When you work in healthcare, you need a vast knowledge of medicine, biology, anatomy, physiology, and more. You also need a lot of technical skills. But beyond all of that, there’s another kind of skill that healthcare professionals should have: soft skills. These are the less tangible but critically important things that really set the all-stars apart.

Here are five soft skills that will help any healthcare professional be their very best:

Empathy

Healthcare professionals should have empathy for the people under their care. That’s different than sympathy, which is simply feeling sorry for someone. Empathy goes beyond that—it means putting yourself in the patient’s shoes, trying to understand what they are feeling and what their concerns are. This makes you that much more effective because you can imagine what kind of care and treatment you would want if you were in the patient’s position.

Problem-Solving Skills

If there’s one thing a healthcare professional does on a daily basis, it’s solve problems. The ability to think critically and analyze all possible solutions to any given issue is a must-have. If you freeze up when a problem arises, lives could be on the line. You need to be able to think through solutions quickly to choose the best option.

Communication

Communication with patients, their family members, your fellow nursing professionals, supervisors... There are all kinds of communication that must happen during every shift. Verbal communication is important, of course, but keep in mind that written communication in the form of notes and records is just as vital. Getting this information communicated clearly can be the difference between a successful patient outcome and a failure.

Multitasking Ability

As a healthcare professional, you’ll often be required to do multiple things at once. Juggling multiple patient responsibilities, various workflows, new training initiatives... the list goes on. Managing multiple responsibilities without losing your cool is a necessary trait that healthcare professionals need. It’s also a great help to your coworkers.

Adaptability

If you work in the medical field, you know that things can change at a moment’s notice. You need to be flexible and adaptable in order to roll with the punches. Getting frustrated or upset simply isn’t an option in many healthcare settings—you must be able to adapt quickly and move on.

Put Your Soft Skills To Good Use

Are you a medical professional looking for your next great opportunity? 24/7 MedStaff can help you find it. Contact a member of our recruitment team today and browse available openings on our Job Board.