PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE LEARNING  OBJECTIVE:  Recognize  the key elements of professional practice. Each member of the healthcare team has specific responsibilities and limitations that define his area of practice. To  fulfill  your  role  as  a  member  of  the Hospital Corps within the context of the total mission of the Navy Medical Department, it is imperative that your practice be based on a sound body of knowledge and the development of well-defined technical skills. The  rate  training  manual  (TRAMAN)  contributes  to the development of your body of knowledge.  The HM occupational  standards  (NAVPERS  18068F,  chapter 40)   define   minimal   technical   skills   required   of   a Hospital Corpsman.    As a member of the healthcare team, the mechanism of on-the-job training, in-service classes, and continuing education programs contribute significantly   to   your   continued   growth   in   both healthcare knowledge and skills. PROFESSIONAL LIMITATIONS I n    c o n j u n c t i o n    w i t h    t h e i r    p r o f e s s i o n a l responsibilities, all healthcare providers should realize that they are subject to certain limitations in providing healthcare  services.    These  standards  of  practice  are based on the amount and kind of education, training, experience,   local   regulations,   and   guidelines possessed  by  the  healthcare  provider.    The  mature, responsible   individual   will   recognize,   accept,   and demand that these limitations be respected.  In clinical settings,   Hospital   Corpsmen   are   tasked   with administering medication, performing treatments, and providing individual patient care in compliance with the  orders  of  the  senior  healthcare  provider.    In  the hospital   and   some   clinical   environments,   a   Nurse Corps  officer  divides  and  delegates  portions  of  the patient’s care to other members of the team based on the   skills   and   experiences   of   each   member. In situations where a Nurse Corps officer is not a member of the team, such delegation of duties will generally be made by an experienced chief petty officer or a senior petty officer of the Hospital Corps. ACCOUNTABILITY Regardless of rank, rate, or corps membership, all members of the healthcare team are held accountable for their performance. Being accountable means being held  responsible  for  your  actions.     As  a  healthcare provider,   you   should   continue   to   acquire   new knowledge   and   skills   and   to   strive   for   clinical competency. Equally important is your ability to apply new  knowledge  and  acquired  skills  as  a  competent professional in providing total healthcare. Accountability   becomes   a   critical   issue   when determining issues of malpractice. Malpractice occurs when an individual delivers improper care because of negligence   or   practicing   outside   of   his   area   of expertise. Because   the   areas   of   expertise   and responsibility  in  medicine  frequently  overlap,  legal limits   of   practice   are   defined   by   each   state. The assignments   and   responsibilities   of   Hospital Corpsmen frequently include areas of practice usually provided  by  physicians  and  nurses  in  the  civilian sector. These  responsibilities  are  only  legal  when Hospital  Corpsmen  are  performing  such  duties while  under  the  authority  of  the  United  States Government.   Because of this requirement, it is vital that you thoroughly understand your legal rights and limitations when providing patient care services both in government and civilian sectors. PATIENT ADVICE Another area that has potential medical and legal implications   regarding   your   role   as   a   healthcare provider  is  that  of  giving  advice  or  opinions.    As  a result of your frequent and close contact with patients, you will often be asked your opinion of the care or the proposed  care  a  patient  is  undergoing.    Often,  these questions   are   extremely   difficult   to   respond   to, regardless of who the healthcare provider is.  No one is ever totally prepared or has so much wisdom that he can respond spontaneously in such situations.  In such cases,  it  is  best  to  refer  the  question  to  the  nurse  or physician responsible for the patient’s care. You must always be conscious that you are seen as a representative of Navy medicine by the recipients of your care.   As such, you will be accorded the respect that goes with having a specialized body of knowledge and an inventory of unique skills.   A caduceus on the sleeve of the Hospital Corpsman marks that person as a member of a prestigious corps worthy of respect. PATIENT BEHAVIOR Remember, you have been charged to provide care to a total, feeling, human person.   The person seeking healthcare  service  has  the  same  needs  for  security, safety, love, respect, and self-fulfillment as everyone 2-3