A drop of blood is enough to make some people queasy and for many like this the idea of a health care career is not even an option. So the caring among us who need to be on the front lines of patient care with warm hearts and empathetic natures are nowhere to be found. The fact is there are a number of health care related careers that have nothing to do with what’s traditionally thought of as health care and Hospital Dream Jobs is your source to find them.

An article on Schools.com outlines four health care related fields that don’t require a smock, cap and surgical gloves. In fact, experts suggest if you are thinking of a medical career that you do a trial run with some established health care organizations, like volunteering with your local ambulance contractors to see how you handle the stress and trauma. If you’re running for the hills after an hour in an ambulance you don’t necessarily have to scratch a career in health care, but you may want to look at these professions:

Personal or Home Health Care Aide

Certified home aids visit clients’ homes and help the elderly, sick and even those injured on the job. Health care aides provide company, do housework and shopping, drive clients to appointments and even help with personal care. A two-week course to earn national certification from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice is all that’s needed to get started. Projected job growth by 2018 is 51 percent.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists are considered an active part of a patient’s health care team especially now with new medications being developed every day. Pharmacists work at hospitals, clinics, commercial drug stores and even your local grocery store that has a pharmacy.  The primary job of a pharmacist is to dispense prescribed medication, create compounds as directed by physicians and monitor their patients’ prescriptions for possible negative interactions.  This position requires a Doctor of Pharmacy degree which takes a minimum of six years to complete. Projected job growth by 2018 is 22 percent.

Medical and Health Services Manager

This supporting role rarely deals with patients and are never involved with their health concerns. Instead, medical and health services managers, also called health care executives or health care administrators, supervise the delivery of medical care. These positions can cover specializations by department or even a whole organization. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is essential but a master’s in public administration, health sciences, public health, etc. is preferred. Projected job growth by 2018 is 16 percent.

Physical Therapist

This position is much more patient-centered but does not involve the gut-wrenching trauma you’d typically see inside a hospital. Physical therapists help rehabilitate people from injuries, surgery and even strokes which have affected their ability to move and perform everyday tasks. There are more than 200 physical-therapist training programs nationwide which are typically 24 to 30 month programs. Projected job growth by 2018 is 30 percent.

Social Networking is certainly the current and perhaps best way to land your next job or inquire about new careers. To capitalize on this current trend, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) has launched GoDental. a new interactive multimedia web resource to enhance the dental education experience.

Interested in a Dental career? GoDental’s mission is to help students navigate their way through the experience of becoming a dentist by providing information directly from dental professionals. GoDental goes straight to the source in finding the latest and greatest trends and information on the world of dentistry through interactive media including:

• DentNetworks – an interactive forum that allows students to engage with peers, dental students and others about applying to dental school, what it means to be a dental student and what a career in dentistry offers.
• Blogistry – which allows GoDental members to read and comment about current news and issues affecting the dental community. Blogs, written by dental professionals and students, cover everything from tips on applying to dental school and how to finance a dental education to perspectives on current news and viewpoints.
• DenTube – an online channel with videos on current events, what dental school is like and tips for successfully completing an application to dental school.

There is even a section for future students, whether in high school or college, that provides information and resources on career options, preparing for dental school and even dental school curriculum.

“ADEA is excited to offer students, prospective students, residents and fellows the opportunity to come together under an inventive combination of multimedia, forums and community development,” said ADEA President Leo E. Rouse, D.D.S.

GoDental membership is free and members can even follow GoDental on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Go to www.godental.org for more information and to sign up.

The American Dental Education Association is the voice of dental education. Its members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools and many allied and postdoctoral dental education programs, corporations, faculty, and students. The mission of ADEA is to lead individuals and institutions of the dental education community to address contemporary issues influencing education, research, and the delivery of oral health care for the health of the public.

Hospital Dream Jobs provides not only resources to your next job in health care but also news and insight on today’s latest trends and the information you need to get your career started.

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.

Take a deep breath. What I’m about to talk about strikes fear in the heart of the most courageous men and women. A fear so strong Jerry Seinfeld once joked that people would rather be in the casket than give the eulogy. Public speaking! But ask anyone who has conquered this fear and they will tell you without hesitation and even with a little joy– they love it! And you can too.

As a healthcare professional you may be asked to speak at a board meeting, seminar, conference or workshop-and possibly in front of a very large audience. When that day comes, if you are like many of us, you will pass many nervous days and nights. Or you can conquer that fear and enjoy the moment. Remember, all eyes are on you because you’re the expert!

