As a certified home health aide, you must ensure your patients feel supported and comfortable every day. One of the best ways to do this is by focusing on your bedside manner, which refers to how you connect with patients and establish a trusting relationship. Since this skill is not typically taught as part of a formal education, it’s important to keep the following considerations in mind and stay sensitive and sympathetic to those you care for. 

5 Tips to Achieve Great Bedside Manner

1. Put Them at Ease During Your Introductions 

A good first impression is invaluable, especially in a health care setting. The patients you deal with usually feel vulnerable, so try to put them at ease. When you first introduce yourself as a certified home health aide, maintain good eye contact and greet them with a warm smile.

2. Set Expectations

Once you’ve introduced yourself, explain your role in their overall care. This allows you to define expectations before any issues arise. Inviting your patient to sit down during this initial conversation is also a great way to show respect and begin establishing a respectful connection.

3. Establish Open Communication

After you’ve laid out your role and plan of care, open the floor to your patient to ask questions and express any concerns they might have. Listen to everything they have to say without cutting them off. You’ll establish yourself as a good and caring listener, which is critical to engendering trust.

4. Pose Open-Ended Questions.

If your patient is shy or seems uncomfortable opening up to you, ask open-ended questions to draw them out of their shell. Avoid asking anything that may elicit a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. Rather, the goal is to spark a conversation. The method often makes people feel understood and satisfied that they had the opportunity to share their feelings and point of view.

5. Be Empathetic.

Perhaps the most important trait of any caregiver is empathy. As such, it is crucial for a certified home health aide to demonstrate they genuinely care about their patients. If you must relay negative news, consider how they must be feeling and offer reassurance. Remain positive and show that you are here to support their needs and address their concerns.

Interested in starting your career as a certified home health aide? The team at Big Apple Training can help you achieve your career goals. They have been providing high-quality instruction for over 20 years and have two NYS Department of Education-approved Allied Health training centers, located in the Bronx and White Plains. To learn more, contact them today at (914) 437-7373 or visit their website for a complete list of upcoming classes.