The Importance of Empathy in the Workplace

March 28th, 2014

The workplace isn’t always the most kind or sympathetic place to be. In fact, some team members and co-workers can sometimes treat each other rudely, but in the medical profession, there is no place for that kind of attitude or treatment. Empathy should be the rule for every workplace but especially for those in the medical field. The foundation for every medical facility, large or small, should be one of compassion and respect, starting from the top and spreading to each and every patient who enters the building.

Positive Bed-Side Manner
Those in need of medical care are feeling vulnerable and helpless, but the right words, demeanor, and attitude can put them at ease. This is accomplished through a staff of individuals who understand this and work hard to create that environment. It is a fact that happy and calm patients will heal faster and achieve the desired results of recovery. During the course of the day, medical personnel can find themselves worn out and in need of positivity in their immediate surroundings, and this is where empathy in the workplace comes into play. Here are some simple steps you can take to show your co-workers that you care and when you give to them, they are more likely to pass it on to their patients.

  1. Smile at those around you. Even if there is nothing funny or you’ve seen that person ten times in the past hour, give them a smile and see how it lifts their mood.
  2. Help when you can. If you have some downtime, look around and see who could use some extra assistance with a difficult patient or in getting caught up on a task.
  3. Show up early for your shift. Relieve the previous shift or at least give them time to close their logs and be on their way earlier than usual.
  4. Bring in goodies. You don’t need to buy anything expensive but consider baking something and taking it to work or even take in some fruit and granola bars.
  5. Pull your weight. While this may seem like more of a team building attribute, you should always do your job and help others on your team complete the tasks at hand. This demonstrates your respect and value for their work and time.

As the employer or employee in a medical facility setting, it is important to continue the circle of care and empathy. Without that, you become a facility where patients feel like a number and many will search for better options for their care. Not only will you lose patients but your reputation and job satisfaction will decrease and it can be difficult to rebuild. Avoid the unnecessary problems with simple actions of treating others how you want to be treated.

The Use of Music as Therapy in Elderly Patients

March 18th, 2014

As patients age, their health problems can increase from brittle bones to memory loss, and while there are few options to drastically improve their mental state, new research is providing hope for an improved quality of life for their daily life. Music therapy can be the medium used to bring the elderly out of their depression and provide them with an outlet for strength and happiness. The ideology behind the therapy is simple: music can recreate memories and cause the elderly to interact with something positive and happy, music.  When the brain is stimulated, it tends to stay in that state so the elderly can have hours of productive brain thought after the initial music therapy session.

Creating a Higher Quality of Life for the Elderly
Plagued with health problems, medications that make them groggy and even a loss of special memories can make the elderly depressed and they will sometimes retreat from the world. When this occurs, their health begins to deteriorate at a rapid pace without daily walks, mental stimulus, and the social interaction that humans need on some level. Music has always been regarded as a mood-lifter and a positive influence in lives. It can reduce anxiety and confusion with dementia patients, causing them to interact with others and when the brain is stimulated, it can lead to increased functionality throughout the day. The elderly are more apt to vocalize a problem and even remember things on their own. Even for the elderly without dementia, the music will create a calm environment and happier exchanges with others in the community as well as the caregivers.

Easy to Understand Why it Works
When the elderly are placed in a retirement setting or even with a caregiver at their home, it can be a scary time. Not only is it is a new situation to face but many times, they may wake up, forgetting where they are and why they are there. Music therapy can work as a calming agent to decrease the agitation felt by these patients who will struggle to put into words their own feelings of helplessness and confusion. Every one of all ages will respond more positively to a happy mood and something familiar, especially the elderly when they hear music from their past that can conjure up good memories for them. It will encourage them to sing along and it may be surprising to see how much they do remember from the “good old days” of their past and the conversations that follow can create stronger relationships and enjoyment. Elderly care facilities around the country are implementing music therapy for patients in all stages of care and seeing dramatic results when the patients are given the chance to choose their favorites on a music device. 

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Pinnacle Workforce strives to meet the needs of the dynamic healthcare industry. We promise to provide qualified professionals to the companies and organizations where they are needed most. Want to learn more about our team and how we can benefit your hiring needs? Contact our team of experienced San Antonio medical recruiters today!

Are You Putting Your Best Foot Forward in Your Interviews?

