Clinical Training Recommendations
In order to make clinical training as productive as possible, a list of Do's and Don'ts has been created. They are not policies or rules, just good sound common sense. If followed, they should assist or ensure a productive clinical training period experience.
DO
- Ask questions and take notes – keep a note pad in your lab coat pocket!
- Communicate with clinical coordinator or program chair if there is a question or problem
- Different techs may do things in different ways – try to adapt to their way of doing things, keeping the things that work for you and letting go of the rest
- Accept constructive criticism – this is how to learn from mistakes! Making mistakes is normal, but refusing to learn from them or take responsibility is wrong
- Do your best to keep your personal feelings out of the situation
- Remember to use proper manners and maintain professional conduct
- Send in all appropriate communications on time
- Be aware of and practice patient confidentiality at all times
- Bring textbooks and notes to clinical training when appropriate – study when time and duties allow but remember that the training experiences come first!
- Volunteer to help whenever possible – these will be your peers and reference sources when you complete training and enter the professional field
DO NOT
- Be confrontational with clinical training staff – if you are having trouble or have concerns, speak with the clinical preceptor and/or the clinical coordinator at NWHSU privately
- Be late to arrive to your scheduled shift or back from lunch/breaks
- Use the telephone for personal use
- Have your cell phone out in the lab for any reason
- Use internet for personal use for anything other than schoolwork, when you have finished your assigned clinical tasks for the day
- Get involved in conflicts between clinical training staff
- Take thinks personally
- Do things that you are unsure about – ask first!
- Sit around with nothing to do – find something to study, clean, observe, etc.