Are you considering a healthcare career after your graduation?
A fulfilling experience, possibly high-paying income, work stability, and the fact that healthcare professions are now in great demand are just a few of the advantages of this type of career. Based on your qualifications, training, and field of interest, there are several ways to enter the healthcare sector.
We have created a guide to show you how to start a career in the healthcare business, regardless of whether you’ve always wanted to work in healthcare or want to switch from an area like hospitality or retail.
1. Education
Opportunities are accessible for almost any level of schooling in the healthcare industry since there are so many different types of occupations. Many positions simply need a high school diploma and involve on-the-job training, such as medical transcribers, orderlies, or pharmacy technicians. Short courses and certificates for things like CPR or ACLS may occasionally be offered by the firm or encouraged for workers to pursue independently. You can also finish those courses online, which are made to be practical and, as the folks at United Medical Education point out, include helpful illustrated training and bullet-point flow charts that make learning faster. A diploma from a trade or technical institution is often necessary for other jobs, such as EMTs, dental hygienists, occupational therapy assistants, or phlebotomy technicians. Although many students continue to have entry-level healthcare jobs while attending school, these programs sometimes need a year to 18 months to finish.
A two-year advanced diploma from a community or technical school is the next educational requirement for a profession in healthcare. These degrees normally take two years to complete and are necessary for jobs such as those of physical therapist assistants, medical technicians, clinical lab technicians, or physical therapist assistants.
Don’t think that you have to restrict your search for work to the healthcare industry alone, even if healthcare education enables you to be highly precise in your expertise. If you have radiology certification, you can apply for different occupations that nonetheless require your understanding of general healthcare. You can easily enhance your opportunities and expand your skills through specialized courses, such as NJ ACL courses, which can further enhance your qualifications and open doors to new career paths. Any extra course you can do, be that in your spare time or alongside any current learning you are doing, can provide valuable training that is applicable in various healthcare and emergency response roles, broadening your job prospects and career options.
2. Licensure Requirements
In the healthcare industry, licensure requirements vary by profession and state. Some jobs, like Medical Assistants, may require certification but not licensure, while others, like Licensed Practical Nurses, require both education and licensure. Understanding the specific licensure requirements for your desired career is crucial to ensure you meet the necessary qualifications.
Research the licensure requirements for your chosen profession and state. Check with your state’s licensing authority or professional organization for specific details. Some common licensure requirements include passing a certification exam, completing continuing education credits, and meeting specific education or training requirements. Staying informed about licensure requirements will help you navigate your career path and avoid any potential roadblocks.
How to Decide
There are a large number of those who are ready to make a change but do not know in which direction to go and need help in choosing a new career. Explore what the most popular job postings offer to see which healthcare occupation is suitable for you, and discover all the job types you can apply for with a simple search. This will give you a realistic view of the current situation and allow you to see the required qualifications for a particular type of job.
Based on that, you can also choose several employers who are actively looking for associates or new employees due to the expansion of their scope of work, which means that the company is doing business successfully and always welcomes new people to the team.
Experience and Required Skills
Anything you add to your resume will make you more attractive to an employer and set you apart from your competition. Knowing the basics of computer work and the English language is now taken for granted, and it is necessary to find additional things to include in your resume.
Knowledge of the devices used in that field, work on projects and competitions, experience in cooperation with state institutions, and volunteering for improvement represent a small step forward from the usual items that most candidates list. These are exactly the things that can show that you are always ready to help, learn, receive new knowledge, and try new fields.
Of course, your future employer will be able to train you on how to use the specific software they might use, like this Electronic Medical Record, but a basic working knowledge of the sort of software you might come across could be useful when it comes to demonstrating your knowledge of the industry in interviews.
Networking
Like in any other sector, your network may play a significant role in getting a job in the healthcare sector. Join organizations for local prospective medical professionals, plan a job shadowing experience, or get in touch with schoolmates or friends who may be willing to put you in touch with people. The key to putting yourself up for a successful career is getting your foot in the door via networking.
The Top Healthcare Jobs
Almost all occupations in the healthcare industry are in great demand. However, some have more opportunities than others — think home health aide jobs in Pennsylvania or medical transcriptionist jobs in California. Listed below are the five major healthcare professions according to the number of openings in the country.
- Medical Assistant
- Home Health Aide
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Licensed Practical Nurse
There is a lot of possibility for expansion in the flourishing healthcare sector, which offers a range of experiences for all types of employees. Your initial position in the medical industry may serve as a launching pad for your future career in the healthcare system. We hope that this guide was helpful to you and that you will enjoy working in the healthcare industry.
