PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize the
key elements of professional practice.
Each member of the healthcare team has specific
responsibilities and limitations that define his area of
practice.
To fulfill your role as a member of the
Hospital Corps within the context of the total mission
of the Navy Medical Department, it is imperative that
your practice be based on a sound body of knowledge
and the development of well-defined technical skills.
The rate training manual (TRAMAN) contributes to
the development of your body of knowledge. The HM
occupational standards (NAVPERS 18068F, chapter
40) define minimal technical skills required of a
Hospital Corpsman. As a member of the healthcare
team, the mechanism of on-the-job training, in-service
classes, and continuing education programs contribute
significantly to your continued growth in both
healthcare knowledge and skills.
PROFESSIONAL LIMITATIONS
I n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e i r p r o f e s s i o n a l
responsibilities, all healthcare providers should realize
that they are subject to certain limitations in providing
healthcare services. These standards of practice are
based on the amount and kind of education, training,
experience, local regulations, and guidelines
possessed by the healthcare provider. The mature,
responsible individual will recognize, accept, and
demand that these limitations be respected. In clinical
settings, Hospital Corpsmen are tasked with
administering medication, performing treatments, and
providing individual patient care in compliance with
the orders of the senior healthcare provider. In the
hospital and some clinical environments, a Nurse
Corps officer divides and delegates portions of the
patients care to other members of the team based on
the skills and experiences of each member.
In
situations where a Nurse Corps officer is not a member
of the team, such delegation of duties will generally be
made by an experienced chief petty officer or a senior
petty officer of the Hospital Corps.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Regardless of rank, rate, or corps membership, all
members of the healthcare team are held accountable
for their performance. Being accountable means being
held responsible for your actions. As a healthcare
provider, you should continue to acquire new
knowledge and skills and to strive for clinical
competency. Equally important is your ability to apply
new knowledge and acquired skills as a competent
professional in providing total healthcare.
Accountability becomes a critical issue when
determining issues of malpractice. Malpractice occurs
when an individual delivers improper care because of
negligence or practicing outside of his area of
expertise.
Because the areas of expertise and
responsibility in medicine frequently overlap, legal
limits of practice are defined by each state.
The
assignments and responsibilities of Hospital
Corpsmen frequently include areas of practice usually
provided by physicians and nurses in the civilian
sector.
These responsibilities are only legal when
Hospital Corpsmen are performing such duties
while under the authority of the United States
Government. Because of this requirement, it is vital
that you thoroughly understand your legal rights and
limitations when providing patient care services both
in government and civilian sectors.
PATIENT ADVICE
Another area that has potential medical and legal
implications regarding your role as a healthcare
provider is that of giving advice or opinions. As a
result of your frequent and close contact with patients,
you will often be asked your opinion of the care or the
proposed care a patient is undergoing. Often, these
questions are extremely difficult to respond to,
regardless of who the healthcare provider is. No one is
ever totally prepared or has so much wisdom that he
can respond spontaneously in such situations. In such
cases, it is best to refer the question to the nurse or
physician responsible for the patients care.
You must always be conscious that you are seen as
a representative of Navy medicine by the recipients of
your care. As such, you will be accorded the respect
that goes with having a specialized body of knowledge
and an inventory of unique skills. A caduceus on the
sleeve of the Hospital Corpsman marks that person as a
member of a prestigious corps worthy of respect.
PATIENT BEHAVIOR
Remember, you have been charged to provide care
to a total, feeling, human person. The person seeking
healthcare service has the same needs for security,
safety, love, respect, and self-fulfillment as everyone
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