If you’re looking for a career in healthcare you’ve come to the right place – now and in the future. According to a 24/7 Wall St. article, healthcare jobs rate quite favorably for being the best paying jobs during the decade of 2008-2018. Much of this is accredited to the Baby Boomer crowd (the first Baby Boomers turn 65 this year) whose large number will increasingly need more healthcare professionals to care for them.

The jobs reviewed were taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Employment Matrix which provides projected growth between 2008 and 2018 for 750 major job categories. The study identified jobs that are going to add the largest number of new positions (greater than a 20 percent increase) and then selected those with a median annual income of at least $60,000.

Of the top 10 jobs identified, dental hygienists rank #9 on the list. Dental hygienists work alongside of dentists, clean teeth and assist in surgery. Total new jobs expected between the years of 2008-2018 are just under 63,000 (a 36.1 percent increase) and the position has a median income of $68,250. Those who live in Michigan, Idaho and Utah will have a leg up as these are the states with the most dental hygienist jobs per capita.

Coming in at #5 are physicians and surgeons. This career path is exploding not only from the expected increase in population (several million a year) but a high number of physicians and surgeons are also expected to retire during the 2008-2018 period. The increase in demand has been calculated at nearly 22 percent and the median income for this position is between $94,000 and $153,000. It was noted that the level of training is one of the most difficult but the potential payoff is high. Those living in New Mexico, West Virginia and Wyoming will fare better at findings jobs than in other parts of the country.

The #1 job is Registered Nurses with an expected 581,500 (a 22.2 percent increase) new jobs opening during the years of 2008 and 2018. Registered Nurses, or RNs, provide basic medical treatment, manage patient records and are the primary providers of long-term care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes, “Growth will be driven by technological advances in patient care, which permit a greater number of health problems to be treated, and by an increasing emphasis on preventive care.” Like dental hygienists, the demand for RNs is being fueled by the Baby Boomers who, as they age, will push the demand for nursing care. The median income is $64,690 and people living in Rhode Island, South Dakota and Massachusetts will have the best chance at finding a job in this field.

The job market in the healthcare industry is better than ever-with much opportunity attached. Even the experts agree.

I once had a promising phone interview for a job I very much wanted and had a good shot at. I researched the company and the department thoroughly, wrote out answers to potential questions, and had my resume and the job description in front of me.

Unfortunately, though I tried to be prepared, a few key elements went awry that I’m sure cost me a shot at the job. I didn’t even get a face-to-face meeting! I wish I’d had these tips to help me prepare.

First the Don’ts:

• Don’t use a cell phone if you’ll be doing the call in a place with unreliable cell service.
• Don’t answer call waiting. If possible, temporarily disable this feature (some carriers allow this).
• Don’t have pets or children in the room with you.
• Don’t try to squeeze the call in between other appointments, during a short lunch break or your kid’s nap time!
• Don’t multitask. Stay focused on this activity only.
• Don’t discuss money – yet. If the question is broached by the interviewer, you can stall by telling them you’ll need to understand the full scope of the job better as well as be more familiar with the entire compensation package.
• Don’t let them catch you off guard. If an interviewer calls you unannounced and attempts to conduct an impromptu interview, politely ask if you may call them back.

Now the Do’s:

• Plan a minimum of 30 minutes in a quiet, controlled environment.
• Be prepared for the interview the same as if it were face-to-face.
  • research the company
  • know as much about the job specifics as possible
  • have a list of questions you want to ask
  • prepare a list of potential questions that they may ask along with your answers (but don’t read them, they should come out sounding natural and unrehearsed)
  • have your resume handy
• Dress professionally and sit at a table or desk with a good chair – this will impact your body language which will impact how your voice carries over the phone.
• Have your internet up with the company’s website in front of you.
• Use a hands-free headset so your hands are free to take notes and quickly access information you might need on the web.
• Mute the phone if you have to cough, sneeze, sip, etc. (Make sure you know how to use this function first!).
• Smile! They can hear it in your voice.
• Give them a reason to meet with you face-to-face.

