5 Steps to Transitioning Into a Healthcare Career
Are you curious about transitioning into the healthcare field? Maybe you’ve always been passionate about helping others, and your current job is unfulfilling. Thankfully, there are abundant career opportunities in healthcare.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to develop a growth mindset and set yourself up for success while avoiding burnout as a healthcare worker, check out helpful resources from DocWorking! Furthermore, these tips will show you how to break into the healthcare industry, from starting medical school to become a physician, launching a business in this sector, or earning a degree in nursing.
Determine if You’re a Good Fit
First, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some essential qualities of great healthcare workers. Snelling Staffing Company states that healthcare professionals should be adaptable team players, skilled communicators, and demonstrate emotional stability and empathy. You should also be detail-oriented. Healthcare professionals are caregivers at heart, dedicated and hard working. It’s a commitment to caring for others to go into this line of work.
With this in mind, take some time to consider if you’re ready to work in this field or if you need to spend more time developing these specific skills. Working in healthcare can grant you job security, diverse opportunities, a steady paycheck, and stimulating, meaningful work.
Figure Out Which Job You Want
Next, think about which healthcare job you want. Each job will require different skills and certifications. You may want to become a physician, nurse, physician’s assistant, physical or occupational therapist, medical or clinical laboratory technician, or pursue a career in the pharmaceutical sector. If you’re interested in a particular job title, reach out to people who are already working in that role to ask about their experiences and see if you can shadow them for a day to see what the work is actually like. Try getting some work or volunteer experience that puts you in the medical work environment so you have a real understanding of what the work entails.
Get the Right Certifications
No matter which healthcare career path you want to pursue, you’ll need to earn the right certifications so that you’ll be eligible for these jobs. For example, if you want to become a registered nurse (RN), you’ll have to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can enroll in an online degree program to enjoy more flexibility in your studies. When you’re completing your coursework online, you’ll still have plenty of time for work and family responsibilities. As you research online degree programs, make sure whichever program you choose is accredited and offers reasonable tuition fees.
If nursing isn’t for you, lots of other certifications can open up other lucrative opportunities. You may want to consider getting certified as a medical billing and coding specialist, surgical technologist, radiology technologist, dental assistant, or cardiovascular technologist.
If medical school or PA school is your goal, chart your path and be sure to stay on track so that your application is stellar. Seek mentors who can advise you along the way.
Land Your First Job
Yes, any healthcare employer generally has a wide range of job openings at any given time – but how do you boost your chances of landing the right role in a short time frame? CompHealth recommends updating your resume, preparing for common interview questions, and following up after interviews. Working with a staffing agency can be extremely helpful if you’d like more support throughout your job search.
Launch Your Own Business
If you’ve just landed your first job in the healthcare industry, you might be interested in running your own company in this sector one day, but you’ll want to get some more experience under your belt before you consider entrepreneurship. After a few years of working in healthcare, you might be ready to launch your very own venture! If you want to launch a healthcare business, Fincyte recommends starting a diagnostic center, medical equipment store, working as a financial planner for physicians, or even opening a wellness center. Consider joining a Mastermind Group of similar minded entrepreneurs. Leverage the skills you’ve gained and be ready to learn from other entrepreneurs in this space.
Working in healthcare can be deeply rewarding. No matter your professional background, you’ve probably mastered a few skills that will serve you well in the healthcare field. With these tips, you’ll be able to navigate your path to a healthcare career.
Are you looking to find work-life balance or work-life integration as a medical professional, and to accelerate your path to success on your own terms? We’re here to help!
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(Photo via Pexels)
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Author Byline:
Patrick Young is an educator and activist. He believes people with disabilities must live within a unique set of circumstances–the outside world often either underestimates them or ignores their needs altogether. He created Able USA (ableusa.info) to offer helpful resources to people with disabilities and to provide advice on navigating various aspects of life as a person with disabilities.
