Professionalism in Allied Health from Coursera

This course will benefit anyone considering a career in allied health, as well as those already working the field. Allied Health Professionals must be committed to the key attributes of professionalism and strive to reflect this within the delivery of patient-centered, safe, and effective care. “Professionalism” is a broad term which reflects many different skills and abilities. For an individual to exhibit professionalism, they must be armed with specific skills and abilities that do not always show up within certification requirements, or even within career training curriculum. Soft skills are hard to measure and are typically less well-defined than hard skills. However, soft skills are what set many job candidates apart. Professionalism is not just what one knows. It is how one does their job, how one behaves, and how one comes across as they interact with others.

The purpose of this course is to support students with soft skills training that will provide the tools needed to demonstrate a higher level of professionalism on the job. Key components of the course focus on patient interaction, proper office behavior, medical ethics, diversity and cultural bias, emotional strength, professional appearance, and communication. The course maintains a focus on the key attributes that are true markers of professionalism.

This course was created with input from healthcare professionals working in the field, healthcare employers that hire our graduates, professional educators, and even former MedCerts students. The end-result is a collection of modules that touch on the soft skills that are truly important in the real world of allied healthcare. In this course, students are engaged through scenario-based learning that allows for real interaction with virtual coworkers and patients. Additionally, game-based activities keep students engaged and entertained throughout their learning journey.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Module 5

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Applicable to those considering and working in allied health professions

Stresses key attributes of professionalism and patient-centered care

Focuses on soft skills, including patient interaction and diversity awareness

Emphasizes real-world scenarios and engagement through game-based activities

Created with input from healthcare professionals and employers

Provides interactive materials and scenarios

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Professionalism in Allied Health with these activities:

Professional Appearance and Communication

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Practicing professional appearance and communication skills will enhance confidence and make a lasting positive impression in the workplace.

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Review guidelines for professional dress and grooming in a healthcare setting.
Practice maintaining a professional demeanor and using appropriate body language.
Record and review your own communication skills to identify areas for improvement.

Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity Training

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Training on diversity and cultural sensitivity will enhance understanding of diverse patient populations, promoting equitable and respectful care.

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Attend a diversity and cultural sensitivity training workshop or webinar.
Read articles and books on cultural diversity in healthcare.
Engage in discussions with individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain insights and perspectives.

Brush up on communication skills

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Revisit the basics of effective communication and practice applying these skills in a healthcare context. This can help improve your interactions with patients and colleagues, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.

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Read articles or watch videos on communication techniques for healthcare professionals
Role-play common patient interactions to practice active listening and empathy
Seek feedback from a mentor or colleague on your communication skills

Four other activities

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Review Ethical Principles

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Reviewing this professional integrity book will help outline essential ethical principles for patient care and healthcare.

View Principles of Biomedical Ethics on Amazon

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Read and summarize key ethical principles.
Identify and analyze ethical dilemmas in healthcare.
Apply ethical principles to real-world situations.

Patient Interaction Scenarios

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Role-playing patient interactions will simulate real-life scenarios, boosting confidence and strengthening interaction skills.

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Prepare for role-playing scenarios by reviewing patient interaction guidelines and practicing active listening skills.
Participate in role-playing exercises with classmates or a healthcare professional.
Reflect on and discuss the role-playing experience, identifying areas for improvement.

Emotional Strength Exercises

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Engaging in emotional strength exercises will develop coping mechanisms and enhance resilience to manage the emotional demands of healthcare.

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Identify personal stress triggers and develop strategies for managing them.
Practice mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises.
Seek support from colleagues, mentors, or a therapist to process challenging emotions.
Reflect on and learn from experiences involving emotional challenges.

Attend Healthcare Industry Events

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Active participation in healthcare events will facilitate networking with professionals, expanding knowledge, and staying abreast of industry trends.

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Research and identify relevant healthcare industry events, such as conferences, workshops, or networking receptions.
Attend these events prepared to engage in conversations, exchange ideas, and expand your professional network.
Follow up with connections made at the events and maintain relationships for future collaboration and learning.

Career center

Learners who complete Professionalism in Allied Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Health Information Manager

Health Information Managers oversee the management of health information in healthcare organizations. They ensure that patient information is accurate, complete, and secure. This course helps build a foundation in professionalism for aspiring Health Information Managers, as it covers essential soft skills such as leadership, strategic planning, and communication. These skills are crucial for Health Information Managers, who must manage teams of professionals and implement policies and procedures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Information Manager

Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselors provide counseling and therapy to individuals and groups with mental health issues. They help clients cope with mental illness, manage stress, and improve their overall well-being. This course may be useful for aspiring Mental Health Counselors, as it covers essential soft skills such as communication, empathy, and cultural competence. These skills are crucial for Mental Health Counselors, who must build relationships with clients and provide support and guidance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Counselor