March 14th, 2014

In an economy where the qualified candidates outnumber the others, you have to stand out. How is this accomplished without seeming obnoxious or arrogant in a job interview?  Putting your best foot forward doesn’t mean compromising who you are or even acting a certain way but rather being true to yourself. If that doesn’t work for the interview, it won’t work for the new position and both parties should be comfortable with their true person. Usually if you have made it to the in-person interview, you meet the basic qualifications so there should be something about you that sets you apart. There are several actions you can take in order to help sway the interview in your favor so that you are remembered for your abilities, personality, and how well you would fit into the role.

  1. Engage the interviewer. Don’t just recite answers back to their questions but go one step further by adding some personal information to your answer or even ask them a question after your response. If you are asked about your education, take a couple extra seconds to explain why you went to that school or how a certain class really changed your life. Don’t ramble but try to answer with more than just one sentence.
  2. Be personable. From the receptionist who greets you to others in the parking lot vying for that one open spot, show a friendly, positive attitude, because these are potential co-workers and no one wants to work with a grouchy person. While they may not conduct the interview, their input could be heard and you want it in your favor.
  3. Know facts about the company. When you’re answering questions about prior work experience, you can tie it to the current interviewer. Use common connections in the industry, clients, and even experiences to show the interviewer that you know exactly who they are and the position they are trying to fill.
  4. Exude confidence and knowledge. If there was a new development in your field, talk about it and explain the facts. The interviewer may or may not know about it but it is a win-win either way. You can share some new information with them or you can partake in a lively conversation about what happened. This gives you a chance to connect with the interviewer and for them to realize you know the industry.
  5. Common courtesy rules the day. Be on time, don’t chew gum, turn off your phone, keep the cologne/perfume to a minimum, and speak clearly. Treat the interview seriously and you will be viewed as a viable candidate.

Not every interview will be the same but the small details are what will set you apart. These principles can apply to all job interviews you may have, regardless of the field.

Have Additional Questions?

Contact our team of experienced recruiters today! We are committed to helping professionals find employment in the healthcare industry.

Should Medical Professionals Use LinkedIn?

March 7th, 2014

Social media connects people from all walks of life and professions with a simple invite from one profile to another. It has brought together long-lost family members, rekindled friendships, and even helped network for professionals to find better jobs. The variety of social media outlets continues to increase but the one that stands out for professional use is LinkedIn. With over 1.5 million identified healthcare professionals, it is a site geared for use by those who want to increase their career network, find a new job, or those who want to find new candidates for their open positions. LinkedIn has a distinct emphasis on professional connections and updates, in contrast to other social media sites that promote random thought and personal information sharing. Medical professionals can benefit greatly from using LinkedIn to connect professionally with others for a variety of reasons:

  1. The busy schedules of medical professionals can make it difficult to meet others in the same field and even those in the same facility. While you may prefer to keep the relationship professional, you can still have a connection with them. Many times doctors and nurses will not fraternize but there is a benefit to connecting outside of the workplace, in a professional way.
  2. Information sharing is invaluable in healthcare. LinkedIn allows users to hone in on updates that are important to them and then have the opportunity to share what they’ve learned. For example, a healthcare professional learning about a new facility or treatment can share it with their network and not only provide that valuable information but become a resource for those in similar fields.
  3. It’s fast and easy to connect. Some social media sites are complicated and full of spam but LinkedIn strives to be a site where users will connect with those they actually know or have a common connection. Rather than signing in to a mailbox full of spam, healthcare professionals can connect with people they actually know and a network that will be beneficial to them.
  4. Legitimate opportunities can be shared and found by medical professionals. As in any job field, there are those who offer non-existent jobs or ones that may not pay market standard and it is a waste of time for professionals. When a job is offered on LinkedIn, it is not free for the job poster so the scammers are properly vetted through the LinkedIn channels.
  5. A high number of medical groups are on LinkedIn and your network can grow by leaps and bounds. The next time you need to find a registered nurse or bio/pharm professional, it will take a minute to search through your chosen groups and find real people with the right credentials.

As a professional in any field, it is wise to have a network of others you can turn to but this is especially the case in the world of healthcare professionals. Trust and privacy are the cornerstone for those working within the medical field so proceed with caution when  finding new staff or suppliers.

Have additional questions on how to find qualified candidates for your organization? Contact our team of recruiters today to learn about the benefits of partnering with us!

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