The word professional means related to work or having to do with a job. The antithesis of professional is personal which in turn refers to the parts of your life outside your job. These things generally include family, friends and home life. Professionalism then, is how you behave when you are on the job. This includes the language you use, the manner you dress in and the things you choose to talk about. It also includes actions such as being prompt and on time, finishing assignments, proper reporting to supervisors and so on. For an HHA, professionalism also means participating in care planning, making critical observations and reporting accurately.
Another important part of professionalism is following the policies and procedures set by your agency. Supervisors, clients and coworkers respect employees and team members that behave in a professional way. Over the long term, not only will professionalism help you keep your job – it will prime you for promotions, raises and general career growth.
Here are some key aspects of maintining a professional relationship with a client:
- Keeping a positive attitude
- Ensuring you are dressed neatly and maintaining proper grooming
- Arriving on time, performing tasks efficiently and leaving on time as scheduled
- Finishing assignments as planned
- Completing only those tasks assigned
- Maintaining a cheerful and upbeat tone with the client despite the HHAs personal mood
- Never cursing or using profanity, even if the client is so inclined
- Never discussing your own personal problems with a client or their family
- Never giving or accepting gifts
- Make sure to call the client by the proper title or last name – as the client prefers. Common titles: Mr., Mrs., Ms. Miss.
- Listen carefully to the client
- Make sure to explain the care you will be providing to the client before carrying out the procedure
- Always follow best practices for care and cleanliness in order to protect both yourself and the client
On the other hand, a professional relationship with an employer might include items like this:
- Keeping a positive attitude
- Completing assignments efficiently and satisfactorily
- Consistently adhering to policy and following proper procedures
- Documenting carefully and reporting correctly
- Communicating problems effectively regarding clients and assignments
- Reporting any blockers that keep the aide from satisfactorily completing assignments
- Making sure to ask questions when unsure or uninformed
- Taking directions and criticism without getting upset
- Always being punctual and on time
- Participating in further education, especially when offered by the HHA agency
- Being a positive role model and advocate for the HHA agency at all times.
In general, the qualities that make an amazng HHA include being compassionate, honest, conscientious, dependable, respectful, unprejudiced, tolerant and a hardworker.
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