4 Healthcare Careers: Which One Should You Choose? Healthcare is an extensive field catering to all aspects of your health. Medical professionals in a hospital or a clinic provide the best care to their patients, helping them fight their illnesses. The compassionate and caring mature of doctors and nurses help the already traumatized patients who are uncertain about their health and wellbeing. There are many reasons people prefer healthcare; one is already mentioned above. People also adopt this career due to their intrinsic motivation to help others, do some significant work and make a change in the lives of others.
As the population gets older overall, their need for healthcare services is also increasing. With the better patient care services and availability of treatments, patients are also living longer in general. So, the need for medical help is required for a longer period now. But not all people excel in a career they choose. The appropriate fit between the person and the job can immensely increase an individual’s success in a particular job.
There is no dearth of demand for talented and competent people in healthcare. The recent estimates of BLS suggest that employment in healthcare is expected to grow by 16% from 2020 to 2030. It is much faster than the average industry. When entering this career formally, the matter of the person-to-job fit remains there too.
Is Healthcare Right For You?
Healthcare is full of opportunities, but you have to understand if it is the right career for you. Ensuring the right education, skills, and aptitude for it is a must for a career in healthcare. For instance, a public health professional wanting to expand their career in a more scientific and methodological approach may enroll in an industrial hygiene master’s online or on-campus program to be fit for the job. Similarly, research aptitude and a need to develop a safe working environment for their fellow workers are also underlying factors motivating them for this career. Industrial hygiene experts can create a healthy and hazard-free work environment for the healthcare professionals, patients, and others visiting the facility.
One way of confirming the right fit is getting knowledge about the careers before entering them. You must learn about the personal traits of the professionals who excelled in a particular career and the skills and the qualifications needed for it. Here are some examples of careers that you can consider depending on your personality and skills.
- Hospital nurse
This is one of the most extensively adopted careers in healthcare. You can start your career with a simple nursing diploma to be a nurse. However, educational requirements for a nurse are increasing with time as patient care needs become more complex and demanding. Today, most hospitals demand their nurses to have at least a BSN degree and get an RN certification to work as professional nurses.
Nurses care for their patients, administer medication, and help them eat, bathe, and recover from their illnesses. Advanced level nurses also diagnose, treat patients, and prescribe medications. They also ensure that all the patient care is conducted within the set policies and standards established by the healthcare in general and care facility in specific.
Nursing is the most suitable career for people with extroverted personalities who like to engage and remain surrounded by people. Empathy is also essential for everyone wanting to be a nurse. You must also be ready to wear various hats at different times. At one time, you might be a part of bedside care providers, while at the other moment, you might be helping others nurses at the front desk.
- Phlebotomists
These professionals are tasked with drawing blood out from the patients for routine check-ups and tests, donating blood for a cause, or blood transfusion. A common work setting for a phlebotomist is a hospital where they work as part of an extended unit. They might also be working in the laboratory, blood banks, blood donation centers, etc. If you are looking for a full-time job, you may consider this opportunity.
Given the importance of their job in any healthcare setting, the job outlook for this career is positive for the next decade standing at 22%, which is much faster than the industry average. The job of Phlebotomists is not for weaker hearts. You must be ready to see blood all the time. At the same time, skills needed to excel in this career include dexterity, a caring heart for others, strong eye coordination, and attention to detail, among others. If you think you live up to these requirements, don’t hesitate to kick start your career.
- Pharmacy Technicians
Another popular healthcare career is the job of a pharmacy technician. The job of a pharmacy technician is indispensable for a pharmacy. Medical professionals and patients need their help to fill prescriptions and get the required medication. These technicians work in the pharmacies as full-time workers. The pharmacies could be located in big grocery stores, shopping malls, hospitals, and drug stores. If you can pay attention to details, possess basic math skills, communicate effectively with various people, and have organizational skills, considering this job might be what you need to develop your career.
- Health Information Technicians
The doctors’ and medical professionals’ ability to make accurate medical decisions hinges on the obtainability of organized and easily accessible data. Professionals from all levels in healthcare need this data to order tests, prescribe medications, and heal their patients. People tasked with this important job of keeping the bulk of data organized are called Health Information Technicians. They keep the important data updated and in an accessible manner. Often, these people work full-time and may be employed in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, or doctor’s offices. The job outlook as forecasted by BLS is 9% for 2020 to 2030, implying that there is no dearth of opportunities for people wanting to enter the field.
There are more healthcare careers than the doctors you see for your routine check-up or a procedure. Many people are working behind the scene, ensuring you get the best treatment and recover in the shortest possible time. These people excel in their jobs because of the specific traits they possess. Whenever you choose a healthcare career, you must ensure that you have the personality and the skills needed to perform your job effectively.
