Switching Job Roles in the Healthcare Sector: What You Need to Know

Updated on March 30, 2020


Making a career change can be a challenging move, especially if you’re considering leaving an employer. As the healthcare sector is so vast, there are many job roles to choose from, which means you can change things up without having to leave the field. While working in the industry, you are likely to have gained many transferable skills that can be applied to other healthcare jobs, and as a result, you shouldn’t find the leap too challenging.

No matter which sector you work in within healthcare, this article will provide all the information you need about changing job roles in the industry:

Education

Regardless of which industry you work in, having the relevant qualifications can open doors to a range of opportunities at various levels of pay. Jobs such as receptionists, pharmacy technicians, and administrators may only need a specialized diploma certificate; however, doctors, nurses, dental hygienists, and phlebotomists will require a relevant degree certificate.Those looking to venture into healthcare administration will need to have gained MHA prerequisites, as the job requires the individual to have in-depth knowledge about the healthcare system’s business approach.

Although healthcare education is usually very specifically directed at leading you into certain jobs, you don’t necessarily have to limit your job search to just one area.

Experience

If you have been working in the healthcare sector for many years, you will already be one step ahead of applicants who may have no experience at all.Shift patterns, the demands of the industry, and knowledge of how it is managed – all essential factors of healthcare work – will be second nature to you.

If you are looking to switch careers within healthcare, it would be worth taking on a volunteer position to give you a taste of what the new job may entail. Internships are another valuable option to gain experience in the relevant job sector, enabling you to explore the new career path in more detail before giving up your current job.

Networking

As with any industry, networking is an essential part of developing your career.Due to working in healthcare for many years, you may already have acquired invaluable contacts along the way on whom you can call when you need help and advice. If you are considering taking a career leap, it would be well worth developing your networking techniques further by joining local professional medical groups in your area, shadowing professionals, or connecting with medical experts on social media sites such as LinkedIn or Twitter.

Research

Keeping up to date with the latest industry trends is crucial when deciding to change job roles in the healthcare sector. While you may have a vague idea about the latest industry news, you must spend your free time browsing healthcare news sources online. By doing so, you will be equipped with all of the knowledge you need to prove your passion and talk openly about your thoughts on these topics during an interview.

14556571 1295515490473217 259386398988773604 o

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.