Communication Skills

The IFSS Basic Level Communications Skills course provides introductory knowledge, skills, and abilities related to effective communication in the regulatory field.

• Goal: Participants will be able to recognize the skills required for an effective communicator in the regulatory field.

• Scope: Topics in this course include Foundations, Skills, Situational Awareness, and Policies.

Course Objectives

Foundations

• Recognize communication techniques.

• Identify the situations in which various communication techniques would be effective.

• Identify agency communication policy.

• Recognize interactions with the intended audience.

Skills

• Recognize effective written communication.

• Recognize effective interviewing skills.

• Recognize the importance of active listening. 

• Recognize the importance of feedback. 

• Identify non-verbal communication.

• Identify techniques for communicating technical information.

• Recognize signs of communication break-down

Situational Awareness 

• Recall the importance of situational awareness.

• Identify non-verbal communication behaviors.

• Identify how cultural differences can challenge communication.

• Recognize threatening situations.

Policies

• Recognize agency policies on professional behavior.

• Recognize agency policy for presenting credentials and forms.

• Recognize agency media policy.

• Define the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

• Identify limitations to communicating with other governmental agencies.

Duration

Unit 1: Foundations – 30 minutes 

Unit 2: Skills – 30 minutes

Unit 3: Situational Awareness – 30 minutes

Unit 4: Policies– 30 minutes

Total Course time – 2 hours