Healthcare is one of the top five industries projected to grow in the next ten years. There are a wide range of specialties and training options in the healthcare field. Click on any website and you will probably get a pop up from an institute or college offering allied health certificates or degrees. Once you have the education, finding a healthcare based job in a down economy could still be a challenge. If you are considering a move into this field, or if you are already in it, there is some important information to include for your resume to best position you for that next job.
Healthcare isn’t all about the science
Even though healthcare has shifted into a big business, there are nuances to working in this field that are important to hiring managers. Scientific knowledge and understanding of the specialized field you have training in will be crucial, but the ability to interact with all of the players in the environment is equally valued. Candidates for positions in quality management will have different priorities than those in nursing positions but both may need to communicate with physicians, practice or hospital administration, and patients. Read the job description thoroughly to understand all of the skills needed for the position and be sure to include:
Education, Licenses, and Training
- Licensure recommended or required for the position with the date of expiration or receipt, whichever is relevant – if you were in OT (occupational therapy) before and are now an MA (medical assistant), noting your OT licensure will still be relevant since it shows your past experience in a different healthcare environment
- Details on training and education that is relevant to the position or generally accepted as valuable by the specialized field – note the name of the institution, location of training, and date the education or training was finalized
- Certifications and training received on the job from current or previous employers – especially if you are moving from one work environment to another such as a hospital to a private practice. Additional training could separate you from the competition and be viewed as a valuable asset for training their other office personnel in that area if applicable.
Healthcare jobs are a team sport
Whether you plan to work in an office, clinic, hospital, managed care organization or pharmacy, healthcare positions require the ability to be a team player. Your resume should have information about how you have communicated with other stakeholders in patient care and improved the results for the organization. If you have used problem-solving skills to assist people in other jobs, even outside of healthcare, these skills are also important to the healthcare field. Identifying ways to make processes better, collaborate more effectively, or provide support to the end user are all valuable to someone hiring in a healthcare organization.
Candidates completing an academic program should include as much information as possible about externships, clinicals, and shadowing to show the employer your experience working in the healthcare environment. Understanding the regulations and logistics of healthcare such as HIPAA and ICD-9 codes, and using acronyms for medical language in your specialty may be evaluated in the interview process. Use the appropriate keywords for your area in your resume to exhibit the knowledge you have for the workplace that makes you a candidate who can jump right in and contribute.
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- Quest Healthcare Solutions Brings Healthcare Staffing into the 21st Century (prweb.com)
- Best Jobs: Healthcare (money.usnews.com)
About Stacie Garlieb
