Clinical Skills Vs Technical Skills

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What is the differnce? I need to know for an application. Thanks!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Hmm - based on my frame of reference...

"Technical" skills are tasks - with a clearly defined 'right' way to perform them. Clinical skills, on the other hand, are those that require some degree of critical thinking (judgement based upon your own knowledge and experience). Easy example: BLS is a technical skill - there aren't any gray areas that require the application of advanced skills or knowledge. On the other hand, ACLS is a clinical skill - it requires an individual to analyze the situation and determine appropriate actions.

Does that help?

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Technical skills are, as stated by the above post, more defined skills. Clinical skills are oriented more for what decisions are based on. For example, flushing an NG tube is a technical skill, if the NG tube is clogged then a clinical skill is needed to determine how to unclog it and why did it become obstructed?? Do you try to reposition the tube, do you continue to flush until it becomes unclogged, or do you replace the tube altogether?? What will get the best results and be the best for the pt's needs? What should be done to prevent it from reoccurring?

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