by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs
While much of the economy falters, the health-care sector remains hot. Why? According to George Rainer, vice president of human resources for Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York, "Health care isn't completely recession-proof, but it's certainly more so than other industries. People get sick, and we have to be here to take care of them -- no matter what the economy looks like."
But what if a career as a hands-on caregiver, such as a physician or nurse, isn't right for you? There are still ways to build a successful career at a medical center near you.
A City Within a City
Rainer, who has worked at Winthrop for 20 years, says, "What a lot of people are unaware of is that hospitals are really small cities. They have just about every job imaginable within the four walls." His colleague Karin Weisenberger, R.N., senior director of human resources, concurs: "We have so many nonclinical positions here, many of which don't require degrees, in service areas as well as clerical positions throughout the hospital. And there are many nonclinical positions in admitting and billing."
There are professional-level positions, too, in administration, education, fundraising, legal, marketing, operations, and quality assurance as well as finance. "Most hospitals have large accounting departments, and it's not always essential to have direct health-care experience," points out Rainer, who was downsized out of a job with one of New York's largest banks in tough economic times two decades ago.
A Matter of Degrees
Because of the array of opportunities at most hospitals, there's a place for holders of a variety of professional degrees. A degree specifically focused on health care, but not caregiving can help you get ahead. Weisenberger notes, "Administrators for most departments have a clinical degree and perhaps a degree in health administration or public health. But you'll also find practice managers at our outpatient facilities who have MBAs or degrees in public health administration."
She also reveals, "We have programs here at our hospital for people in nonclinical positions to go back to school and earn clinical degrees. And some of our nurses are now pursuing nonclinical positions through administrative degrees."
Adds Rainer, "There is a very high emphasis on continuing education when you work in health care."
The Rewards
Working in a hospital isn't right for everyone, but its challenges are far outweighed by its rewards. In addition to stability, there's the "feel-good factor" you'll experience every day. Says Rainer, "There's an intrinsic reward you get from being in the business of helping people. I rarely have patient contact, but I still enjoy the feeling of knowing I am helping people indirectly."
Weisenberger, who's also a trained critical care nurse, says, "I really love my job!" And while you may not be able to snag her precise position, she and Rainer agree that there are no unimportant jobs at any hospital. "Every person here carries a lot of responsibility because nothing must go wrong, whether you're in hospitality, engineering, or in the operating room. There's always an emphasis on quality," Ranier says.
Hiring Hints
You can search Yahoo! HotJobs for jobs at area hospitals, visit each medical center's career section on its website, or peruse newspaper ads for openings. But what if you don't see an opportunity that fits your qualifications? Rainer advises job seekers to drop their resumes off in person at a hospital's human resources department. "HR receptionists are able to pick out people who are a cut above the rest, so there's a higher likelihood that you'll get attention."
Weisenberger, a Winthrop employee for nine years, urges interested candidates to attend local health-care job fairs. "Look in your major local papers, such as The New York Times, for health-care job fairs and see if the hospital you're interested in will be there. Go and you'll have a better chance of getting the ear of someone you might not have had the opportunity to meet at the HR department," she urges.
Also, consider volunteering at a hospital first to see if it's right for you and to stand out as an applicant. Rainer says, "When people volunteer, it's a good indication that they're a cut above other applicants, that they're going above and beyond. We're trying to find those people, the ones who are willing to make a difference."
Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career OpportunityWhile much of the economy falters, the health-care sector remains hot. Why? According to George Rainer, vice president of human resources for Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York, "Health care isn't completely recession-proof, but it's certainly more so than other industries. People get sick, and we have to be here to take care of them -- no matter what the economy looks like."
But what if a career as a hands-on caregiver, such as a physician or nurse, isn't right for you? There are still ways to build a successful career at a medical center near you.
A City Within a City
Rainer, who has worked at Winthrop for 20 years, says, "What a lot of people are unaware of is that hospitals are really small cities. They have just about every job imaginable within the four walls." His colleague Karin Weisenberger, R.N., senior director of human resources, concurs: "We have so many nonclinical positions here, many of which don't require degrees, in service areas as well as clerical positions throughout the hospital. And there are many nonclinical positions in admitting and billing."
There are professional-level positions, too, in administration, education, fundraising, legal, marketing, operations, and quality assurance as well as finance. "Most hospitals have large accounting departments, and it's not always essential to have direct health-care experience," points out Rainer, who was downsized out of a job with one of New York's largest banks in tough economic times two decades ago.
A Matter of Degrees
Because of the array of opportunities at most hospitals, there's a place for holders of a variety of professional degrees. A degree specifically focused on health care, but not caregiving can help you get ahead. Weisenberger notes, "Administrators for most departments have a clinical degree and perhaps a degree in health administration or public health. But you'll also find practice managers at our outpatient facilities who have MBAs or degrees in public health administration."
She also reveals, "We have programs here at our hospital for people in nonclinical positions to go back to school and earn clinical degrees. And some of our nurses are now pursuing nonclinical positions through administrative degrees."
Adds Rainer, "There is a very high emphasis on continuing education when you work in health care."
The Rewards
Working in a hospital isn't right for everyone, but its challenges are far outweighed by its rewards. In addition to stability, there's the "feel-good factor" you'll experience every day. Says Rainer, "There's an intrinsic reward you get from being in the business of helping people. I rarely have patient contact, but I still enjoy the feeling of knowing I am helping people indirectly."
Weisenberger, who's also a trained critical care nurse, says, "I really love my job!" And while you may not be able to snag her precise position, she and Rainer agree that there are no unimportant jobs at any hospital. "Every person here carries a lot of responsibility because nothing must go wrong, whether you're in hospitality, engineering, or in the operating room. There's always an emphasis on quality," Ranier says.
Hiring Hints
You can search Yahoo! HotJobs for jobs at area hospitals, visit each medical center's career section on its website, or peruse newspaper ads for openings. But what if you don't see an opportunity that fits your qualifications? Rainer advises job seekers to drop their resumes off in person at a hospital's human resources department. "HR receptionists are able to pick out people who are a cut above the rest, so there's a higher likelihood that you'll get attention."
Weisenberger, a Winthrop employee for nine years, urges interested candidates to attend local health-care job fairs. "Look in your major local papers, such as The New York Times, for health-care job fairs and see if the hospital you're interested in will be there. Go and you'll have a better chance of getting the ear of someone you might not have had the opportunity to meet at the HR department," she urges.
Also, consider volunteering at a hospital first to see if it's right for you and to stand out as an applicant. Rainer says, "When people volunteer, it's a good indication that they're a cut above other applicants, that they're going above and beyond. We're trying to find those people, the ones who are willing to make a difference."
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