The health sector has become a protagonist during this pandemic. Workers in the sector have been responsible for receiving and treating patients with coronavirus and other types of ailments. The risk of contagion, stress and the collapse of the service are some of the scenarios that they must face today.
The portal elempleo.com consulted with experts about the soft skills that health professionals should ideally have, especially in a situation that requires double the work, patience and tolerance.
Vocation to service
Mainly, the vocation at the service of these professionals stands out. They are prepared to face all kinds of situations and deal with the consequent stress. Providing good treatment to a suffering public with urgent needs is a great challenge.
“These skills are very important and appreciated today by the IPS (Institutions Providing Health Services) that hire doctors and, especially, by the professionals themselves, due to the characteristics of the environment faced,” says Maria Mercedes Peña, a surgeon specializing in occupational medicine.
Assertive communication
Social skills such as communication, assertiveness and empathy or approach with others allows soft skills to be generated, generating an effective connection with others, among them, patients and collaborators.
Peña complements by saying that “beyond the interaction between the doctor and the patient, we must be attentive to the collaborative resolution of problems that, in turn, entail manifestations in the health status of our patients.”
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Managing frustration
Because there is currently no effective treatment or vaccine against covid19, some professionals – on the front line of care – may feel slowed down. Therefore, frustration tolerance, time management and conflict resolution are important.
Good care and closeness to patients
“The new circumstances of isolation and quarantine have shown that we must work on these types of skills and have been insinuated as crucial. In face-to-face care, it is very important to be able to verify detailed orientation and empathy as a quality of medical care, since humane treatment facilitates the patient’s self-care behavior,” says Peña.
Clarity and effectiveness in teleconsultations
Health professionals or specialists who attend through ‘teleconsultations’ should try to be clear and close with their patients. Assertive communication is vital and for that it is also important that health workers know how to handle technological tools.
For her part, Cristina Herrera, consultant at Talenti, believes that “in this era resilience is valuable, this is the ability to recover and adapt positively to difficult contexts. Also, to advance and develop.”
Know how to manage emotions
Regarding the big picture of the labor market and recruitment trends, soft skills are highly appreciated by employers. “Thus, 70% of companies consider emotional intelligence as one of the most necessary skills for the future. It is followed by adaptability, with 64%, and leadership, with 62%,” says Silvana Vergel, regional director of Hays Executive Latam.
“Of course, the vocation and orientation at the service of health professionals are key, as well as their spirit of research to seek best practices when caring for patients,” concludes Herrera.
Tolerance and patience
With the change of shifts, other skills such as flexibility stand out. Likewise, if the professional is in charge of a work team, whether doctors or nurses, he must choose to be a good leader and the meeting point at critical moments.
Other important skills
“The worker must be empathetic, develop their capacity for self-management, be analytical and a positive leader. In addition, it must have the ability to adapt to do things differently and propose new paths, “explains Nathaly Moreno, human resources manager of Exeltis.
Recognize the time to take a break
All these demands can be overwhelming, so you should always communicate timely to leaders when you feel tired or despair. In this way, contingencies with users and co-workers can be prevented and the health of the professional himself can be ensured.
Health workers now have a great responsibility. Their role is fundamental to be able to get out of an unprecedented emergency. They must understand the situation, take care of themselves and others.
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