Traditionally known as bedside manner, the way medical professionals interact with their patients is just as critical as technical expertise. Across all industries, technical competencies are commonly referred to as hard skills while interpersonal traits are described as soft skills—or people skills.
When hiring, it’s important to find a solid balance between hard and soft skills to help ensure provider/patient trust, improved quality, and optimal patient outcomes.
Soft Skills to Look for When Hiring Healthcare Staff
Communication
Soft skills encompass a broad range of attributes, all of which contribute to patients’ experience and perception of their healthcare. One of the most critical soft skills in healthcare is communication, as providers and support staff must convey complex information in ways that are clear and understandable to patients. This may include anything from diagnoses, care plans and treatment options to appointment scheduling and registration.
- Effective communication is a two-way process. It involves healthcare professionals not just providing information, but doing so in a thoughtful, careful way, even under time or other pressure. This includes letting patients speak, ask questions, and express their concerns so they truly feel heard. This can help avoid misunderstandings that may lead to serious consequences, as well as boost overall patient well-being and satisfaction.
- The same holds true for team communication. Professionals from various disciplines need to work together seamlessly – and effective communication keeps everyone on the same page. This can help reduce errors and build team morale.
Problem-Solving
Working in an environment of ongoing change and often, unpredictability, healthcare workers frequently face situations that require quick use of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Strength in this area helps team members accurately assess situations, consider various options, and make informed decisions.
Adaptability
In line with communication and problem-solving, the best healthcare providers are flexible and adaptable, willing and able to embrace new information, processes, technologies, and protocols to provide the best possible care.
Leadership
Leadership is not just for managers and executives; it applies to any employee who inspires others and helps guide their team toward common goals. Regardless of their position or job title, true leaders seek feedback to continue learning and growing, recognize and take action to affect positive change, and demonstrate self-awareness, emotional resilience, integrity, and vision.
Empathy and Compassion
Patient-centered care is based on empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, as well as compassion, which further enables employees to connect with patients and acknowledge their concerns, emotions and fears. These same qualities need to be extended to family members and other caregivers, to ensure they also feel heard and understood.
Partner with a Healthcare Staffing Agency for Expert Talent
These and other soft skills should overlap and combine with needed hard skills to comprise the best, most well-rounded healthcare employees. Contact PrideStaff Fresno today or request talent to access qualified temporary/contract, temp-to-hire, and direct hire professionals to meet your specific team and business needs.
