So, you’ve settled on a career in healthcare, but you’re not sure where to begin. Don’t fret! Literally everyone has been in your shoes at some point. Fortunately, the following post will attempt to help you out by offering some sound healthcare career advice.
Let’s start with the basics!
Step 1: Check you have the correct skillset
It’s important that you conduct a self-assessment before you enter any field – particularly healthcare. This is the stage of the process that allows you to evaluate yourself and your abilities, to see if you’ll fit this career choice.
Let’s go over some of the core skills you’ll need in the healthcare industry:
Selflessness. You have to be able to put other people’s health before you own. Looking past all stereotypes and personalities and treating people equally is imperative.
Organization. There’s a lot of administrative work involved in healthcare, from finances to accounting. You have to make sure you’re organized enough to cope.
Management. You may have to manage a team of people, which means you must be decisive and thorough.
Aside from this, you just generally have to make sure that you’re passionate enough about the work. A career is for life, and you don’t want to be stuck doing something you hate. Get out there and chase something you love!
Step 2: Get qualified
The healthcare industry, given the delicacy of the work involved, is one sector that all but requires a degree. As such, you’ll need to perform well at both school and college, proving to employers you have what it takes.
Obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare could prove useful here, as would functional skills like Math and English. You need to have a solid foundation, but you also need industry-specific qualifications too. A mix of both will put you in the best possible position for success.
Step 3: Work experience
Work experience may even be part of your college course. If that’s the case, then great. If not, you should seek a placement. While you’re in college, build up as much work experience as possible – in any field. Everybody starts somewhere, and not one single person’s first job is in an industry they wish to pursue.
Once you have some general work experience under your belt, it’s time to target healthcare. At this stage, it’s unlikely you’ll land a role that’s considered high-end, so start from the bottom. For example, if you wanted to be a film director, then a job as a runner for a production company is a good place to start.
Find work in hospitals and clinics, behind the scenes. Perhaps an admin apprentice, or an assistant. Even if it’s not directly related to healthcare, working in the building you eventually want to graduate to is a good start. You can build connections this way.
Step 4: Job opportunities and options
So, you’re fully qualified, with some work experience under your belt. How does that translate to full-time employment? As always, you’ll need a killer CV and cover letter before you get started.
Start by using a job finder, and filter by apprenticeships in your area. You’re more likely to land an entry level role, after all. If you get an interview, make it count. Ask the employer about any future prospects too. You don’t want to be stuck behind a glass ceiling.
There are a number of sectors that would suit your qualifications. Public healthcare, healthcare administration and human resources, to name a few. Decide whether you wish to focus on the admin side of things or the health side. They’re two different areas. Having a fixed goal in mind will make things easier.
