Professional Development: A Life-long Practice that began with PHC

From the first day of Pre-Service Orientation, it has been emphasized that as AmeriCorps members, our occupation is not a job or internship; we do not have salaries or earn paychecks; and we are not employees, apprentices, or anything in between. Despite the great efforts taken to emphasize the distinction between our service and employment, I have developed skills that will be indispensable in my future career. In particular, I have learned how to interact with others in a professional manner in a variety of settings through both workshops and my service itself.

I had never been taught how to behave in a professional and positive manner until I became a member of the Philadelphia Health Corps, and always figured I would be able to figure out myself when the time came. It quickly became apparent how wrong I was. I learned how different everyone's working preferences and habits can be from our Myers Briggs workshop, and how simply changing the way you present information to someone can affect how they will likely respond based on their personality. Who knew that something as simple as opening your stance when speaking to someone can be used to de-escalate a pressured and volatile interaction? I had never even heard of an informational interview, let alone thought that the best way to find a job was to interview somebody else who isn't even hiring. Through various workshops I learned about every interaction I thought I would come across, and then some.

Learning something in a simulated workshop is one thing, but nothing compares to experiencing those situations and using those skills in real life, and my service gave me just that opportunity. Serving in a city health center, I learned quickly how dependent I was on my more experienced host-site supervisor, as well as my co-workers. Using the skills I learned during our workshops, I knew how to establish strong, constructive relationships so that I could ask them for assistance, and also return the favor when needed. Most importantly, I have learned how to behave professionally in a wide variety of situations that arise when working in a healthcare facility. Whether it is keeping your composure when a drug company tells you your patient's medication hasn't been shipped because there was a word missing on a five page application and they never told you about it; or persevering through the labyrinth of insurance plans and drug formularies; or calmly entertaining a more than dissatisfied patient's demands when their frustrations boil over in your office, maintaining your professional poise gives you the best chance at handling the situation effectively.

Among the countless rewards I have gained through my service term, learning how to interact with others in a professional manner may be one of the more unexpected, yet useful ones yet.
 

This post was written by PHC member Mike Butler.
Mike serves at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health - Ambulatory Health Services as a Patient Assistance Program Advocate.