principles of a strong work ethic

Principles of a Strong Work Ethic• Quality of Work– Know what Quality is in your place of work– Requires competence• Stay current

– Quality is in the details– Be diligent

Compliance• Compliance: acting in accordance with laws

and with a company’s rules, policies, and procedures– Ignoring or breaking rules compromises quality• Hurt a patient or coworker• Lose your job

Compliance Discussion• What happens if employees???– Don’t wear their identification badges at work?– Share private business matters or confidential

patient info?– Make threats against other employees?– Attempt to perform duties beyond their scope of

practice?

Scope of Practice• Term used by national and state licensing

boards for various professions that defines the procedures, actions and processes that are permitted for the licensed individual

Scope of Practice• Defines the actions, procedures… that are

permitted by law for a specific profession

Scope of Practice• Includes:– Specific Education– Specific demonstration of competency

Scope of Practice• dietitians, respiratory therapists, nursing, midwifery

, emergency medical technicians (EMT), pharmacists, social workers, physicians and surgeons, clinical officers and physician assistants, dentists and dental hygienists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, osteopaths, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, audiologists, radiographers, podiatry , Biomedical Scientists and nuclear medicine specialists.

Rules & Policies• Established for a reason• Everyone is responsible for them• health care has written P&P• Know where to find them• Don’t know or not sure…ASK

Non-Compliance• Compliance gaining attention• Gov taking steps to enforce • Violations- you & your employer– Get fired, prosecuted, fined, incarcerated

Be in the Know• Understand law, regulations and P&P’s

• Be familiar with issues

• Know safety procedures

Be in the Know• Know what is expected of you

• It’s your job to know “I didn’t know” is not an excuse

• ALWAYS ask for clarification

Health Care Compliance• HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and

Accountability Act of 1996– Protects confidentiality– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N5dvGpVUG

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Health Care Compliance• HITECH: Health Information Technology for

Economic and Clinical Health 2009– Confidentiality of Hlth info transmitted

electronically– Strengthen accountability of HIPAA

Compliance Concerns• Safety & Environmental precautions

• Labor Laws

• Retention of Records

• Medicare billing

Compliance Concerns• Reimbursement

• Conflict of interest

• Licenses & Credentials

Illegal & Unethical behaviors• Fraudulent• Changing or destroying records• Sexual harassment• Hostile workplace• Stealing property• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfWK7F13

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Sexual Harassment• Avoid any suggestion of unwelcome sexually-

oriented advances or comments – Verbal, visual materials, unwanted touching,

sexual related texting or posting– Anything that makes another person

uncomfortable– You may see it as harmless

Sexual Harassment• Victim:– Report to supervisor– Keep written notes• Observed, experienced, details: date, time, place, who,

what happened, what your action was

Inappropriate Behavior• No weapons at work• No verbal threats• No nasty letters• Do not create a hostile work environment• http://www.hulu.com/watch/55503/the-office

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Inappropriate Behavior• Never knowingly engage in an illegal or

unethical act yourself– and if you notice it happening intervene and

report

Reporting Inappropriate Behavior• To your supervisor or their boss• Not sure? ASK “How would this look to others

from the outside?”• Whistle Blower: person who exposes illegal or

unethical practices – Laws to protect whistle blowers from retribution

The Steps to Take1. If you suspect it report it2. Attempt to resolve internally first– Avoid media & gov.

3. If you have tried but have been unsuccessful, you might need to find another job

Consider This• Reporting Illegal Behavior

Representing your Employer• You are the company you work for

• “by accepting employment, you agree not only to follow your company’s rules and policies but also to support its mission and values”

Representing your Employer• Get a copy of company mission & values

Take an Active Interest• Learn history & Structure and discuss• Read news letter, keep up with events• Participate in social events• Volunteer for committees• Substitute words “we” and “us” for “they” and

“them” p 42

Protect your Employers Reputation• Don’t make negative remarks in public• Use discretion• Give the benefit of the doubt• Assume everyone is doing their best• If you have doubts it may be best to look for

other work

Evaluating your Performance• Performance evaluations: measures success in

executing job duties– Varies between companies– Should be objective not subjective

• Typically annual

Evaluating your Performance• Probationary Period: New employees, trial

period to meet requirements– Closely monitored– Evaluated at the end• Will determine retention

Ideal Evaluation• Employer states their professional goals– Employer states your expected professional goals

• You state your professional goal

• Annually you evaluate if/how you met goals

Ideal Evaluation• Employer evaluates if/how you met goals and

your assessment

• Employer provides positive & constructive feedback

• Lay out goals for the coming year• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aemXgP-2

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360 Degree Feedback• Peers• Subordinates• Team members• Customers• Others who work with employee• Reduce subjectivity provides a broader view of

performance

Affects of Evaluations• Evaluation rating scale• Evaluation may be linked to pay– Performance based pay

• Pay raise or no pay raise• Highest rating means going above & beyond

How to Prepare• Review JD, be familiar with essential functions• Ask for a copy of performance evaluation form– Understand criteria & scoring

• If computerized be sure you have the skills• Complete self eval & make copy for employer• Keep a list of questions

During an Evaluation• Practice good listening

• Ask for clarification

• If you disagree object respectfully

• Accept constructive criticism

During an Evaluation• Compare your self eval to your employers eval

• Conclusion: know what is expected of you

• Be sure to Thank your employer

Things to Remember• Employers are often uncomfortable too• You always have more to learn• Request periodic feedback• “Don’t subscribe to no news is good news”• Regular feedback increases your value

Reality Check• “Ripple effect” what you say and do does

make an impact• Create positive ripples – go above & beyond• Avoid the “I don’t care” ripple• Be intentional about everything you say & do