Essential Functions for the Healthcare Professional
Performance essentials or essential functions are defined as those physical, mental, and psycho-social characteristics that are necessary to meet the demands of the Health Science Division Programs and eventual therapeutic care of patients and all tasks associated with that function.
Becoming a healthcare professional requires the completion of a technical education program that is both intellectually and physically challenging. The purpose of this statement is to articulate the demands of the Health Science Division Programs in a way that allows students to compare their own capabilities against these demands.
There are times when reasonable accommodations can be made in order to assist a student with a disability. Reasonable accommodation does not mean that students with disabilities will be exempt from certain tasks; it does mean that we will work with students with disabilities to determine whether there are ways that we can assist the student toward completion of the tasks. A student with a disability who wishes reasonable accommodation must request it through the Disability Services provider on campus.
Motor Skills
- Physical strength to lift, carry, pull, and guide weights upto 5O pounds
- Ability to move about freely and maneuver in small spaces
- Tolerate bending, stooping, twisting, sitting, kneeling, standing, squatting or walking for extended (8-12 hour shift)
- periods of time
- Possess fine motor skills
- Maintain balance
- Agility to respond in an emergency situation
Communication Skills
- Process, comprehend and communicate information (verbal and written) effectively,
legibly, in a timely manner, in
the English language, and with individuals from various social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
Cognitive/Critical Thinking Skills
- Collect, measure, calculate, analyze, interpret, and apply information
- Exercise good judgment in a variety of settings
- Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively
Interpersonal and Behavioral Skills
- Establish and maintain professional working relationships
- Apply conflict management and problem solving strategies
- Demonstrate professional, ethical, and legal behavior
- Demonstrate appropriate maturity, emotional stability, and empathy to establish effective and harmonious
- relationships in diverse settings
- Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to change
- Maintain self-control in potentially stressful environments
- Comply with professional standards regardless of circumstance
Sensory Skills
- Uses auditory, tactile, olfactory, and visual senses to collect data regarding patient status and provide patient care