Professional Development in Community Healthcare: A Portfolio

This report provides a comprehensive overview of professional career development for community healthcare workers. It begins with an introduction to professional development and its importance, followed by a detailed analysis of key skills, including employability, academic, and professional competencies. A SWOT analysis is presented to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, offering a strategic framework for career planning. The report then delves into research and learning styles, exploring the VARK learning theory and its application in the healthcare setting. It outlines various roles and responsibilities within the healthcare department, including health promotion, healthcare management, and youth work. The significance of teamwork and its impact on patient safety and satisfaction is discussed, along with the importance of effective team contribution and positive feedback utilization. The report also establishes short-term and long-term career goals, culminating in a personal development plan designed to enhance the community healthcare worker's skills and overall effectiveness. The report concludes with a summary of key findings and recommendations for continued professional growth and development within the healthcare sector.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
1.Overview..................................................................................................................................3
2. SWOT analysis........................................................................................................................4
3. Research and Learning styles..................................................................................................5
4. Roles and suitability................................................................................................................7
5. Importance of team work .......................................................................................................9
6. Academic, Professional and Employability Skills ...............................................................10
7. Effective Team Contributor..................................................................................................11
8. Positive Utilisation of Feedback...........................................................................................12
9. Short-Term and Long –Term Goals......................................................................................12
10. Personal Development Plan................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Professional Development is a wide variety of specialized training and advanced
professional learning which intends to help in improving knowledge, competence, skill and
effectiveness. It also gives the chance of expand professional skills while exposing to other
aspects of the field. This portfolio highlights the various aspects of Community Healthcare
Worker's key skills such as professional, academic and employability skills. Potential roles and
services using SWOT Analysis, 6C's Model, Belbin Test etc. is also being mentioned in this
study. Moreover, contribution as a team member, taking the feedback in positive manner, short-
term and long-term goals of a healthcare worker along with a professional development plan for
a Community Healthcare Worker is being mentioned in this report.
MAIN BODY
1.Overview
Community health care services provide different medical services for improving and
protecting people health in country. In this portfolio there has been a discussion about
employability skills, professionalism which is been required to be a community worker. They
provide services like medical, pharmacy and behavioral health, through the clinical systems. It
also focuses upon the patients well being and satisfaction and also provide them basic care for
their health (Tucker and et.al., 2019). I will always like to do help other persons who are in
trouble. So, I choose this field for helping other peoples and improves my medical abilities. I
have attended various healthcare educational programs and last year I have also developed
clinical- pathways and patient education plans. I am good at managing things and maintaining
records and I can use these skills efficiently in healthcare units. I have also published healthcare
articles for NGO's and professional level presentations on healthcare.
Employability skills are those skills which can be transferred from one person to another
to make them employable. Along with specialized knowledge and certain subject knowledge in
healthcare and social care unit, leader often outline set of acquisition that they want from a
worker (Ibarra and Petriglieri, 2016). These skills are helpful for my personal development as a
community health worker and will also help me in improving my productivity and
competitiveness through which I can perform my task in most efficient manner and save my
time.

Professionalism is related to specific set of amount and the behavior at workplace, scope
from suitable business attire to tactful handling of colleague. I am good team worker with detail
knowledge about healthcare and drug & alcohol worker, which helps me to work as professional
in team activity.
On an Individual level, not only does taking part in healthcare professional development
is the only activity which increases overall competency and helps in improving confidence and
preparing for the inevitable changes and improvements in healthcare sector. Learning and
developing career in Health and Social care develops both the quality of patient's care and the
depth of healthcare professional's knowledge grow overtime.
2. SWOT analysis
Strength
 I am a good team worker and I assist
my senior doctor which helps me to
develop as individual working in team.
 I am very much good in maintaining
patients records which help a team to
grow and enhance. This also helps in
appraisal of workers.
 I am effective in managing team work
as creativity is a key point in me, which
boosts up the surrounding workers.
 I am versatile with the topics like
healthcare, drug addiction etc. which
helps me to grow and support others.
Weaknesses
 As a community worker, I am impatient
towards the work and lack of patience
may misleads many of my patients.
 Decision making is poor in me as I get
messed up with the contents. I am
unable to come up to the end result
which affects my performance.
 Problem solving gets tough as I stick
more to the positive points in me which
does not allow me to grow overall.
 As a community worker, I cannot easily
communicate which develops a fear in
me to communicate in front of
audience. Stage fear is more in me
because of which I cannot
communicate in front of groups.
Opportunities
 As a community worker I have many
opportunities to work in a group like
NGOs which can help me to grow with
Threats
 Confidentiality is at risk, as disclosing
certain things which are not supposed
to, can have a negative effect on my

