Becoming a professional / Reflective practice

Question 1

Describe key aspects of becoming a professional:

Answer 1

• Helping’ can mean teaching, advising, treating, counselling, advocating, etc.
• Key competencies for effective helping
• a mind-set, informed by training and professional relationships

Question 2

Key competencies for effective helping:

Answer 2

• Knowledge
• Attitude
• Skills
• Values

Question 3

Describe professional socialization and professional identity formation:

Answer 3

1. Pre-socialization; time before entry into a profession,
2. Formal Socialization; acquire knowledge and skills, as well as attitudes values, and norms of the profession
3. Post-socialization; Socialization continues throughout career in stages that reshape professional identity

Question 4

Describe the 3 stages of formal socialization into a profession:

Answer 4

1. Transition to task proficiency: moving from pre-conceived concepts of the profession to learning a broad range of subjects (with no direct client contact)
2. Attachment to significant others in the workplace: Interns become less concerned about serving clients & more concerned with how other HCPs view their work
3. Internalization of the values of the professional group and adoption of the prescribed behaviours

Question 5

Describe the 3 stages of post-socialization into a profession:

Answer 5

1. Assuming adequacy: start to recognize discrepancies b/n own practice and experienced professionals
2. Realizing practice: may lead to disillusionment and dissatisfaction
3. Developing a reputation: look for continuing education to develop expertise and advance the profession

Question 6

Explore standards/principles of professional practice:

Answer 6

• Competence: ongoing learning, work within professional boundaries of competence
• Responsibility: Assess and evaluate before taking action
• Respect: Act with honesty, accountability, reliability, and compassion, treat all people with dignity and inclusion
• Engagement: Encourage research, Participate in leadership to advance the profession, Educate and mentor

Question 7

Identify ways to engage in reflective practice:

Answer 7

• Meditate
• Ask colleagues to observe and provide feedback on performance
• Keep a personal journal
• Participate in 360° feedback
• Complete ‘personality type’ assessment
• Use the STARR method to summarize & reflect

Question 8

3 Key Stages of Reflective Practice:

Answer 8

• Stage 1: triggered by an awareness of uncomfortable or positive feelings/thoughts
• Stage 2: involves a constructive analysis of the situation, examining feelings and knowledge
• Stage 3: involves the development of a new perspective on the situation