Massage Therapist

Massage Therapists provide massage therapy to clients to promote relaxation, relieve stress, and improve circulation. This course may be useful for aspiring Massage Therapists, as it covers essential soft skills such as communication, interpersonal skills, and professionalism. These skills are crucial for Massage Therapists, who interact with clients on a daily basis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Massage Therapist

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technicians assist pharmacists in dispensing medications to patients. They also perform other tasks such as preparing medications, maintaining inventory, and providing customer service. This course helps build a foundation in professionalism for aspiring Pharmacy Technicians, as it covers essential soft skills such as patient interaction, medical ethics, and diversity and cultural bias. These skills are crucial for Pharmacy Technicians, who interact with patients and other healthcare professionals on a daily basis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacy Technician

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselors provide counseling and therapy to individuals struggling with substance abuse. They help clients overcome addiction, manage relapse, and improve their overall well-being. This course may be useful for aspiring Substance Abuse Counselors, as it covers essential soft skills such as communication, empathy, and cultural competence. These skills are crucial for Substance Abuse Counselors, who must build relationships with clients and provide support and guidance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Substance Abuse Counselor

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistants help people with disabilities regain or improve their ability to perform everyday activities. They work with occupational therapists to develop and implement treatment plans. This course may be useful for aspiring Occupational Therapy Assistants, as it covers essential soft skills such as patient interaction, emotional strength, and communication. These skills are crucial for Occupational Therapy Assistants, who must interact with patients on a daily basis and be able to communicate effectively with patients and occupational therapists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Therapy Assistant

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants help people with speech, language, or voice disorders. They work with speech-language pathologists to develop and implement treatment plans. This course may be useful for aspiring Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, as it covers essential soft skills such as patient interaction, emotional strength, and communication. These skills are crucial for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, who must interact with patients on a daily basis and be able to communicate effectively with patients and speech-language pathologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Medical Coder

Medical Coders assign codes to medical procedures and diagnoses for billing purposes. They ensure that claims are processed correctly and that patients are billed appropriately. This course may be useful for aspiring Medical Coders, as it covers essential soft skills such as attention to detail, accuracy, and communication. These skills are crucial for Medical Coders, who must code medical records accurately and communicate with insurance companies and other healthcare providers.

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Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical Laboratory Technicians perform a variety of tests on blood, urine, and other body fluids. They help doctors diagnose and treat diseases. This course helps build a foundation in professionalism for aspiring Medical Laboratory Technicians, as it covers essential soft skills such as attention to detail, accuracy, and communication. These skills are crucial for Medical Laboratory Technicians, who must perform tests accurately and communicate results to doctors and other healthcare professionals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Laboratory Technician

Dental Assistant

Dental Assistants perform a variety of tasks in dental offices, such as assisting dentists with procedures, taking X-rays, and providing patient education. This course may be useful for aspiring Dental Assistants, as it covers essential soft skills such as patient interaction, confidentiality, and communication. These skills are crucial for Dental Assistants, who interact with patients on a daily basis and must maintain the privacy and security of patient information.

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Medical Records Technician

Medical Records Technicians maintain and manage patient medical records. They ensure that records are complete, accurate, and confidential. This course helps build a foundation in professionalism for aspiring Medical Records Technicians, as it covers essential soft skills such as attention to detail, confidentiality, and communication. These skills are crucial for Medical Records Technicians, who must maintain the privacy and security of patient information.

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Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistants help patients regain mobility and function after an injury, illness, or surgery. They work with physical therapists to develop and implement treatment plans. This course may be useful for aspiring Physical Therapist Assistants, as it covers essential soft skills such as patient interaction, emotional strength, and communication. These skills are crucial for Physical Therapist Assistants, who must interact with patients on a daily basis and be able to communicate effectively with patients and physical therapists.

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Nurse

Nurses provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor vital signs, and collaborate with other members of the healthcare team. This course may be useful for aspiring nurses, as it covers essential soft skills such as patient interaction, emotional strength, and communication. These skills are crucial for nurses, who must interact with patients on a daily basis and be able to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals.

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Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technicians assist veterinarians with the care and treatment of animals. They perform a variety of tasks, such as taking vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with surgeries. This course may be useful for aspiring Veterinary Technicians, as it covers essential soft skills such as patient interaction, emotional strength, and communication. These skills are crucial for Veterinary Technicians, who interact with animals and their owners on a daily basis.

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Certified Medical Assistant

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) perform clinical and administrative tasks in a variety of healthcare clinics, hospitals, private practices, and other facilities. This course may be useful for aspiring CMAs, as it covers essential soft skills such as patient interaction, medical ethics, and diversity and cultural bias. These skills are crucial for CMAs, who often interact with patients from diverse backgrounds and must maintain a professional and compassionate demeanor.

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Professionalism in Allied Health

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