If a potential employer asks if you have/can do Skype – the answer is yes even if you have to figure it out with someone else’s help before the call takes place. If at all possible, set up your computer in an uncluttered, preferably professional environment. (The employer may choose a video call instead of just the audio option). And of course, look your best. It can be a bit odd on a video call because you can see yourself, and because there’s sometimes a delay in the audio. But you mustn’t let the little oddities distract you from your purpose.

Phone interviews are very prevalent as an initial screening process, especially if the job isn’t in your current city and as more companies are cutting costs. So be prepared and don’t give them any reason to cross you off their list. Get that face-to-face interview and you’re one step closer to landing the job!

When you chose to enter the field of healthcare, marketing was probably the furthest thing from your mind. You chose this line of work to help people not to sell to them, right? You are a caring, compassionate person who just wants to do the best job possible in some of the toughest working conditions imaginable – long hours, limited budgets, constantly changing federal policies, mountains of paperwork, ever changing technology, and now you’re expected to tackle marketing too? Why? 

Good question. Although you can’t be expected to be a marketing expert, familiarizing yourself with the landscape of healthcare marketing is crucial. Although there is a predicted shortfall of doctors and nurses and overall healthcare resources over the next decade, especially as Baby Boomers continue to age, healthcare will continue to be a highly competitive field. And most patients have a choice of providers.

As you work diligently to provide the highest quality of care, you can’t subscribe to the “if you build, they will come” philosophy. And you can’t rely 100% on marketing professionals to do the job for you. You have to participate in the process of attracting and retaining new business. Additionally, being savvy about advertising, web design, blogging, social media and other aspects of marketing will give you a leg up should you find yourself job hunting. 

Again, I’m not saying you have to be a pro, but you should be in the know. There are a whole host of books to read and workshops to attend highlighting the various aspects of marketing. You can also gain insights from your professional membership organizations. And if you are in a position of management or leadership you can learn from your members of your marketing department or contracting marketing firm, ensuring the marketing efforts are collaborative. Ask a lot of questions, risk making suggestions and allowing them to tell you why these may or may not be good ideas.

Another possible fount of knowledge is something I recently came across while surfing the web: a marketing crash-course for healthcare professionals offered in an online newsletter format from MD Clients, a Web Interactive Marketing firm for medical professionals. The newsletter was launched in April and will be distributed through March of 2012. Here’s what’s on the agenda for upcoming newsletters:

• July, 2011 – Newspapers & Magazine Advertising: Cost vs. Conversions
• August, 2011 – Paid Search & Microsites: How it works, when it works and who it would work for. Google Paid Search vs. 2nd Tier Paid Search.
• September, 2011 – Professional Websites: Medical Hosting, Choosing a Domain, on-site SEO and Privacy Policies.
• October, 2011 – Website Security: HIPAA/PHI compliance, Online Forms and Collecting Patient Information.
• November, 2011 – Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Local forums, Health forums and reviews.
• December, 2011 – Directories: SEO-only, Local and Health.
• January, 2012 – Blogging: A Doctor’s blog, medical organization blog, blog comments and what other bloggers say about your practice.
• February, 2012 – Physician Entrepreneurs: What you need to know before you start your own practice
• March 2012 – Further Study: Books to Read, Workshops to Attend and Charities to support.

Subscribe to the newsletter here.  

A career in healthcare is complex and demanding, but you’ve made it this far, proving your passion, commitment and resilience. And with a little bit of marketing know-how your prospects for a long, vibrant career will remain high.

Whether or not you’re looking for a job right now, now’s the time to pull out your resume, dust it off, air it and freshen it up. You never know when an exciting new opportunity will present itself (or when you might find yourself in the midst of a sudden downsizing).

