How to Have a Successful Healthcare Career

If you want a higher-paying and more demanding yet rewarding career, the healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors today. According to PolicyAdvice.net, the global industry was valued at approximately $8.45 trillion in 2018. However, the global healthcare sector could reach over $10 trillion by 2022. And what’s more, is that the U.S. accounts for spending twice what other countries do on healthcare. 

If you want to have a long-term successful career, the healthcare industry is a good place to start researching opportunities. It is one of the fastest-growing industries in both the U.S. and world and there are hundreds of different roles in diverse organizations to choose from – but entering the industry isn’t enough to guarantee a prosperous career. You will also need to do lots of little things to set solid educational and experiential foundations for career growth.

Do you want to succeed as a healthcare professional? If so, here are six tips to help you ensure you have a fruitful career.

Set Realistic, Measurable, and Achievable Career Goals

The first thing you need to do is spend some time defining your short-term and long-range career goals. Maybe you would like to help sick children, embark on a career as a medical doctor, or maybe you would prefer to work in a supporting role and administrative position. Think about your aspirations, your skills, your experience, and your interests within the healthcare sector, and then establish a clear path to success. Creating a calendar of milestones is a great way to start the process.

Improve Your Communication Skills to Improve Professional-Working Relationships

 When some people think about the skills needed to get a promotion, they think about being assertive, strategic, and confident – but it is also very important to ensure you have great communication skills, both written and oral. This allows you to communicate ideas successfully during meetings and discussions and in emails, which is essential for advancement. 

Admittedly right now, you may not be able to communicate in person due to COVID-19, but you can still practice your communication skills during Skype or Zoom meetings. Communicating through video calls or in-person requires the same skill set. Clear thinking skills, strong listening ability, non-verbal communication, and professional respect are the keys to effective communication.

Tell Senior Management or Office Administration About Your Short-term and Long-Range Goals

Most hospitals and medical centers actively encourage their employees to start a career with them, so if you tell management about your short-term and long-range goals, they may provide additional training or financial support to pursue continuing education or enroll in a degree program relevant to your job. For instance, if you work in an administrative position but would like to move into an IT role, your employer may pay for you to study IT at the university-level. This will make it much easier for you to move up the healthcare career ladder, and it also means management is more likely to consider you for extra work or a promotion. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Take Initiative and Show Off Your Leadership Skills 

Stand out among other employees by making a conscious effort to be the most passionate and motivated employee on your team. You can do this in lots of different ways; you could apply for leadership positions or senior management opportunities—if you have the experience and education. You could also offer to mentor new employees, train junior team members, or you could volunteer at the hospital you work outside of your regular work schedule. These small steps will show management that you are a dedicated, passionate, hard worker, so they are more likely to provide you with opportunities in the future. Don’t be afraid to showcase your management skills.

Refine Your Skills and Expertise to Become More Qualified for Higher Paying Positions within Your Organization

You may need more qualifications to move up the career ladder within your organization. For instance, if you want to work as an executive director, hospital administrator, CEO/CFO, dentist, or a doctor, you may need to get a healthcare qualification or degree from an organization such as https://onlinemha.bc.edu/. This will mean that you have to step away from your current healthcare role for a few years so that you can study and complete the degree, but once you are qualified to fulfill the role, you will be able to apply for lots of better paid, higher-level positions or simply move the ranks in your existing organization.

Expand Your Network to Maximize Career Opportunities

Finally, it can be beneficial to network with diverse people in the healthcare industry in your local area as well as throughout the country. You don’t have to forge bonds with every single co-worker or colleague you meet; instead, focus your energy on creating genuine business relationships with people you admire and respect. You can do this by attending healthcare events (such as conferences, conventions, or talks), or you could network on LinkedIn, or in virtual industry events using forums and industry websites. With the technology available today, there are countless ways to build your network.