There are many tactics one can use to stop the butterflies (though even the most experienced speakers will tell you the butterflies never truly go away – so take heart!) and one of those I’d recommend is to join Toastmasters or take a Dale Carnegie course. Everyone has joined for the same reason you will – to get over their fear of public speaking. Positive affirmations and reassurances are the only thing you’ll hear even if you stumble, mumble and fumble. You will also get very positive, constructive feedback that is designed to help you the next time out.

Consider the following tips:

1. Think about your favorite music group, ball team or restaurant. Someone asks you about it and you immediately know statistics, facts and figures. Why? Because you’ve taken the time to investigate a topic that’s important to you. The same goes for public speaking about your professional expertise. You’re not going to get up in front of people to discuss something you know nothing about, right? So, do your homework, prepare for possible questions and know your stuff! You’ll breeze through the moment and people will look at you with new respect.
2. Practice makes perfect! You didn’t just spend 20 minutes talking about your favorite hobby for the first time did you? No, over time, you naturally practiced your “speech” if you will, and now it flows out flawlessly. When you have a professional speech to give, by all means, practice, practice, practice, in front of the mirror, your spouse, your friends and colleagues, even in front of your kids (if you can deliver a speech to wiggling, giggling children you can deliver a speech to anyone).
3. On the day of your speech, forego bringing the entire text but rather key words or phrases to help you remember your main points. This will allow you to speak conversationally rather than reading from the page. And keep this in mind, if you leave something out, the audience will never know.
4. One other thing. You may feel the need to tell people you’re nervous as a way to “protect” yourself in case things don’t go as smoothly as you hoped. Don’t! It’s natural to be nervous but if you tell people they will focus on whether or not your nerves are getting the best of you rather than listening to the message you are trying to convey.
5. Finally, know that once you begin speaking, if you are focused on your subject and feel confident in your knowledge, the nerves will likely disappear. In fact, you may even find you enjoy it and may be invited back to speak again! Public speaking engagements are a wonderful way to reinvigorate your love for your profession as you share your expertise and will be a great addition to your resume.

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!

I have only recently begun to comprehend the full scope of the burdens facing the future of healthcare in America including the large boomer generation with its complex medical needs, the high volume of new patients who will seek care under the new Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the continuing physician shortage as more and more doctors retire.

 In October, the Institute of Medicine issued a report entitled “The Future of Nursing, Leading Change, Advancing Health,” a detailed look at the way nurses can help alleviate these burdens and improve healthcare with shifts in their roles, responsibilities and education.

“Transforming the nursing profession is a crucial element to achieving the nation’s vision of an effective, affordable health care system that is accessible and responsive to all,” said committee vice chair Linda Burnes Bolten, Vice President for Nursing, Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing Research, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. Welcoming nurses to the table to advance discussions on healthcare reform makes a lot of sense considering there are over 3 million nurses in the country (comprising the single largest segment of the healthcare workforce) and they spend the greatest amount of time delivering patient care.

The study outlines in detail the kinds of changes that need to take place within the nursing profession before nurses can have an impact on the bigger picture. The committee hopes to see the following changes (and more) in years to come:

• An increase in the number of nurses with a 4-year degree from 50% to 80%.
• Double the number of nurses who pursue doctorates.
• Implementation of residency training.
• Removal of scope of practice barriers by state, federal and health care organizations.
• More organizations providing nurses with leadership training opportunities.
• More nurses participating in management teams, boards and other groups shaping health care policy and practice.

The report is a comprehensive 600-page document based on the committee’s research of scientific literature on the nursing profession as well as public forums held by the committee to gather insights and evidence from a wide range of experts.  The committee is meeting again this week to begin brainstorming ways to implement their recommendations.

Nurses are a large group of unsung medical heroes who may finally have their day as they step into new roles of influence and leadership at this major turning point in healthcare history.

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.

Even in these mean and lean times, when we may be forced to take on whatever work comes our way, most of us still want our work to be about more than just a paycheck. Catching up with an old classmate this week, I was inspired by the way she reinvented herself and found work that is both meaningful and fulfilling. Today, Wendy is the Sr. Executive Admin to the Research Department for a medical device company in Sunnyvale which develops medical technology and services for those who treat cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients. She supports the Vice President of Research and his staff, setting up lyceums of visiting cardiologists. Wendy enjoys the excitement of learning about cutting-edge medical technology and knowing that she is doing her part to help others who need these devices to live healthy, productive lives.

Twenty years ago, Wendy had no idea this is where she would end up. Here’s what I call Wendy’s formula for change:

1. Be resourceful-While raising her son, Wendy felt that an administrative job would be an improvement over waiting tables. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the time or money to go to school to learn the programs she would need to use in an office setting. She didn’t even have a computer. So she borrowed friends’ computers and taught herself the programs in her spare time. Then she started applying for temp jobs where she continued to learn on the job. Don’t let perceived obstacles stand in your way.