Here are some tips for updating your resume:

The Year in Review

Make sure your current job is on your resume. Many of us forget to add our newest job once we’ve been hired. As you list your job responsibilities, be sure to include any projects you’ve managed or major accomplishments. Update it at least once a year.

 Go Back to the Beginning

Look at the job listed on your resume that was the longest ago and consider how relevant it is to your current and future career goals. If it’s still relevant, keep it on there but consider paring the description down.

Eye Candy

One thing recruiters will do after scanning your resume is to read the very last section (kind of like skipping to the end of a book when you don’t have time to read the whole thing!). So list your most recent workshops, professional associations and awards at the bottom. If you’re still listing awards you received in college 20 years ago, it may be time to consider getting out and getting more involved. Employers want well-rounded individuals who stay on top of their game.

Trendy to a Point

As with everything else in life, resume formats follow trends. You want your resume to reflect current trends that work. When I’ve been on the hiring end, I’ve seen some trends that were all about big, fancy fonts and colored, textured papers. To me they seemed more about looks and less about content. It’s easy to surf the web for current resume style guides and compare and contrast them, looking for the styles that say modern, clean and professional. Those will best present you as the professional that you are.

Final Words of Wisdom

Proofread over and over, and then have a few friends proofread over and over. Typos and grammatical errors will land your resume in the trash faster than you can say, “Are you still hiring?” Also, save your resume in the 3 most commonly accessed formats, text only, Microsoft Word and PDF so you have what is needed at the ready and no one can say to you, “Sorry, I couldn’t open your resume.”

If you feel it’s time for a complete overhaul, read our two-part blog on writing resumes in our Resume Tips.

Job reviews are rarely fun or welcome. But with some forethought and preparation they can help you ascend the career ladder, make your job easier, open the door to new opportunities, improve your relationship with your boss and possibly even get you that raise you’ve been hoping for. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Know how the review process works by reading your employee handbook or asking coworkers, your boss or your Human Resources Manager.
• Keep a work journal, keeping track of your primary duties, listing obstacles you’ve encountered and how you overcame them as well as victories and how you accomplished them.
• Make a list of the qualities typically looked for in a person in this position and rate how well you are fulfilling these expectations.
• Make a wish list of things your boss can do or resources he/she can provide that would help you do a better job. Be specific, realistic and perhaps a little creative.
• Anticipate tough questions and rehearse your answers. If you committed a blunder or were involved in a workplace conflict, expect that to come up during your review even if it was already dealt with previously.
• Be prepared for criticism with an open mind and don’t get emotional. Prove you are a mature individual eager to improve your job performance.
• Make a list of short-term and long-term goals. Include new projects or responsibilities you’d like to be considered for. Outline how you plan to accomplish these goals, how your employer can help and how this will make you more of an asset to the company.
• Ask questions. Show you are actively listening and that you desire to understand their goals and expectations.
• If you plan to ask for a raise, do your research. Know what others in your field with your credentials and experience are being paid. If you have contributed to the company’s financial success, have the facts and figures to prove it. Be aware that pay scales and salary increases are often put in place months or years in advance when budgets are established.

Finally, if I might add a little whimsical touch to lighten the mood:

• Treat your review like a mini-New Year’s Eve Party. It’s a time to reflect on the year behind you and make resolutions for the year ahead. It may be bittersweet, but hopefully not too painful, and should end on a note of optimism.

The American Public Health Association, founded in 1972, exists to both inform and protect the public. They are the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals. As you likely know, they play an important role in communication, disease prevention and crisis control, when there are serious health issues that threaten our nation.

With a goal of true education and prevention, The APHA also publishes books, papers and articles on disease control and preventative measures, including the peer-reviewed “American Journal of Public Health” and the award-winning newspaper, “The Nation’s Health”. 

Some of the projects that APHA accomplishes include protecting funding for public health services, providing vaccines for school-aged children, regulating prescription drugs for safety and effectiveness, ensuring access to clean water and air, measuring of air quality, providing educational campaigns to reduce childhood obesity and developing school nutritional programs.

