Essential Function

Technical Standard

Some Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all inclusive)

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment

Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations: evaluate patient or instrument responses; synthesize data; draw sound conclusions.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.

Establish rapport with patients and colleagues.  Use therapeutic communication (attending, clarifying, coaching, facilitating, teaching).  Function (consult, negotiate, share) as a part of a team.

Communication Ability

Communication abilities sufficient for effective interaction with others in spoken and written English.

Explain treatment procedures; initiate health teaching; document and interpret instructions.  Listen attentively.

Physical Endurance

Remain continuously on task for several hours while standing, sitting, moving, lifting and/or bending.

Manually resuscitate patients in emergency situations or stand/walk for extended periods of time.  Turn, position, and transfer patients.

Mobility

Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces; full range of motion; manual and finger dexterity; and hand-eye coordination.

Move around in work area and treatment areas.  Position oneself in environment to render care without obstructing the position of other team members or equipment.

Motor Skills

Gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe patient care and operate equipment.

Use equipment and instruments with necessary dexterity.

Hearing Ability

Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.

Ability to hear alarms, emergency signals, muffled voices, auscultatory sounds and cries for help.

Visual Ability

Normal or corrected visual ability sufficient for patient observation and assessment, ability to discriminate between subtle changes in density (black and grey) or a color at low light.

Observe patient responses, secretions, color.  Read thermometer, chart, computer screen, digital printouts, labels and gauges.

Tactile Ability

Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.

Perform palpation, functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic intervention.

Olfactory Ability

Olfactory senses (smell) sufficient for maintaining environmental and patient safety.

Distinguish smells which are contributory to assessing and/or maintaining the patient’s health status or environmental safety.

Professional Attitude and Demeanor

Ability to present professional appearance and implement measures to maintain one’s own physical and mental health and emotional stability.

Work under stressful conditions.  Be exposed to communicable diseases and contaminated body fluids.  React calmly in emergency situations.  Demonstrate flexibility.  Show concern for others.