If you’re currently working in a non-healthcare role but looking to transition to a healthcare-related role, you might be wondering what skills and education you’ll need to show potential employers that you are ready for a healthcare career.
Healthcare occupations are expected to grow faster than average compared to most industries as many hospitals and clinics grapple with staff shortages from retirements and burnout. The demand for healthcare professionals will add an estimated 1.8 million new jobs each year over the next decade. It’s a great time to switch to healthcare to help close the gap and fill positions that are necessary and important for the livelihood of individuals in our communities.
Key Skills to Help You Move into a Healthcare Role
Chances are, you already have many transferable skills from previous work or course experience that you can apply in a healthcare setting. Start by reflecting on your past work and identify your core strengths. Durable skills like the ability to communicate, think critically, demonstrate resilience in challenging situations, and being self-aware are important to almost every employer, regardless of industry. Figuring out what you’re good at can also help you determine if you should pursue a role in patient care, research, or administration.
You may also want to ask yourself: “Where do I envision working in five years? 10 years?” While you certainly have the freedom to change jobs throughout your career, imagining yourself in a healthcare environment can give you some insight into what kind of role might be a good fit. For example, in the healthcare field, there are a variety of careers on both the clinical and non-clinical side. Researching some of these roles can give you a better idea of what’s expected of you and where you might be able to work and apply your skills. You’ll also get a better sense of what healthcare career opportunities are available.
Consider Volunteering or Gaining Administrative Experience in Healthcare
If you aren’t sure which area of healthcare you’d like to work in, you could apply to an administrative healthcare role if you are not interested in direct patient care. Jobs like medical office management, health information management, healthcare administration, medical sales, or information technology can give you a chance to see what it’s like working in a healthcare facility. If this is not possible, consider volunteering at a hospital or clinic. This will give you a chance to see what happens in these environments and help you decide whether it’s something you want to pursue.
Continue Your Education and Boost Your Chances of Getting a Great Healthcare Job
If you’re interested in pursuing continuing education to make your dream of working in healthcare a reality, consider an online bachelor’s degree in health sciences or an online credential. Microcredentials, certificates and even degrees can help you gain the skills you’ll need for a successful career in healthcare.
Health science is the application of science to health, including the study of medicine, nutrition, and other health-related topics. A bachelor’s degree in health sciences provides essential healthcare knowledge and skills while building professional skills sought by healthcare employers, such as critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, information literacy, and information management. And, if you pursue your education online, you’ll likely be able to continue working while you study.
Advance Your Career With a Health Sciences Degree Through UW Flexible Option
The UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences through UW Flexible Option is a 100 percent online, competency-based program that can help you earn your degree more quickly than most traditional in-person classroom programs. You can build on skills and knowledge you already have from previous coursework or job experience. Because of the flexibility of this program, you can fit this degree program into your schedule and your life.
UW-Milwaukee also offers the Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare microcredential through UW Flexible Option, which can help you further develop your problem-solving, leadership, communication and teamwork skills to advance your career. In addition, the UW-Milwaukee Health Care Informatics Certificate through UW Flexible Option will help you learn in-demand skills that are at the intersection of information technology and healthcare. Courses in this certificate also apply to the Health Sciences bachelor’s degree, should you decide to pursue a certificate and bachelor’s degree.
Are you interested in furthering your education to land a great job in healthcare? Contact an Enrollment Adviser to assess your unique situation and help you decide if the UW Flexible Option is the right fit for your life. Email us at flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu or call 608-800-6762 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT.