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Have you always wanted to work in healthcare but can’t stand the sight of blood or the prospect of several years of schooling? Well, good news — you don’t have to be a medical professional to land a great job in the field.
Healthcare companies like BioFire Defense offer job opportunities in areas like manufacturing, engineering, software development, sales, marketing, IT/IS, accounting and more. So even without a healthcare background, you can enjoy healthcare industry benefits like potentially lucrative pay and job security, all while making a positive difference in others’ lives.
Healthcare workers are always in high demand. In fact, healthcare positions account for half of the fastest growing occupations in the workforce, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a variety of positions to match different levels of education and personality types, there’s something right for you.
If you’re considering breaking into the healthcare field and don’t know where to start, here are some tips for helping you land a great job.
Assess your skills
Even if you have zero medical knowledge and training, there are probably many skills that would qualify you for a career in the healthcare field.
Aside from doctors and nurses, healthcare jobs also include receptionists, human resource specialists, IT professionals, accounting and finance positions, sales and marketing jobs and administrative roles, just to name a few.
Verywell Health recommends considering the skills you have that might translate into a role that could support the healthcare field. And don’t worry if you don’t land your dream job right away — getting your foot in with an entry-level position could open the door to further opportunities down the line.
Network
As with most job opportunities, it often comes down to who you know, not what you know. If you’re serious about a career in healthcare, network with others in the field, both online and face-to-face.
Finding a well-connected person in the healthcare industry who can act as a mentor will go a long way in boosting your job opportunities.
As for online connections, the Center for Allied Health Education suggests creating a professional social media profile to network with healthcare professionals. Include a resume, a professional-looking photo and recommendations from former teachers and employers, if possible. Time spent on a carefully crafted LinkedIn profile might prove to be the difference in whether you’re hired for a particular job.
Also, remember that potential employers will most likely do a web search of your name and view your social media profiles, so be mindful of what you post.
Gain experience
Even if you've never had a job in healthcare, there are ways of ensuring your resume stands out above other potential candidates. Anything that highlights your experience or interaction with healthcare professionals can give you an advantage with potential employers, according to Top Resume.
This might include volunteering at a clinic or retirement home, collecting medical supplies for at-risk areas or reading to children in the hospital.
Internships are another way to gain hands-on experience and will help you get a feel for what it’s like to work in healthcare.
If you’re looking to gain experience in the healthcare field, consider a career with BioFire Defense. Offering an array of job opportunities, including manufacturing, engineering, software development, sales, marketing, IT/IS, accounting and more, BioFire is looking for people who want to help make the world a better, healthier place.
If you are resourceful, think outside the box and are passionate about what you do, apply for a position with BioFire Defense.