Communication Skills

As a CNT or PCA you are the backbone in the nursing field, you will need to be the eyes and ears of the Wade Nursing team. You are to report what you observe with your senses:

• Eyes - what you see
• Ears - what you hear
• Nose - what you smell
• Touch- what you feel

Some things to report to the office (see the examples below)

• a change in the physical condition of the client
• a change in the client's emotional or mental condition
• signs of injury, neglect or abuse
• a change in the home environment that may be dangerous to the client or a family member
• you do not understand a procedure or task
• problems or concerns with medications
• unsure on how to proceed with your assignment
• if a client or family members ask you to perform a task out of your scope of practice
• if you feel unsafe in the home or other living facility

LISTENING is one of the most important skills you can show the client and family members you can do with confidence, below are some listening skills to make you a better caregiver.

• concentrate, listening can be hard work at time
• take the time to listen
• be patient, let the speaker complete the message
• do not interrupt the person speaking to you
• if you do not understand something, do not pretend that you do
• observe body language
• listen to the speaker's tone of voice
• focus on what is being said
• show interest
• give the speaker your full attention
• listen to the speakers feeling
• ask questions as needed
• do not be afraid of silence
• do not finish a sentence that the speaker has started
• do not jump to conclusions
• be aware of your own thoughts and feelings
• listen with a open mind