Reflection:
In the healthcare setting, patients are taken care of by a group of people called their care team. Each care team has various roles members ranging from physicians, physical therapists, to nursing assistants. I am lucky enough to be a part of such an important team as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). We work most closely with patients and are good advocates for those we care for. However, we are the lowest in the organizational hierarchy which often means our voices and suggestions tend to get overlooked. As a part of multiple care teams, I have learned the significance of different roles within the group and how each one benefits from the quality of care given. Each person’s position on the team is earned by their education and certification achievements. Not everyone is assigned to one patient so just those who are needed are required on the care team. Usually, those with higher seniority hold more power when it comes to leadership. That being said, some roles are respected less than others and valuable information may be lost. From what I have experienced, nurses and CNAs work closely and usually have respect in their relationships. However, I have worked with two different types of nurses, one that did honor their CNAs and one that did not. There was a big difference in the quality of work that was produced when the pair worked together on the more respectful side of the spectrum.
​
Communication is the biggest requirement for promoting patient safety and when one team member does not feel heard, crucial information can be lost or forgotten about. Dietary staff and PTs work more independently but require productive utility relationships with the CNAs and nursing to obtain the appropriate information. Physicians and other specialists tend to overlook the others in the care team and just benefit from receiving their notes and documented information about patients. This, I have learned, can be effective but can lead to miscommunication. Each role is important to the overall success of the group since each person is capable and responsible for completing different tasks. It is difficult to have a single leader in this type of group. Everyone needs to have input on the direction of the group, but seniority usually outranks the group for a decision. With proper communication and respect, leaders can be loosely established and keep the team satisfied and on track. However, some leadership needs to be established in case of conflict. I have had a job conflict with a peer over whose responsibility a task was, and the disagreement would not have been able to be settled without the authority of our supervisor. This is an example of when ranking becomes important. It is important that everyone on the care team understands their role and provides suggestions to the group because without everyone’s participation, leadership balance within a working group will be thrown, and opinions of quieter, smaller roles with be lost. I have learned what shared leadership traits are useful for the entire group to adopt and which are less beneficial. This role has helped me understand the importance of every individual role in my care teams and what makes them more effective. This reflection allows me to satisfy Teams Level Three.
​