In fact, health care is expected to create more jobs than any other industry over the next few years. And many of those health-care jobs offer good pay and job security, and require only a few months or years of training.
But if you've never worked in the health field, how do you break in? These tips from real health workers can help get you on the right path.
1. Volunteer
"Volunteering gave me the experience to move into a paid position."
-- Jackie, Nursing Attendant, Huntington Beach, CA
Volunteering at a hospital or health clinic is a great way to gain experience, enhance your resume, and find out what working in health care is really like. Most hospitals post information about volunteer opportunities on their website.
2. Get Your Foot in the Door
"If you're not sure about wanting to become a medical assistant, start out in reception or billing to get a feel for how medical offices work."
-- Nicole, Medical Assistant, Santa Barbara, CA
You don't need any special training to work as a receptionist at a doctor's or dentist's office, and it can be a great way to learn how medical offices work. That experience will give you a leg up if you decide to transition to another health job later on.
3. Ask Questions
"While working as a medical records clerk at a hospital, I made friends with some of the pharmacy technicians. Learning about their jobs got me to consider something totally different -- especially once they told me how much money they make. I decided to enroll in an eight-month training program to become a pharmacy technician."
-- Lovelace, Pharmacy Technician, Milpitas, CA
Once you get your foot in the door, a big benefit is meeting other people who work in health care. By asking them or people you already know about their jobs, you can learn more about where your interests and skills fit. Talking to people who work in the type of job you want is also a good way to prepare for an interview. Employers are always impressed if you walk in knowing a bit about the job.
4. Pick the Right Program
"I've been with the same clinic where I did my training externship -- they actually hired me after my first day on the job -- for seven years."
-- Eli, Lead Medical Assistant, Sacramento, CA
Once you decide which health job you want, it's important to pick the right training program. Be sure to ask whether there are opportunities to get hands-on experience, and what the program will do to help you find a job once you finish. Another good indicator of where you'll end up is to ask where the program's graduates are working now.
5. Highlight What You Do Know
"I grew up caring for my grandmother, so becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant was not a stretch for me. And I know there will always be a demand for my skills."
-- Tonica, Certified Nurse Assistant, San Francisco
Even if you've never worked in health care, you may know more than you think. If you're a lifeguard and have CPR training, you've already got some of the basics for a health job. Or perhaps you have experience from babysitting jobs, or taking care of a sick parent or grandparent at home. When preparing to look for a health-care job, don't just think about your work experience. There are lots of places in your life that you may have gained relevant skills you can talk about in an interview.
