Characteristics Of A Human Services Worker

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When it comes to working in the human service field, there are many characteristics and skills that are essential for a person to possess. While many of the characteristics are generally a product of ones upbringing, skills may have to be learned and refined over time. It is important for a person working in this field to be true and honest with themselves about these particular traits because they can ultimately determine the success of your career. A few of the characteristics that seem to hold the utmost importance are communication, patience, and empathy. In this paper we will consider why these traits are so important to the human service field and how a person can refine some of the skills needed to possess these particular characteristics. Communication may be one of the most important characteristic of the three mentioned above. There are many people that have a hard time with communication. Whether it is public speaking, tone of voice, finding the right things to say at the right time, or simply having difficulty speaking with others, are all things a person may come across when working in human services (France, 2006). In the field of human services; communication is everything. Written communication, gestures, visual cues and speaking itself are all ways that human service workers need to be able to relate to patients and clients. Allowing yourself to become skilled at all types of communication will better help you, the human service worker, deal effectively with whomever it is you are working with. Communication is more than just speaking with someone. Many clients will have a hard time talking about issues and you may have to be able to look at their face or their eyes to see what it is they are trying to tell you. Other clients may have a sarcastic tone and a worker will then have to be able to determine what they are really trying to get across.

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