspective. As you prepare to or continue to progress in your career goals, consider the many topics covered in this course as applied to your own situation. Continue

Consider This! José has been reading about the 10 things not to do in an interview (Colbert & Katrancha, 2016). Help him identify how to turn these do nots into dos.

• "My former employer was a real micromanager who always made me feel incompetent."

• "I am waiting for a very important call, so I apologize, but I have to have my cell phone on me and set to ring out loud."

• "Yeah, I know exactly where you are going with that! You do not have to finish that sentence!"

• "Say! Who do you think should be president? I mean, a person in your position must have some insight here."

• "Well, OMG! I am glad that y’all feel that way. Me too! How cool is that?” • "I really need this job. I promise I will do a good job for you. I cannot pay my rent

next month if you do not hire me!" • "Yes, I helped with that major earthmoving project you heard about in the papers.

I just did not want to be mentioned because I hate publicity." • "Ya’ think?! Of course, I can do that; anyone can!" • "What? I am sorry. I totally missed what you were saying there." • "Well, ok then, thanks. I have to get going. Bye."

BHA 3202, Standards for Health Care Staff 4

to build your toolbox with resources and links that you can utilize in your own plan, and use these resources to mentor and help colleagues in the future.

References Colbert, B. J., & Katrancha, E. D. (2016). Career success in health care: Professionalism in action (3rd ed.).

Cengage Learning. Martin, C. (n.d.). 10 interviewing rules. Monster. https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/ten-

interviewing-rules Stone, D., & Heen, S. (2014). Thanks for the feedback: The science and art of receiving feedback well.

Viking. Suggested Reading In order to access the following resources, click the links below. The following articles in the CSU Online Library will help you learn more about how to prepare for a job interview. Captain Bob. (1997). Conquering the job interview. Fire Engineering, 150(8), 127.

https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=a9h&AN=9709240338&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Holveck, D. A. (1984). Your job interview: Make others see you as you see yourself. Nursing, 14(11), 32c–32j. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=a9h&AN=4891786&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. Go to your choice of a search engine, and do a search for how to write a résumé. Choose one style of a résumé you find, and create a new résumé for a new position that you are considering now or in the future. You may use one of the three job descriptions you found in the Consider This! section of the Unit Lesson or find another of your choosing. Ensure you address your specific skills and knowledge in your résumé that are required for the position you choose. You will find these in the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) section(s) of most job descriptions. Practicing to write résumés and having a template ready are vital tools to have in your toolbox. You will never even get to the interview if your résumé does not stand out to the employer.