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Deciding on Healthcare as a Career: Part I

    The process of choosing a career can be an exciting opportunity to get to know ourselves better, set goals and begin a new life path.  Since most of us need to work throughout our adult lives, it’s important to choose a career where we can learn and grow professionally.  Staying in the same field over the years allows us to take on different responsibilities and gain more experience, to better ourselves personally and financially.  For those who work in healthcare, there is a great sense of satisfaction helping patients and their families cope with anything from a short term illness to caring for those who need help the rest of their lives. 

    If you’re unsure whether or not healthcare is the right field for you, there are a few ways to do some research.  Talk with friends, neighbors or people who work in your own physician’s office.  What kind of education does their position require?  Do they find the patients challenging?  What do they like about the facility in which they work?  Volunteer just a few hours a week or month at a clinic, hospital or hospice.  Anything from visiting patients, delivering lab work results, running charts or administrative duties can give you a sense of the environment and the types of people who use the facility.  You may be able to ask a department manager if s/he can discuss what types of employees are hired and what they do.  If your time is too limited to volunteer, surf the websites of your local community health centers, hospitals and the department of public health.  If you’re not sure of what is available in your area, just type in “health care services in (your city or town)” and see what pops up.  You will be able to find out what services they offer, and their employment opportunities.  What education, training, certification or experience do they require? 

    Part of your research should include the salary you can expect for a specific position.  When considering a career, you should know what your income needs to be to pay your household expenses, taking into consideration paying student loans, even if you have had some financial assistance.  What is the minimum and maximum range of the position?  It can be very difficult not receiving a raise because you’ve “maxed out,” but your household bills continue to increase annually.  Always consider the possibility of having to be re-certified or re-trained as the job market changes.  It will keep you marketable and help your earning potential. 

             Look for Part II with more recommendations later this week!

Posted by: Laura Wagner