5.2 Clinical Professional Practice Domains of Practice Competencies

Appearance

• Practices good personal hygiene and follows Fanshawe PSW Dress code (full uniform, name tag, PSW crest, shoes, hair off the collar).
• Cosmetics and jewellery as per the Fanshawe PSW Program manual’s dress code.
• Hair is clean and away from the face and off the collar.
• Breath and clothing free from food/beverage or cigarette odours- avoids strong scents such as perfume/cologne.
• Refrain from chewing gum at all times

Attitude

• Demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of care and communication.
• Is courteous at all times.
• Cooperates with other students, staff and instructors.
• Accepts constructive feedback.
• Refrain from discussing personal problems at work.
• Applies knowledge of basic coping skills to adapt to work-related change and stress.
• Exhibits willingness to work with care, demonstrates understanding of the roles and responsibilities differences between regulated health professionals and unregulated healthcare providers.
• Recognizes when tasks are too complex or require more time to be completed safely and requests assistance.

Behaviour

• Follows through on feedback – accepts responsibility for own actions – works within PSW role.
• Follows the policies and procedures of Fanshawe College and the agency.
• Maintains client and workplace confidentiality, whether verbally, in writing, or electronically.
• Performs PSW role in an ethical manner.
• Performs client care in a reasonable and timely manner.
• No use of cell phones at any time while at the agency, except during assigned break times.
• Refrain from posting any references to clients, agency, assignments, or staff/ peers/ instructors on any social media applications.
• Refrain from taking photographs in any form, at any time.
• Uses problem-solving and critical thinking techniques in a professional manner while providing care.

Reliability

• Attendance (100%).
• Phone both the agency and the instructor appropriately to report any absences or lateness.
• Hand in assignments on time and in a satisfactory manner.

• Provides safe and competent care to clients.
• Uses basic problem-solving skills effectively when providing personal care.
• Uses time management skills effectively to organize own client assignments.
• Carries out assigned care in a caring manner, following the client’s care plan.
• Uses basic principles of hygiene and grooming correctly and safely when assisting clients.
• Positions, lifts, transfers, moves, and ambulates clients by using proper assistive equipment and supplies, and based on the client’s care plan.
• Provides care which respects the cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs of the client and their families.
• Demonstrates respect for decisions made by clients about health, safety, well-being and lifestyle.
• Demonstrates respect for the client’s personal preferences, space and pace.
• Establishes caring relationships with residents/clients.
• Respects boundaries of resident/client relationships.
• Refrain from posting any references to clients, agency, assignments, or staff/ peers/ instructors on any social media applications.
• Uses proper problem-solving and critical thinking while providing client-centred care.
• Provides care following the client’s care plan and after completion of appropriate data collection.
• Seeks information about the assigned client in order to provide client-centred care at all times.

• Submits all written assignments on time.
• Demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of communication.
• Uses principles of helping relationships when providing care.
• Uses a positive and caring attitude, displaying empathy and respect and sensitivity to diversity when interacting with clients and families.
• Uses communication skills and language appropriate to the client’s needs and situation.
• Recognizes the influence that sensory difficulties and communication disorders have on the client’s ability to interact with their environment and provides care accordingly.
• Supports clients’ verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Ensures that all written communication is legible, written in ink, and without spelling and grammar errors.
• Speaks and writes clearly using correct terminology and abbreviations in all communication and assignments.
• Uses effective communication skills when reporting to staff and clinical instructors.
• Reports to appropriate staff when leaving the unit for any reason and again upon return to the unit.
• Completes all client documentation accurately and promptly according to agency policy.
• Follows all written and oral directions accurately and promptly.
• Identifies when contact precautions should be initiated and reported.
• Follows both Fanshawe College and the clinical agency’s policies regarding all forms of communications.
• Refrain from posting any references to clients, agency, assignments, or staff/ peers/ instructors on any social media applications.
• Refrain from taking photographs in any form, at any time.
• Uses proper problem-solving and critical thinking techniques when communicating with a client who has communication difficulties.

• Implement practices that provide personal safety and the safety of clients and others at all times.
• Use transfer techniques and mechanical lifts according to both Fanshawe and agency policy at all times.
• Use proper self-protective equipment (PPE) when providing personal care. Identify when contact precautions should be initiated and reported.
• Know and comply with health and safety and the employer’s policies and procedures to ensure client and personal safety at all times.
• Recognize and report safety risks in the environment.
• Support clients’ right to a safe, non-abusive and non-threatening environment.
• Use safe feeding techniques that are specific to the client’s needs according to the care plan.
• Use body mechanics correctly and safely.
• Use standard precautions and infection control measures correctly.
• Uses proper problem-solving and critical thinking techniques in order to ensure the client’s safety and comfort.