So, you're thinking about a career in healthcare?
Good choice.
It's a broad field that's filled with lots of employment opportunities.
But, before you jump into a preparation program, you'll want to have a realistic picture of
what's involved.
To make an informed decision on a career that's right for you, you'll need to know the type
of tasks and challenges you'll experience in a particular job.
And, the type of knowledge and competencies an employer will expect you to possess.
You'll need to figure out whether you have the necessary prerequisites, how long it will
take to complete an educational program to prepare you for the career, and which licensure
and certification exams you'll have to pass.
You'll also want to consider the possibilities for career advancement and how the job might
differ depending on whether you're employed at the hospital, a clinic, a doctor's office,
or an extended care facility.
Your local community college provides preparation programs that will support you in pursuing
a healthcare profession.
In this video, we'll highlight nine of the fastest growing healthcare careers that you
might want to consider.
Many of these programs are offered online or with a combination of online and limited
face to face experiences.
So, they're designed to be more convenient for you.
The possibilities include: Phlebotomists, who specialize in drawing blood to collect
and transport quality samples; EKG technicians who perform electrocardiograms on patients.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistants are multi-skilled individuals competent in a variety
of clinical and laboratory procedures who work directly with patients under the supervision
of a registered nurse or doctor.
Emergency Medical Dispatchers, who answer calls for emergency medical services, determine
the appropriate level of response, and provide the caller with any necessary interim instructions
until help arrives.
Surgical Technicians who work as part of a team under the supervision of a surgeon or
registered nurse and help ensure that the operating environment is safe, that equipment
functions properly, and that the procedures are carried out under conditions that maximize
patient safety.
Medical Informatics Technicians who combine knowledge of information technology and healthcare
to manage and support healthcare record systems.
Occupational Therapy Assistants who work with patients to help them overcome physical, mental,
emotional, or developmental impairments.
Programs also exist to prepare you for management and supervisory positions in a variety of
allied healthcare careers.
And, if you're already a licensed practical nurse, you can take additional course work
and clinical training through a bridge program to become a registered nurse.
So, let's take a closer look at what's involved for each of these careers.
As you consider career options, be aware that many healthcare employers have strict hiring
guidelines with high standards.
When you work in healthcare, your actions directly impact the health and well-being
of others.
So, your personal habits and life choices count.
Background checks and drug tests are a regular part of the job application process.
And, personal grooming and appearance can impact patient health and comfort as well
as your own safety.
You'll want to be honest on all your applications and be sure that social media sites reflect
the type of professional image that you want an employer to consider.
I think the largest challenge for any healthcare professional are the constant changes.
And, it's not the changes that are the challenge; it's our mindset in regards to change.
If you have a hard time with change, healthcare might not be the field for you because that's
the one thing we know will continue happen.
And, as a consumer, I'm thankful that change is a constant in healthcare because I know
when I need healthcare services, they're going to be better than the services that my parents
got when they were my age because we're evolved into a much more sophisticated resource.
So, we're having to constantly change and shift gears to continue to do what we love
to do, to help people get better and return to their own lives.
We have to be more creative.
That's probably the biggest challenge.
And then, the challenge is just to make the decision to do it.
Other than that, it's all opportunity to me.
So, what type of healthcare career appeals to you?
Contact your local community college to find out more about these options as well as many
other health career programs that can help you get started on a new career today.