Professional Practice

Course description

This course introduces the support worker student to the foundational concept of being a professional including the role, responsibilities, accountability and scope of practice of the support worker as a member of the interprofessional team working in various health care settings. This course presents strategies for being a successful college student. Relevant workplace legislation and the importance of following established policies and procedures, ethical principles and professional boundaries in a variety of health care settings will be discussed. The student will be introduced to the roles of the interprofessional health care team with a focus on collaboration using a professional approach to provide supportive person-centered care across the lifespan. Current issues and trends in the health care delivery system and their impact on the support worker role will be examined. A focus on communication and interpersonal skills, including observing, reporting, documenting and transferring accountability essential to establishing and maintaining effective helping relationships with interprofessional team members, clients and family members will be discussed. Topics of neglect and abuse and appropriate responses for the support worker will be explored. Problem solving, critical thinking, and reflection will be incorporated as themes throughout the course.

Course details