You can make a difference in care without going to medical school, and there are probably many skills you already have for a new career in healthcare. But what skills are looked for these days? Well, all kinds of skills are needed for modern healthcare. So, from those all-important communication skills to collaborating with teams, here are some of the most sought-after.
Customer Service and Admin
You don’t have to spend many years and a lot of money for a healthcare career. There are many support roles that make up the infrastructure of the medical industry, from community engagement to AI technical assistance. Of course, customer service and administration are also critical to efficient operations at any healthcare facility. By becoming a virtual medical assistant, you can help transform patient care by supporting other personnel, such as doctors and nurses.
Communication for a Career in Healthcare
Communication is probably the most requested soft skill across every industry. If you can speak well, people will listen, and that is pretty valuable, especially in healthcare. The latest UK figures report that 43% of NHS nurses quit within 10 years of joining, but these skills can help you:
- You will need strong verbal skills for clarity, listening, and explaining situations.
- Non-verbal such as sign language and body language are a major advantage.
- Because accuracy is vital, it is beneficial to have excellent written communication.
Empathy and Compassionate Care
Of course, an empathetic and compassionate approach to care is necessary. Patients of all kinds, from simple cosmetic procedures to complex surgery, are vulnerable. This vulnerability gives way to heightened sensitivity, and you can make a real difference with an understanding of their emotions and fears. Surprisingly, this skill doesn’t come naturally to most people, and you can help patients through some of the worst times of their lives with a caring personality.
A Career in Healthcare Requires Problem-Solving
There are many issues that will arise in a medical setting. Even violence is an issue when working in establishments such as hospitals. In fact, an average of 20 healthcare workers are killed doing their jobs each year in the US. As a good problem-solver, you can overcome some of the biggest challenges, and it’s also one of the best skills for overcoming workplace burnout.
Critical thinking is vital
You will need to quickly evaluate many different situations in a medical setting. This includes identifying problems in an instant, then reacting professionally with a suitable solution.
You may need analytical skills
With so much data these days, analysis skills are required for many medical roles. This includes gathering, and interpreting data. This data is then used to come up with effective solutions.
Adaptability is key to survival
Anything can happen in healthcare, and there are always changes. Being flexible enough to adapt with strong mental fortitude helps you rise to meet unexpected and challenging situations.
Staying Organized and Managing Time
Because of the nature of data and the need for efficient practice operations in a healthcare facility, organization and time management skills are a major advantage. Clinics and hospitals are generally pretty busy, highlighting the need for these kinds of skills. Imagine the chaos if a clinic had double bookings, inaccurate invoicing, and unprocessed insurance documents! As an added benefit, you can also learn how to use AI effectively to assist with some of these tasks.
A Career in Healthcare Through Teamwork
A survey of 1,000 workers found that 70% are dissatisfied with teamwork, citing poor collaboration as the main reason. However, in a medical setting, teamwork is critical as there is the possibility of injury or even fatality when something goes wrong. So, consider these:
- With so many challenges, being able to convey accurate information is critical.
- You will often need to coordinate with others to work towards a shared goal.
- A supportive team environment is vital, including respecting backgrounds and skills.
Identifying Professional Technical Skills
You can learn so much about healthcare when you want to enter the sector. However, coming from another professional sector can be a major advantage. For example, you are highly sought after as a cybersecurity expert entering the data-filled world of healthcare, where medical cyber attacks aren’t exactly unheard of! Of course, IT is also a sought-after career transition since most medical establishments operate using complex networks and technical devices.
Summary
Customer service and admin are highly sought-after skills if you are considering a new career in healthcare. However, soft skills such as communication are also among the most requested. You can also transfer solid skills to healthcare coming from an IT or cybersecurity background.
