| Stepping up the rungs of the healthcare career | | | | Decide what healthcare setting you’d like to |
| ladder begins with that crucial cornerstone: finding | | | | work in, whether it’s a HMO assisted living |
| your first job. Whether you’re a recent high | | | | facility, independent billing company, hospital, |
| school grad or a senior who’s exploring career | | | | physical therapy center, chiropractic office, retail |
| options, one out of every five jobs created from | | | | pharmacy, or physicians’ or dentist’s |
| now until 2014 will be in the healthcare field, | | | | office. Employment growth in healthcare is also |
| according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. | | | | not limited to traditional full-time jobs—the |
| This increasing demand for healthcare services | | | | American Hospital Association, for example, |
| means that with proper training from a top-notch | | | | reports a three percent increase in part-time |
| career college, you could be employed in an | | | | hospital employees. Part-time employment is |
| exciting healthcare setting after just 36 weeks of | | | | often a gateway into becoming hired as a |
| training. Whether it’s working directly with | | | | permanent full-time employee. |
| patients or being an integral administrative or | | | | Work for the experience |
| support member of a healthcare team, healthcare | | | | Even if a job isn’t exactly what you’re |
| is a lucrative and fast-growing profession. | | | | looking for, it may put you in contact with |
| Education drives success | | | | organizations or people who can help you in the |
| Exciting entry-level healthcare opportunities include | | | | future. For example, perhaps you’re offered |
| medical-dental receptionist or assistant; health | | | | a medical clinical assistant position that doesn’t |
| information specialist; pharmacy technician; or | | | | pay the salary you had hoped for. Don’t be |
| massage therapist. A key component to finding | | | | too quick to turn it down---sometimes the best |
| that first job in these fields means having the | | | | compensation is experience or access, and future |
| proper education—a local career college with | | | | employers look at any work experience as |
| specialized healthcare programs, like A.C.I. Career | | | | valuable, no matter whatthe pay. |
| College, is best. | | | | Refine your people skills |
| Look for quality coursework that consists of | | | | More high school students and recent graduates |
| lectures, hands-on laboratory sessions, and | | | | who are actively seeking work find their first job |
| externships for practical experience. Recent | | | | through networking connections than through any |
| technological developments should be incorporated | | | | other method, according to recent polls. Most |
| into the curriculum--preparation to become a | | | | employment comes through referrals from people |
| medical-dental administrative assistant, for | | | | you know, so spread the word that you’re |
| example, should include training in a variety of | | | | looking for a job. Your parents, former and |
| medical office software applications. | | | | current teachers, coaches, friends, and relatives |
| Preparing for the job market | | | | can all be a good resource. Be sure to also use |
| Jumpstart your job hunt—and land that first | | | | other informational resources, such as the |
| healthcare position—by talking with career | | | | internet, medical publications, associations, |
| counselors at the school where you completed | | | | directories, and job fairs. |
| your healthcare education. Ask them to provide | | | | When you do land those first interviews, dress |
| job leads, resume evaluation, interviewing advice | | | | appropriately, paying close attention to personal |
| and networking connections. Develop your | | | | hygiene and wearing business-like attire. Make |
| personal and professionals skills by: | | | | direct eye contact with the interviewer, ask |
| • Evaluating yourself: Examine your background | | | | questions, and give direct and concise answers. |
| to identify experiences and skills that may | | | | Lack of experience doesn’t necessarily doom |
| strengthen your application. Volunteer work; | | | | new grads and high school seniors. Be honest and |
| knowledge of other languages or cultures; travel; | | | | tell a prospective employer, “Yes, I am fresh |
| or educational specialties are all learning | | | | out of school, but I’m willing to learn if you will |
| experiences that can contribute to your value as | | | | give me a chance.” |
| a healthcare worker. | | | | Summary |
| • Know what you want: Understand and clarify | | | | You’re ready to dive into the healthcare |
| your goals and expectations for your first job. Is | | | | employment job market—all it takes is a little |
| location or geography important—do you want | | | | preparation and lots of confidence. Remember |
| to work in a small town or metropolitan area? | | | | that healthcare jobs and careers are the rising |
| Where do you want to be five or ten years from | | | | stars of the nation’s future employment |
| now? What path do you want your career to | | | | outlook, and employers need fresh, young talent |
| follow? | | | | just as much as you would like an opportunity to |
| • Understand the market: A large | | | | join this exciting, cutting-edge industry. As one |
| pharmaceutical company may offer scholarship | | | | recent healthcare graduate said, “I’ve |
| opportunities to continue your education, whereas | | | | always dreamed of helping people. I’m just |
| a small insurance company can offer a broad | | | | starting a career that offers a lifetime of |
| range of office management responsibilities. | | | | opportunities. |