my skills.
 Hospitals gives a great opportunity to
work for welfare of the patients which
can help them for the betterment of
society.
career and making my objective
redundant or un-achievable.
SWOT analysis worked as a tool for me, through which I came to know what is effective
and less-effective for me, and helped me for doing planning and analysis activity which could
my impact future finance, planning and management decisions. It enabled me to carry out a more
comprehensive analysis.
3. Research and Learning styles
There are some learning styles theory which helps to improve the learning quality of an
individual and or a group. By this person or group of person can easily learn new concepts about
their job roles. Following theories are:
VARK Learning Theory: This theory is based on four important pillars that is; V- visual,
A- audio, R-reading, writing and K- Kinesthetic sensor that are used for learning information.
This theory can basically use by the community workers for improving their knowledge, leaning
and information's.
According the visual learning styles community worker can learn things from see the
body languages and expression of person. Workers can learn about health and social care society
by visual display including diagram, illustrated book, overhead transparencies, videos, white
board and handouts. Community Healthcare Learner can learn from the highlighted point in text,
create flash cards for key information, by the limited amounts of words, create visual reminders
of information (Brinkert, 2018).
The next point of VARK theory is audio learning styles. In these styles of learning,
individual learn from the verbal lesson, discussions, seminars, meetings and listening through
what other says. Community workers understand the underlying actual meaning of speech
through listening to the tone of voice, delivery and speed. Community Healthcare Workers learn
from review of assignments and reading text and notes before entering in class. They use the
techniques of repeat information which is important, listen to recording regularly, they can use
books on tape etc.

The another point of this theory which can be useful for community workers is reading
and writing learning styles. Community healthcare worker can learn from rewrite their notes,
read and reviewing notes on daily bases, by organizing graphs/diagrams into statement. This
aspect can improve the quality of work life in health care institutions (Faisal and et.al., 2017).
The last segment of this learning theory is Kinesthetic learning styles. This types of
learner learn from the hand on formulation. Community workers can improve their work life in
health care center by use this learning styles. They can learn from touch, feel and moving in
reading materials first to understand the concepts of health and welfare. They can also learn
techniques of welfare of people, record notes and learn them at the time of practicing, by staying
active in each and every sections of healthcare (Dinçer and Seferoğlu, 2018).
Illustration 1: learning styles
(Source: VARK, 2017)
4. Roles and suitability
There are different roles and responsibilities in health care department, which performs
major roles and task in particular department that is;
Health Promotion: It is a process of influencing peoples for improve and increase their health
and also control over it. The main purpose of this activity is lift consciousness about the healthy
behavior of respective. It includes public services, medical fair, mass campaign etc (Numminen
and et.al., 2017).

Healthcare Management: It is total management of health care activities such as hospitals,
clinic etc. A healthcare manager is in charge of assuring facilities of healthcare running as it
should in term of monetary fund, objectives of the facility's professional and the need of people.
An in charge person manage day to day operation of facilities (Evetts, 2017).
Youth Worker: They are work with young people of age 13-19, for encouraging, providing them
resource and help to accomplish their potential. Number of clinical young workers help
healthcare professional in the delivery of diligent care. They are work with practitioner, help
them or welcoming and set up patients, inform them the treatment and updating patient records.
Being a youth worker fascinates me a lot. As a youth worker I can get engaged in all the
activities which promote and protect health aspects of the young adults.
Code of conduct for health and social care professional:
Code of conduct sets standards for all social care and healthcare support workers. It
defines how a support workers helps, behave, and certificate of care define what are the
minimum things they know and able to perform (Midttun and McCash, 2019).
As a healthcare assistance or adult care social worker, it becomes valuable and important
contribution for providing high quality of health and social care support. It is very important to
be accountable and answer all the questions and query of an individual. Promoting the privacy,
rights, dignity and well being of person who continuously using healthcare services. Also
promote the equality in healthcare department rather than discrimination. Code of conduct also
help the employer for identifying the expectations of them, or of people standards are not match
the expectations it will also help employer for identify them (Price and Reichert, 2017).
6 C's in health and social care services:
CARE: Care is the first and main important
aspect of health and social care department.
They deliver health securities to the whole
community. Care defines this department and
the working process. Individual receive care at
the time of they needed.
COMPASSION: Compassion is a way to
deliver the care with the dignity, empathy and
by respect. It is the kindness of healthcare
peoples and is fundamental to how people
realize their care.
COMPETENCE: Competency is way of all
those affectionate roles have quality to
understand person health and social needs. It's
COMMUNICATION: Communication is
important for prosperous caring relation and
impressive group performance. Listening is

also about having the practical knowledge to
deliver effective treatment on the bases of
research and proof.
also very important in this profession.
Communication is the key for care in health
and social care business.
COURAGE: It is important for people that we
care for and verbalize when interest. This
quality represent the strength and imagination
to introduce, new different ways of
activity(Darcy and et.al., 2019).
COMMITMENT: In this health and social
care department commit to their patient and
populations about their best services for health
point of view. It is important to for build care
and experience of peoples.

