June 7, 2023
If you have a knack for working with people and thrive in environments that change day to day, a career in healthcare might just be your calling. The healthcare sector offers an unparalleled opportunity to impact lives, with every shift presenting new challenges and learning experiences.
Still, it’s not something anyone can do. Working in healthcare comes with plenty of benefits, but it’s also a highly demanding career, regardless of your job title and role. To thrive as a healthcare worker, you need to develop a very specific set of skills. And this is what we’ll talk about today - the most essential skills for healthcare workers.
The field of healthcare is ripe with possibilities. There are plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth, and the potential for a rewarding salary is quite high. Careers range from hands-on patient care to the intricacies of health administration, each offering a different avenue to make a substantial impact. Grasping various risks in healthcare is essential for effective risk management.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average Registered Nurse (RN) can earn north of $75,000 annually, and a licensed physical therapist, holding a DPT degree, has a median annual wage of $99,000, while specialised practitioners easily surpass six figures. The variety extends not just to roles but also environments – you can choose between hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and more.
However, this career path isn't without its tests. Long hours are common as healthcare professionals frequently clock more than your typical 40-hour week. You also need emotional fortitude since facing life-and-death situations can weigh heavily on your psyche.
Additionally, staying current requires ongoing education to keep pace with medical advancements - a commitment that is both time-intensive and essential. Luckily, it’s now possible to do a lot of the courses and programs online. Everything from EMT test prep to paramedic medication exams is now much more accessible thanks to all the progress made in the field of online education
If, despite these considerations, the fulfilment derived from aiding others outweighs the drawbacks, you may be cut for a career in healthcare.
When it comes to healthcare, some people are a better fit for the field than others. However, there are several non-negotiable skills that every professional must master to effectively perform their role.
Below, you can find five of the most important skills, so before starting on this path, check to see if you have what it takes.
This is an absolute non-negotiable! The ability to communicate clearly and concisely is a must-have when working with people. Good communication skills help you connect with patients, colleagues, superiors, other professionals in the field, and so on.
In a realm where details save lives, mastery of verbal and written communication assures that medical histories are understood, procedures are explained, and care teams operate in unison. Such proficiency can reduce errors and dramatically improve patient outcomes.
For instance, if you’re interested in phlebotomy career options, you should also develop your communication skills. While the position may not involve in-depth medical techniques, your job also involves observing the patients and learning about their problems and needs.
In healthcare, time flows differently. You’re always juggling patient appointments, administrative tasks, learning, and a million other things on your daily to-do list. Effective time management skills can save you from feeling overwhelmed by this fast-paced environment where everything takes priority.
The secret to effective time management is learning how to prioritise. This way, you can allocate your energies to what matters most, like the patient in urgent need or the test that can’t be postponed.
Prioritising is more than making lists; it's about meaningful action where it counts.
Any experienced clinician will affirm that effective treatment begins with effective listening. Active listening is a potent tool, oft-underestimated yet intrinsic to patient care - a critical skill that goes far beyond mere hearing.
Mastering this tool will help you earn your patients’ trust and be more accurate with your diagnostics. In turn, these will contribute to your career success.
In healthcare, you’re rarely working alone. You need to consult with colleagues, you work with various other professionals, and you need the support of your assistants. Each day, you encounter challenges and hurdles that no human can face alone, which is why everyone works as a team.
Plus, teamwork can elevate patient care beyond individual capabilities. To be a good teamwork player, learn to respect the diversity and skills of other people. Each team member has specific roles and values, and their differences help improve problem-solving capacities and patient care.
A strong problem-solving ability is needed to mitigate challenges creatively and improvise in real time (a very valuable skill in healthcare).
Most tasks in this field, from handling emergencies or developing patient care strategies to navigating administrative labyrinths, require a problem-solving mindset. The capacity to evaluate situations, weigh options, and execute decisions is paramount in ensuring high-quality care delivery amidst the dynamic ebbs and flows of healthcare settings.
The dynamic and immense healthcare sector calls for those ready to harness their potential through dedicated service - where human connection meets scientific endeavour, where every day promises growth.
So, if you’re passionate about it, why wait?
Jump onto these elemental skills and polish them like the tools they will become. In doing so, you're not just preparing for a job; you're gearing up for a vocation that reverberates with meaning at every heartbeat.
