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