Identifying Career Prospects in Healthcare

An aging baby boomer population, the growing popularity of alternative medicine, and evolving pharmaceutical and technological developments are key trends driving attractive employment prospects in healthcare. People considering healthcare careers have many avenues through which to learn about growing segments, obtain required credentials through PALS training or ACLS training, identify available local positions, and engage with professionals in the industry.

The following strategies will help you identify career information and build career contacts (your “network”) that will help you grow your career opportunities:

Consult the Occupational Outlook Handbook

Compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Occupational Outlook Handbook is an annual reference resource about all occupations, including those in the healthcare industry. The Occupational Outlook Handbook outlines what activities various healthcare jobs entail, the education, training and credentials necessary, expected earnings, and job prospects in the field. The Handbook offers job search tips and links to information about the job market in each state.

Contact or Join Relevant Professional Organizations

Professional organizations are a great way to learn about new careers. Membership in professional associations carries many perks, including the ability to learn about job responsibilities and identify available positions by city and state. Perhaps most importantly, professional association membership gives you opportunities to engage with those currently working in the field. It’s an excellent way to find out the pros and cons of specific positions and the future of various areas of healthcare. And of course the networking will pay off when you are ready to make a change.

Review Online Healthcare Job Resources

It’s the digital age, and the Internet is ripe with resources for those considering careers in healthcare. These sites generally offer career information and education, training and certification resources (PALS training and ACLS training are common requisite certifications for many positions in the healthcare field), and publications and articles detailing trends in healthcare. One example, HealthCallings.com has emerged as a premier resource among those considering jobs in the healthcare space, and includes more than 500 available job specialties across the industry. In addition to learning resources, the site connects highly-qualified healthcare professionals with hiring managers and recruiters by offering jobseekers the opportunity to find and apply for jobs directly through the site.

Talk to Someone in the Field

While the Internet can offer insight into various healthcare occupations through industry news, job satisfaction data, or trending reports on hiring, the best resources to learn more out about jobs in healthcare are often those people who currently serve in health-related positions. Conversations—whether in-person or via email or online chat—can yield new or different perspectives and valuable considerations “from the trenches” for someone evaluating the attractiveness of a career in healthcare. These networking opportunities also may sometimes function as an informal resource for finding and applying for available jobs.

Once you’ve decided to pursue a career in a different area of healthcare, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the required education and training credentials to become a viable candidate for employment. These credentials generally entail PALS training for those working with children, or ACLS training for those working with adult patients. Even if you don’t need them in your current job, you’ll want to get them before applying for positions where they’re part of the job requirements. You don’t want your resume passed over in favor of someone who planned ahead and has the certifications to prove it.