5 things to consider before you take that next step.
When considering a career change there are a lot of questions you should take into consideration before you take that big step. Below are five of those questions you should ask yourself.
Do The Hours Work For Me?
The medical profession you choose determines the time you get to spend at home with your family. For example, as a patient care technician, you could work in a hospital and have options on which shift you work. Maybe you work as a patient care technician in a dialysis center with the normal hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are home just in time for dinner. No matter the medical career path you take, research the hours of operation to ensure it works best for you and your family.
Will This Career Change Give Me Job Satisfaction?
Going to work shouldn’t be something you dread doing. When you wake up in the morning and head into work you should be excited about the difference you are making that day! Most employees in the medical field and dental field seek out a career where they are able to provide a service to other people that positively affects their life.
If you were a dental assistant working at an orthodontics office, you are helping someone improve their smile. At a pediatric dental office you are teaching young people how to properly care for their first set of pearly whites. No matter the medical job or dental job you seek out… be sure to find one that at the end of the day you feel good about the services you gave.
Will I Have A Future There?
Being able to move up the chain of command and earn the money you deserve is important. The more experienced you become, and the longer you work is the key to continuing a successful career in the medical field that is always progressing. If you were to choose a hospital job as a patient care technician your possibilities for growth are endless. Not only are you able to provide patient care to sick or injured patients, you are a commodity because you can also draw blood as a phlebotomist or perform an EKG to a customer with chest pain and be able to read the results so quickly you prevent further damage.
In the medical field or dental field, there are always opportunities to expand your knowledge, earn more certifications and learn from some of the best healthcare providers in the nation. Did you know… the medical field is continually growing with jobs in high demand? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the healthcare field are expected to grow by 18 percent by 2026 – higher than the national average.
Am I Challenging Myself?
When working a job that is boring or unfulfilling, it can start showing through your mood and behaviors – in and out of the office. Working in a field that challenges you to continually grow is a good way to feel fulfilled and accomplished in your work and life. For instance, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are tasked with providing top-notch skills as an ultrasound technician. They are using the latest imaging equipment that will assist doctors in a diagnosis. Every day and every patient needing an ultrasound scan presents a challenge… not one body is shaped the same and hardly any organs are easy to find.
This same challenge is present with patient care technicians: When a patient needs phlebotomy work finding a vein to draw blood from is not simple on everyone. You are faced with the challenge of keeping the customer comfortable while also quickly and efficiently locating a vein. Research led by Francisca Then, found that certain jobs can cause growth in your memory and thinking later in life. Working as a Patient Care Tech allows you to get that challenging, mental a hands-on on tasks that could also help you in the future.
Do the people I work with support, encourage and respect me?
Surrounding yourself with co-workers and team leaders that have your best interest in mind should be a priority. As a healthcare professional working in the medical field, you should seek out a medical career where you are able to utilize what you learned while in college and continue learning from your experienced co-workers.
It doesn’t matter if you choose Dental Assisting – you can continue to learn from dental hygienist or Dentist; Patient Care Technicians continue to learn by working alongside nurse practitioners and physicians in numerous medical settings; and Ultrasound Technicians are working with physicians that are waiting on important information. It is critical when you start your medical career you work alongside individuals who respect you and the service you are there to provide to them and your patients.
To learn more about our Patient Care Technician, Comprehensive Dental Assisting, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography (also known as Ultrasound Technicians) programs schedule a tour of Caris College today!