Four Ways To Do Your Part: What Is Your Careproviding Profile?

Did you know that you play more than one role in your client's care? Whether you're acting as a bridge, an advocate, or even an understanding ear, much of what you do goes beyond the clinical. Let's take a look at the top roles and responsibilities for audiologists and speech-language pathologists: Which type of careprovider are you? Or are you a combination of them all?

SELF-AWARE PROFESSIONAL

  • Recognizes that their own beliefs and biases influence interaction
  • Uses cultural competence check-ins to examine their practices for equity and their materials for inclusivity
  • Ensures that multiple response options are reflected in response fields on their forms to reflect the diversity of their clientele

INSIGHTFUL DETECTIVE

  • Considers the impact of assimilation and acculturation on communication patterns
  • Develops appropriate intervention and assessment strategies relevant to the client
  • Seeks additional resources to develop cultural responsiveness via continuing education, networking with community members, to fill gaps in knowledge
  • Identifies professionals to collaborate with across disciplines to promote better outcomes for clients/patients/students

MENTOR AND MODELER

  • Shows respect for an individual regardless of factors/variables such as age; disability; ethnicity; gender; gender expression; gender identity, national/regional origin (including culture, language, dialect, and accent); race; religion; sex; sexual orientation; and veteran status
  • Promote language and communication access
  • Educates colleagues regarding the impact of legislation on quality of care
  • Uses active listening while remaining aware of variances in nonverbal communication, such as eye gaze, proximity, and use of touch.
  • Provides clinically appropriate, ethically responsible services

PROACTIVE PLANNER

  • Demonstrates person-centered care by doing their homework, and treats each individual based on their unique needs
  • Doesn't anticipate certain outcomes on the basis of stereotypes or generalizations
  • Fosters relationships with other service providers, including using a cultural informant or broker
  • Ensures that information presented during counseling is health literate
  • Seeks funding sources for (and engages in) ongoing professional development of cultural responsiveness throughout their career

All types of careproviding clinicians are responsible for delivering competent services—including cultural responsiveness during all clinical interactions. Learn more now about your specific roles and responsibilities.

How Can You Help?