APHA understands that:

• A healthy public gets sick less frequently and spends less money on health care, which equals better economic productivity and improved quality of life.
• Healthy children become healthy adults. Healthy children also attend school more often and are better performers.
• Public health educates people about lifestyle choices and also reduced the impact of disasters with preparation.
• APHA is a central point of communication and education when disasters do occur.

 APHA hires a variety of people to fulfill public health duties. These include:

• Emergency Responders
• Health Educators
• Scientists and Researchers
• Public Heath Physicians
• Public Health Nurses
• Occupational Health & Safety Professionals
• Social Workers
• Nutritionists
• Epidemiologists
• Public Policymakers
• Community Planners
• Restaurant Inspectors

 For more information, visit APHA. Career Openings are here. You can also follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.

Dream Jobs, of course, don’t always come within a standard hospital setting. Many healthcare workers discover that a job in an outpatient clinic, or even with a medical association or non- profit, is the perfect job for them.

This series on Health Organizations will raise awareness of the mission and goals of these great organizations, as well as help our readers become more aware of the opportunities within them.

Here is a startling and sad fact for this week: One in seven American adults now has kidney disease. This is up by 30% in the past decade. The nonprofit health organization, Northwest Kidney Centers, exists to help sustain the lives of those affected by kidney disease and provide hope to those who are suffering.

“Northwest Kidney Centers has been at the forefront of kidney disease treatment and research since its inception in 1962.” States their website, “As the largest provider of dialysis services in the Pacific Northwest, NKC has twelve centers located in King and Clallam counties, and employs over five hundred people.”

Their strategic goals include:

1. Improve quality while aligning payments and costs.
2. Bridge gaps in care with information, services and technology.
3. Deepen trust and collaboration between NKC, nephrologists and patients.
4. Grow to meet the need for kidney care, directly and through partnerships.
5. Collaborate in research to promote innovation in treatment and better quality.
6. Increase community knowledge about and support for kidney care.
7. Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout NKC to cultivate robust investment in NKC’s nonprofit mission.
8. Develop our workforce and leadership to be the best, in the future as well as today.

Northwest Kidney is the first outpatient dialysis center in the world and the only community-based, free-standing, not-for-profit dialysis organization in the United States. Learn more about them on Facebook and Twitter.

The job-related headlines have provided an ongoing emotional roller coaster the past few years swinging wildly from pessimistic news of doom and gloom to optimistic reports of economic recovery. This week I read about something positive and real that encouraged me – a system in healthcare technology that is creating new jobs and will continue to do so in the coming years. These are Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), also referred to as Health Information Technology (HIT) (and a bevy of other monikers with accompanying acronyms).

HIEs have been around, on a small scale, for at least a decade, allowing the exchange of medical records between formerly unconnected electronic systems. The systems will decrease administrative costs for providers while improving the quality of healthcare for patients.

While there are some networks in various States, there are currently no state or federal regulations governing the exchange of medical records. However, there are several organizations working towards a nationwide, regulated network.

This will create more jobs as the system matures. On the bureaucratic level, there will be people in state and federal government responsible for creating and monitoring these networks. There will be the techies creating the software (there’s already several companies out there, but as we know with technology, there’s always room for competition and room for improvement). There will be the sales force and the tech support staff installing, training and helping providers maintain the systems. And finally, there will be the end users themselves, possibly an entire job in itself once these systems become fully integrated into the healthcare system.

How can you jump on this burgeoning bandwagon? Should you hop on board? Whether you’re looking for work or already employed the answer is YES. This is a system that you should definitely keep your eye on as it continues to grow and change, whether you’re in management, tech support, patient services or even employed as a nurse or physician.

