Safety message: Professionalism at work helps maintain a safe environment

Professionalism in healthcare helps maintain a safe environment. The way staff communicate, make decisions, and treat others can prevent errors and reduce risks. A professional attitude supports patient safety, teamwork, and trust across all levels of care.

Professional behavior in the workplace is a combination of attitude, appearance and manners. It includes the way you speak, look, act and make decisions. The main principles of professional work behavior include:

• Treating your managers, colleagues and clients with respect
• Projecting a positive attitude
• Being polite
• Showing good judgment
• Being ethical
• Dressing appropriately

Employees who show professionalism at work are often productive, perform at a high level and are considered for leadership roles. Colleagues and clients enjoy working with them and patients benefit from their behaviors.