5. Importance of team work
Teamwork in healthcare employs the practice of collaboration and enhanced
communication to expand the traditional roles of health workers and to make decision as a unit
that works towards a common goal. Teamwork became an important health intervention for a
number of reasons; community healthcare is becoming more complex and specialised, forcing
medical staff to attempt complicated health services and quickly learn new methods. Researchers
have found that working together reduces the number of medical errors and increases patient’s
safety. Also, because teamwork is centred on solid communication, patients and their families
sometimes feel more at ease and report they accept treatments and feel more satisfied with their
healthcare (Donelan, 2016).
Belbin Test
By using Belbin Test each individual has a greater self understanding of their strengths,
which leads to more effective communication between managers. Each team needs to access to
each of the nine Team Role Behaviours to become a high performing team. Resource Investigator: By using their inquisitive nature community healthcare units can
give ideas to bring back to team. They can explore opportunities and develops contacts as
they are enthusiastic and outgoing. Team Worker: By using versatility to identify the work required and to complete it on
behalf of the team. They should be co-operative, helps the team to gel, listens and averts
friction. This role is most important because as a team worker I can synchronise and
make the work of team better which can increase their efficiency. Co-ordinator: Healthcare worker should focus on team' s objective, draw out team
members and delegate work appropriately. They should act maturely to identify talents
and clarify goals. Co-ordinating task is important to enhance operational efficiency of
organization Plant: Professionals tends to be highly creative and good at problem solving by free
thinking and generating new ideas in unconventional ways. Monitor Evaluator: By providing a logical eye, making impartial judgements where
required and weighing up the teams option in a dispassionate way, health worker can
drive others.

 Specialist: Health worker can bring in-depth knowledge of a key area to the team by
providing specialist knowledge and skills. For this they should be single-minded, self-
starting and dedicated to their work. This role is important so that firm can specialise in
several sectors

 Shaper: The drive and courage to overcome obstacles by accepting the challenges and
thriving on pressure so that the team keeps moving and does not lose focus or momentum
in-spite of dynamic environment, should be present in community health worker. A
shaper is important so that every problem can be shape into a normal one. Implementer: The Implementer by being practical, reliable and efficient can turn ideas
into action and organise the work needs to be done. By adopting a workable strategy and
carry it out as efficiently as possible. It is important to implement any strategy.
 Completer/ Finisher: Community healthcare worker should most effectively, at the end
of tasks, polish and scrutinize the work for errors, subjecting it to the highest standards of
quality control.
From the above study I have found that, as a Community healthcare worker the role that
suits me is of Implementer as I am good at implementing the work as I can plan a workable
strategy by inputting practical ideas and turning them into valuable actions and by investing
more in this skill I can fulfil my desired career goals.
6. Academic, Professional and Employability Skills
As a community healthcare worker, a valuable and important contribution for delivering
high quality healthcare, care and support is necessary. Code of Conduct gives the reassurance
that a healthcare worker is providing safe and compassionate care of a high standard, at the
confidence to challenge others who are not (Oster, 2016).
Academic Skills
 Critical skill is a key skill that should be applied to all aspects of study. Health worker
can get highly skilled by thinking critically about the resources and information, asking
of right questions while reading the work of others and showing the ability to weigh up
different arguments and perspectives and using evidence to help form your own opinion,
theories and ideas (Eaton, 2015). Time management skill helps to manage Health worker time and meet the academic
deadlines. By having a structured approach for managing time is the only key for staying
in control of the work which will prove to be very helpful for a community health worker
(Yen and et.al., 2017).
Professional and Employability Skills

 By being accountable and making sure healthcare worker can answer for actions and
omissions. Always behaving and presenting in a way that does not call into question the
suitability to work in a social and healthcare environment.
 To develop skill a healthcare worker should work in collaboration with colleagues to
ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare, care and support.
 Communicating respectfully with people who use health and care services, and their carer
in an open, accurate, effective, straightforward and confidential way.
 Health worker should respect people's right to confidentiality and only discuss or disclose
information about people who use health and care services and their carer in accordance
with legislation and agreed ways of working.
7. Effective Team Contributor
Team can be define as group of people who are working together to achieve their goals.
Team plays a very important role in organizations as well as in personal lives. Teams are
formed when individuals with common taste, preference, liking, and attitude come and
work together for a common goal. Teamwork is essential for better output and a better
bonding among workers. Teamwork motivates unity in the workplace as it motivates
employees in parallel and align them to work harder, co-operate and be supportive of one
another. Group work also offer differing perspective and feedback which increases the
output along with improved efficiency and productivity. In addition, healthcare worker can
expand their skill sets, discover fresh ideas from newer colleagues and therefore ascertain
more effective approaches and solutions towards the tasks at hand (Zabel, 2018).
Efficient and Effective teamwork has provided me with benefits, as the workplace
becomes more productive and enjoyable when we are able to operate as a team. I have improved
patient’s responsiveness. For example: When a person's condition worsens, the team look to the
leader, knowing that everyone on the team will carry out their respective duties and work with
others to solve problem which results in building trust and confidence in your co-workers
knowing that they will fulfil their duties during crisis. This also helped me to increase my
efficiency and effectiveness in treatment plans, service delivery, and better utilisation of
resources (Akkermans, and et.al., 2015).
As feedback is an important component for professional and personal development. It
helped me to reveal the areas of my strengths to build upon and weaknesses in need of