Health Care Job Advice and Resources
Is a Health Care Job for You?
Health care jobs are multiplying at a rapid rate, in part due to the increasing age of the U.S. population. As baby boomers age, they often need more medical care, and medical care facilities are popping up in new locations all over the country to meet the need. Health care jobs are harder to find in certain places, like larger cities and the surrounding suburbs. Many health care jobs in these popular areas are already filled, but many health care jobs are open in more rural areas, where health care facilities continue to try to recruit qualified health care workers. Yet many people wonder whether working in a health care job is for them. Here are a few ways to tell if working in the health care industry is for you.
- You like People. This may seem like an obvious clue, but some people never take the time to consider whether they are “people-people.” Think about whether you like talking to other people about their problems. Do you feel the urge to help others who find themselves in unfortunate situations? If you answered yes to these questions, you may enjoy a health care job.
- You Don’t Mind the Sight of Blood. Though this quality is more of a cliché, it is important that health care workers be comfortable with other bodies and seeing them at their worst. Few healthy people go to the doctor! To evaluate whether you can handle medical emergencies and maintain your composure, think about times in your life when people around you have been hurt or sick. How did you respond? If you tried to help them or offered what comfort you could, a health care job may be right for you.
- You Want a Second Career. Many people find that as they advance in their careers and specific industries, they find challenges they did not expect. For example, certain industries are not growing at the rate employees expected when they began careers. Many people who have been laid off or have little job security find themselves wanting to find a better job mid-career. With the boom in the health care industry, a health care job is an attractive option.
- You Want to Work Part Time. There are many health care jobs that can be part time positions for people who prefer that option. Many parents who want to spend more time at home with their children love the option of working part time. Many health care workers, such as nurses, medical assistants and home health aides, are able to work part time or flexible schedules. When searching for part time jobs, consider a health care job. The schedules may be more flexible since health care is an all day, all year industry.
- You Want to Build Your Resume. As the health care industry continues to grow with the advancing age of many baby boomers, companies in related industries are looking for people with health care experience. If you eventually want to move into management or pharmaceutical sales, for example, having experience with a health care job could help to get you there. Research which health care jobs could increase your employment potential in other industries and levels of experience.