APS Education List of Professional Skills for Physiologists and Tranees

Good communication skills are required regardless of what career path is chosen, scientific or not. Every person needs to know how to express him/herself in speaking and writing. Whether presenting a symposium, coaching an employee, being interviewed for a job, or simply talking with a neighbor or colleague, being able to communicate clearly is critical. Being able to express ideas clearly and succinctly in writing also is essential whether it is in a grant proposal, job application cover letter, or letter to the editor. The researcher, for example, may have made a landmark discovery, but the work never "speaks for itself." It requires good written and oral communication skills to share findings with the wider scientific community. As with most skills, communication skills develop through practice. Communication skills are the hallmark of professionals in all fields, including all areas of physiology.

Major Skills		A Trainee will understand the importance of and work to develop.

A. Interviewing (Interviewee)		Skill in preparing for diverse types of interviews Knowledge of how to conduct oneself at interviews Knowledge of appropriate post-interview actions

B. Presentations

Ability to organize ideas in a useful fashion
Ability to use graphics effectively to communicate ideas
Knowledge of how to develop poster presentations
Knowledge of how to develop various types of oral presentations
Ability to convey complex information in appropriate fashion to audiences with different levels of physiology knowledge
Ability to speak before large and small groups
ability to assess audience response to determine how will ideas are being conveyed
Ability to make persuasive arguments in oral presentations
Ability to handle audience questions
Ability to speak clearly in English

C. Technical writing

Ability to organize ideas in a useful fashion
Ability to write logical instructions
Ability to write at all levels: brief abstracts to book-length manuscripts
Ability to use graphics effectively to communicate ideas
Ability to revise one's own work to make a document or presentation clearer or more persuasive
Ability to edit and proofread
Knowledge of publication process for scientific journals and other publications
Ability to cite and critically analyze the scientific literature in written work
Ability to convey complex information in appropriate fashion to audiences with different levels of physiology knowledge

D. Grant writing

Knowledge of how to identify various funding sources
Knowledge of types of grants and different approaches to writing them
Ability to develop clear and testable hypothesis, objectives, and research plan
Proficiency in developing grant budgets
Knowledge of grant review processes
ability to use scientific literature effectively in writing grant proposals

E. Peer review

Ability to give and receive appropriate constructive criticism in writing and evaluating manuscripts and other types of writings
Ability to give and receive appropriate constructive criticism in giving and evaluating oral and poster presentations
Ability to give and receive appropriate constructive criticism in writing and evaluating grant applications

For questions or comments, please contact:
APS Education Office
301-634-7132