2. Be a life-long learner-Although getting into the company didn’t require previous medical experience, Wendy wouldn’t be where she is today without some continuing education (she took classes in Bradycardia and Tachycardia) and reading medical journals on a regular basis. Take advantage of your employer’s education reimbursement programs and read industry periodicals whenever you can.

3. Be aware of emerging trends-As many jobs are being eliminated, waves of new jobs will emerge, including jobs like Wendy’s, because baby boomers are aging and technology is advancing. “Someone has to support the inventors and the cardiologists and the MDs who create these devices,” she says. Look for jobs in emerging markets rather than in sectors that will be obsolete within a few years.

4. Be willing to test the waters-After temping in various industries, Wendy was hired as a temporary buyer/planner for the medical device company. She found herself “surrounded by dedicated, happy coworkers and soon started to feel a similar sense of success and dedication.” Through the years she temped for them in a variety of departments and was finally promoted to her current post, which she feels is more exciting than admin work in other fields. The path to your dream job may not be clear-cut, but as you try different things you learn and grow and will discover what makes you happy.

Many of us have been there. We thought that we would stay
at our jobs forever! But before we knew it, fate intervenes and alas, we are beginning a new job with people we don’t even know and struggling with the “Should I say this? How will people take it?” issue. More importantly, there is the “I have no idea what personality my boss is and I would really like to know a little more at this point” syndrome.

Although it may be virtually impossible to pin your boss’ personality down in the first week of your new job position, there are some things that you can do to impress a boss of most any personality. Here is what we recommend:

1. Remember that your job, whether you like it or not, is to make your boss look great. I know, I know, this can be hard sometimes to remember or WANT to do…but remembering this at all times will help you become invaluable to the organization.

2. Schedule a meeting with your boss quickly. Review any expectations, etc but mostly present yourself as a learner and find out what you can do to make things smoother within the organization.

3, Get to know the other staff members. Sitting in an office or hanging at a counter with zipped lips is not the way to impress the powers-that-be. Get out on the floor. Make friends with staff members and the people who are frequenting the establishment.

4. Remember to wear your learning cap. Recognize that you are NEW and that even staff members in other positions can teach you. Be a sponge. It will help you pick things up more quickly and impress them as well. It will also help you do your job even better.

5. Ask staff members what the organization is lacking, or what they are frustrated with (note this is not a question for the first day, more like after you get to know them a little) and see what you can do to help.

6. “Go the extra mile” and “Take the high road” whenever possible. This will benefit you and the people that you work with. The staff members and boss will see that you have high integrity and that you truly care for other people.

7. When you are complimented, ask what you can do better at as well. This shows humility and a willingness to learn.

8. Remember that you are not just working for your boss, but for fellow staff member and the public as well. The “I am here to serve you” attitude, although it seems petty (and never say it aloud) can go a long way in helping to impress your boss in the early days and beyond.

We are pleased to introduce New York-Presbyterian Hospital as a new Featured Employer here at Hospital Dream Jobs. NewYork-Presbyterian has extremely high levels of both employee and patient satisfaction scores. They maintain these scores while serving over 2 million patients a year.

They are the largest not-for-profit academic medical center in the nation and last month, they received the prestigious ranking of #6 in America’s Best Hospitals list by U.S. News & World Report.

To help job seekers learn more about their culture, career areas and upcoming events, NewYork-Presbyterian has created a new career website. This site offers a wealth of information and gives job seekers an opportunity to hear first-hand stories from hospital employees.

Edy, a Clinical Laboratory Chief Technologist, says that the people she works with are truly quality people, focused on patients. On her video, she shares that one Friday evening, an Oncologist approached her with a baby’s bone marrow aspirate in hand. “I need to treat this patient today,” he said. The Oncologist, Pathologist and Edy sat side-by-side to run the needed tests far into the evening so that the baby could receive care that night. “I’m a mother.” She says, “And that baby is someone’s loved one.”

Marisol, a Physician’s Assistant in the surgical department agrees. “The teamwork is amazing.” She thrives on connecting with her co-workers and also enjoys the annual Employee Recognition Day. “The care here, for all people, is outstanding.” She says, “The best compliment is when a patient tells me that they are comfortable and happy. They also like that I can speak Spanish. And everyone that I work with here is so very compassionate and caring. It makes a big difference for me.”

In spite of high unemployment rates and budget cuts at medical centers nationwide, NewYork-Presbyterian continues to hire and support employee benefits and programs. In 2009, the hospital hired 1,918 new employees, including 658 new nurses, and they expect to hire more than 1,900 employees this year. It’s obvious that they value their team members, patients and quality care.

Search for current job openings at NewYork-Presbyterian.