Soft skills are the people skills that help you do the job well beyond formal training. They dictate how you talk to patients, work with a team, solve problems under pressure, and stay organized. In healthcare, soft skills turn technical knowledge into safe, compassionate care. Employers notice them in interviews, on the unit, and during practicum.
1. Communication That is Clear and Kind
Great care starts with clear words and a calm tone. Use plain language, check that the patient understood, and avoid jargon when you can. Confirm identity before procedures, repeat key instructions, and keep chart notes short but complete. When your message is simple and respectful, errors drop and trust grows.
2. Empathy and Cultural Awareness
People arrive worried, tired, or in pain. Meet them where they are. Slow down, listen fully, and watch body language. Ask open questions and respect different customs or beliefs. A small act, such as explaining the next step or offering a warm blanket, can turn a hard moment into a manageable one.
3. Respectful Teamwork
Healthcare is a relay, not a solo race. Share updates, offer help when a coworker falls behind, and accept feedback without taking it personally. Respect every role—nurses, HCAs, MOAs, lab techs, pharmacists, porters, and cleaners all protect patients in different ways. Teams that communicate well keep care moving.
4. Time Management
A good shift has a plan and room for surprises. Prioritize safety tasks first, batch small jobs, and keep a short checklist you can scan at a glance. Arrive a few minutes early to set up supplies and review your patients. When priorities change, let your team know so nothing important is missed.
5. Be Reliable and Trustworthy
Consistency builds trust. Show up prepared, follow infection-prevention steps, and keep your area tidy. Protect privacy: share patient details only with those who need to know and only for care. When managers can count on you, opportunities follow.
6. Problem Solving without Panic
Things break, schedules shift, and patients need urgent help. Take a breath, assess the situation, act on the safest next step, then report what happened. Ask for support early if a task is beyond your scope. Problem solvers reduce risk and steady the whole unit.
7. Get Detail-Oriented
Correct labels, accurate vitals, and clean documentation matter every time. Read orders fully, double-check names and dates of birth, and speak up if something looks wrong. A careful second look can prevent a big mistake.
8. Stay Adaptable and Open to Learning
Policies, software, and workflows change. Treat each change as a skill to gain, not a barrier. Ask to practice new tasks, keep a short learning log, and take refreshers like BLS or privacy when needed. Curiosity makes you faster and more confident.
How To Build Soft Skills
These skills aren’t typically focused on in a course. Those are for the “hard skills”. To develop them, pick one skill to focus on this week and consider the tips below:
- Practice SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) or another structured handoff
- Role-play difficult conversations with a classmate
- Keep a checklist for your shift
- After each day, note one win and one skill to improve
- Ask your preceptor for feedback weekly
Ready to Grow All Your Healthcare Skills?
ABES programs combine hands-on training with practicum and coaching so you can build the soft skills employers want. Talk to an ABES Advisor today! We’ll help you choose the right program and create a plan to practice these skills before, during, and after school.