What is my professional identity? To answer this question, I will provide some organizational context, define “professional identity” and briefly discuss my role in Alberta’s healthcare system, my professional association and values, and my social media presence.
I am currently employed as an Executive Office/Public Health Inspector (PHI) with Alberta Health Services (AHS). AHS is a “provincewide, fully-integrated health system”, founded in May 2008 by amalgamating nine Regional Health Authorities and three Agencies in Alberta (Alberta Health Services [AHS], 2020). Since then, AHS continues to evolve to achieve its mission of providing “a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans” (AHS, 2020).
"AHS is a provincewide, fully-integrated health system”
It is critical to maintain a positive professional identity, especially in a changing environment. According to Chreim et al. (2007, p. 1515) professional identity is “an individual’s self-definition as a member of a profession”. As a PHI, I am involved in delivering "support and allied health services" through AHS’ community-based Environmental Health Program (AHS, 2020). These services include inspecting public places (child/adult care facilities, rental dwellings, food establishments, pools, etc.) to ensure compliance with the Public Health Act and Regulations; investigating complaints and suspected food-borne illness incidents; educating the public on environmental health issues, and other health promotion activities.
"professional identity is an individual’s self-definition as a member of a profession”
My role routinely interfaces with various professions. These interactions include:
Collaborating with Public Health Nurses and Physicians to prevent, investigate, control, and manage gastrointestinal disease outbreaks.
Consulting/conducting joint inspections of rental dwellings with municipal Safety Codes Officers.
Collaborating with Public Health Veterinarians and/or Municipal By-Law Officers as part of Animal Exposure Investigations to assess rabies risk.
Stakeholder interactions are generally seamless because of the established standards, guidelines, and protocols for discharging my duties, and the strong working relationships developed over time.
I am a member of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI), which unites, represents and certifies Environmental Public Health Professionals in Canada (Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors [CIPHI], 2020). CIPHI also engages in education, Environmental Health advocacy, and ensures that all members adhere to a the CIPHI Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics consists of seven fundamental principles, including justice, accountability, inclusion, and evidence-informed decision-making (CIPHI, 2017). CIPHI members are required to maintain professional competencies through the Continuing Professional Competencies Program (CIPHI, 2020).
"interacting respectfully and discharging my duties with honesty and integrity"
My professional values align with my professional group and the AHS values of compassion, accountability, respect, excellence, and safety - AHS CARES (AHS, 2020). Watch this brief infographic video from AHS to learn more about AHS CARES. I take responsibility for my actions as I practice within my scope, and within applicable standards and legislation. I also develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders by interacting respectfully and discharging my duties with honesty and integrity. My value for safety drives my active contributions as a member of my department “Workplace Health and Safety/Wellness Committee”.
In this digital age, it is critical that my social media presence reflects my personal and professional identities. I use WhatsApp and Facebook for personal purposes, and LinkedIn and Twitter for professional purposes. As part of this reflection process, I conducted a social media audit, by searching my name on the internet and reviewing my last ten Facebook posts. These searches did not produce any unexpected results - most results were related to my professional role, and a few were related to a family member. My last 10 Facebook posts include both professional and personal posts. They reflect the Environmental Health field, my volunteer/community interests and limited personal information – the way I want the world to see me.
"I am a seasoned/skilled Environmental Health Professional"
With my reflection complete, I will conclude by answering the question posed in my introduction. My professional identity is as follows: I am a seasoned/skilled Environmental Health Professional, a proud member of CIPHI with strong connections to other EHP, and a valued employee of AHS. I also consider my role of protecting and promoting public health as vital to the achievement of AHS’ mission of quality healthcare for Albertans (AHS, 2020). My goal is to refine my social media presence, to better reflect this identity.
References
Alberta Health Services. (2020). About AHS.
Alberta Health Services. (2020). Community Health Centres.
Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. (2020). CIPHI. https://www.ciphi.ca/
Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. (2017). Canadian Institute of Public Health
Inspectors Code of Ethics. http://www.ciphi.ca/pdf/codeofethics.pdf
Chreim, S., Williams, B. B., & Hinings, C. B. (2007). Interlevel influences on the
reconstruction of professional role identity. Academy of Management Journal, 50(6),
1515–1539. doi:10.5465/AMJ.2007.28226248
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