Making a career change is often a difficult decision for people to make, especially because they wonder if they’re making the right decision and are worried they might find themselves back in the same boat a year after making a career transition.
When considering a career change and going into the medical field, there are a lot of questions you should ask yourself before you take that big step. Below are seven of those questions to contemplate before making any decisions.
1. Do I desire a career change or a new job?
This is the singular most important question to ask yourself before making a change. Being miserable at your current job doesn’t mean you need to change fields—although it might. Evaluate if it’s the actual work you’re doing is boring, you’ve outgrown your position, or if it’s a toxic workplace you desperately want to escape from. Get to the root of your unhappiness and this will help you know what direction to take—basically uncover your passion and then pursue it. Many people find the medical field highly fulfilling.
2. 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 between the normal hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are home just in time for dinner. Or, it could be the available jobs in a hospital involve the overnight shift. No matter the medical career path you take, research the hours of operation of the places you hope to work to ensure that the schedule works best for you and your family.
3. Will a 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 to 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’re helping someone improve their smile. At a pediatric dental office, you’re teaching young people how to properly care for their first set of pearly whites. No matter what the medical or dental job you seek out is, be sure to identify a job where, at the end of the day, you feel a sense of personal satisfaction and pride about the services you provided.
4. Will I have a future in my new field?
Being able to move up the chain of command and earn the money you deserve is important. The more experienced you become in the medical field you choose, the more progressive your career will be over the years. 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, but you are a commodity because you can also draw blood as a phlebotomist or perform an EKG on a patient with chest pain and be able to read the results so quickly that 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? It is the hottest field in the job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the healthcare field are expected to grow 16 percent by 2030—adding a whopping 2.6 million new jobs, much higher than the national average.
5. 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 ultrasound technicians. They use the latest imaging equipment to assist doctors with 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 patient comfortable while also quickly and efficiently locating a vein. Research led by Francisca Then found certain jobs can cause growth in your memory and thinking later in life. Working as a Patient Care Tech allows you to get access to the hands-on and mental challenges you crave which could also help you in the future.
6. Do the people I work with support, encourage, and respect me?
Surrounding yourself with co-workers and team leaders who 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 the learning journey from your experienced co-workers.
It doesn’t matter if you choose Dental Assisting—you can continue to learn from dental hygienists or dentists; Patient Care Technicians continue to learn by working alongside nurse practitioners and physicians in numerous medical settings, and Ultrasound Technicians work with physicians that are waiting on important information. It is critical when you start your medical career that you work alongside individuals who respect you and the service you are there to provide to them and your patients.
7. Can I reasonably obtain the training I need for my new career?
Changing careers isn’t always as simple as sending in resumes to open positions, you’ll need to be qualified. If you’re seeking to move into a medical career, you might not have the required expertise or knowledge to make the transition. Fortunately, you don’t need to enroll for four more years of college if you want to enter the exciting medical field. You can obtain your certification in under one year.
Start your new educational journey today!
At Caris College, we are 100% committed to helping our students obtain the knowledge and skills they need to quickly transition into their new careers once they graduate. Our programs are accredited and are designed to prepare you for any certification exams you’ll need to qualify to work (if applicable).
To learn more about our programs, schedule a tour of Caris College today! Or contact us at 812-952-9791 or via our online form to learn more about how we can help you to get started on the next chapter of your life.