Healthcare Career Search Resolutions

For many years, I’ve been asked, “How do I break into healthcare?” Here are four potential resolutions for your healthcare career search:

1)      If you are seeking out an initial career in healthcare, consider becoming a nurse or other clinical provider! Even if your long term career goals include aspirations such as healthcare administration, to fully understand healthcare, one must understand what happens on the hospital and clinic floors. Having a background in patient care delivery gives healthcare job seekers a leg-up without fail in many areas such as Healthcare IT and Operations/Administration. Also, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth of nursing jobs over the next eight years will be 26% which is by far higher than the average growth rate of 14%. Not only will you garner a robust understanding of healthcare and help your fellow man, your job prospects will look great as well.

2)      Consider more education. Due to a predicted shortage of healthcare workers by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the availability of retraining and certificate programs have dramatically increased over the past few years. These training programs encompass both clinical and IT programs and many of them are online as well. One could essentially retrain him or herself without quitting a current job.

3)      Get on LinkedIn! If you are not a member of LinkedIn, open an account today as you are already behind the times. LinkedIn reports that in 2013 there are 225 million users on the professional networking site. The majority of recruiters utilize LinkedIn as their main recruitment tool so if a job seeker is not prominently displayed on LinkedIn, recruiters are passing you by. Where are the recruiters? On LinkedIn.

4)      Consider a consulting firm. Many hospitals utilize consulting firms especially for Revenue Cycle work. If the business of healthcare operations, bed turnover, and charge capture get you excited, think about joining a consulting firm. Many of the largest firms in the country have entire practices dedicated to healthcare work. Revenue Cycle is also a constantly evolving field with the advent of healthcare reform, Accountable Care Organizations, Medicare/Medicaid changes, etc.; this area will offer much job and opportunity.

About the author

Cassie Sturdevant

Cassie Sturdevant is a Senior Recruiter for Impact Advisors, a healthcare IT strategic and implementation services consulting firm just named 2013 Best in KLAS for Overall Services. She specializes in humor and follow up.

   

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