Here are a few of the ways that you could use your healthcare experience to assist the transition to HIE’s:

1. Serve on a regulatory committee providing your healthcare expertise.
2. Become a point person who provides test runs of one of the new systems that eventually gets installed in your hospital.
3. Combine your healthcare experience with your love of technology to write software or consult for an HIE.
4. Take classes in software development if this field interests you.

Follow the HIE news at the Nationwide Health Information Network Watch.

There is a ton of help available to help you with your job search online and today we want to highlight some of them that have resources valuable to your job search. Whether you need help with a resume, need to access job listings or need help networking, resources abound. Here are some resources that we recommend:

1. Help my Resume- A no-cost resume rewriting service with a mission in mind to help people present themselves better. Their vision: “By the end of 2011, we will be the leading advocate, conscious, voice and solutions provider to, and on behalf of the unemployed, regardless of age, sex or race throughout the United States.” They have a comprehensive blog with a ton of good job searching information as well. Follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.

2. Expert Resume Man- We first met Graham on Twitter, where he keeps a steady stream of interesting job conversations and resources going. Today he posted a great tip: “Never include marital status, religious/political affiliations in résumé. Don’t insert picture either.” Graham is a career coach and if you feel the need for some more in-depth analysis of your resume, job search or defining your objective/goals, he’s the one to go to.

3. Landon Long- We also met Landon on Twitter. He is great at outlining the common pitfalls on resumes and offers a free course on his website about resume writing. The course includes access to four newsletters on job interviewing.

4. HealthCareers.net offers a great blog with a lot of healthcare job stats and growth predictions. In addition, they have job listings, health news, education and financial aid information. You can even view educational programs by State.

5. Job-Hunt.org offers hundreds of listings for job resources including online job searching tutorials, a Guide to Lay-Off Self Defense and more. From Job-Hunt website, “Job-Hunt is dedicated to the millions of people who have had their personal lives disrupted by the loss of a job…We hope that Job-Hunt can help open doors and provide assistance and hope to job seekers…A job loss can be a new beginning as well as an ending. A career is a process, not a destination! Don’t give up!”

6. Don’t forget to check out our blog for great resources and also our job listing section for thousands of healthcare jobs!

Why do you work in healthcare? You can’t deny that our chosen field makes a huge impact on people, how they live and even the outcome of their lives. When we chose healthcare for a living, it usually has something to do with making an impact and being able to positively affect lives.

But every job has its challenges, and whether yours are conflict with co-workers/superiors, low pay for long hours, patient “unappreciation” or just plain-ole office politics-jobs can get discouraging. How can you prevent those discouragements from affecting your job performance and burning you out?

Here are some suggestions for you:

1. Never doubt the impact that you can make. You won’t always hear it and sometimes, you might hear it in an odd fashion (such as a twisted compliment or overhearing family members talking about you), but know that your impact is great. Consider jotting down each compliment that your receive. Then you will have a list to refer to when you have a tough day.

2. Know when you need a break. If you are overly tired, feel discouraged or dread going to work, it’s time for a break. There is a reason why your employer allows vacation time. Breaks will keep you refreshed and thinking clearly. Take the breaks that you are allotted.

3. Encourage and use humor while on the job. Humor is an essential stress reliever and having some appropriate fun with your coworkers can do wonders to relax everyone who is there. Feeling stressed? Keep a joke book at the desk and pull it out when everyone is as tense as a stretched rubber band.

4. Don’t forget to eat! I’m not kidding. In the healthcare field we are incredibly busy and at times will go hours without the food needed that fuels our body and minds. Don’t let yourself move into low blood sugar, irritability and stress. Make sure everyone has scheduled breaks to eat and take those breaks. If you can’t, stash some higher protein snacks in your work area that you can grab on the go.

5. Communicate with your patients, co-workers and superiors. Communication is incredibly vital to keeping the work environment running smoothly. If you are uncomfortable with someone, there is a reason. Try and talk it out. Make it a priority to verbally de-clutter the workspace as needed. This will help everyone’s stress level, even those not directly involved with the issue.