Current trends in the health care support industry

The health care industry is the fastest growing industry in the US. It’s no longer restricted to hospitals. The aim is to bring basic preventive health care to homes and community health centers. All these factors would increase the demand for health care support workers.

Right from technical professionals to medical assistants, there are almost 31,000 occupations in this industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there would be a 16% increase in jobs by 2030.

6 of the top skills needed for health care support jobs

Although a health care support professional does not need medical knowledge, they need to acquire some technical skills. It is also imperative to have specific soft skills to flourish in this field.

Knowing about medical procedures like endoscopy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, appendix surgery and general pediatric surgery and explaining the procedures to patients would comfort them and ensure their satisfaction.

Here are six of the top skills that are essential for health care support jobs:

• Analytical mindse

  A hospital or health care facility is likely to face issues every day. A good health care support worker, especially at the administrative level, should have the skills to analyze the problem, come up with solutions and resolve the issue on time. An analytical professional would also find it easy to understand, adapt and abide by current regulations and new policies.

• Verbal communication

  Effective communication skills are essential for all professionals who are an integral part of health care. Health care support workers have to communicate with patients and their families from diverse backgrounds, especially when dealing with difficult situations. Effective communication skills with colleagues and team members are also essential at the managerial level.

• Adept at using technology

  The health care industry is technologically-driven, and a health care support professional has to learn the latest software such as EHR or Electronic Health Records to maintain patient records. Apart from this, you will also have to master billing and coding software for the smooth functioning of your working facility.

• Flexible schedules

  Flexibility is an important skill to have if you are planning to become a health care support worker. You need to be prepared to work night shifts or even start your work early in the morning. Professionals also have to adapt to the different situations in the hospital or health care setup to create the best outcome possible for the patients.

• Medical procedures knowledge

  Certain jobs in the health care support industry require you to have technical knowledge. For instance, as a phlebotomist, you would need to draw blood from the patient’s veins. Similarly, radiologic and MRI technologists need to operate the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanners. In contrast, clinical laboratory technologists and technicians collect samples (tissue, body fluids and other substances) for testing.

• Detail-oriented

  Paperwork is an essential part of all health care support jobs. You would have to log or record patient details, prescribed medicines and allotted procedures accurately. In the medical field, a patient’s life can depend on small factors, which is why you need to pay close attention to the small details.

Educational requirements for health care support jobs

To work in the health care support industry, a high school diploma or GED certificate along with on-the-job training is adequate for an entry-level position. However, most other health care support jobs require the professionals to have a certification, associate degree, bachelor’s degree and sometimes even a master’s degree.

Medical technicians are experts in their field of specialization. Technicians are essential for conducting tests that help in diagnosing a patient’s disease. Individuals looking for a career as a medical technician can go for professional certification courses offered by the American Medical Technologies or the American Association of Medical Assistants. These certifications would add credibility to your technical skills and help you earn a higher salary as well.

If you are interested in building a career in health care management, a professional degree or a certificate course is expected by most hospitals and health care facilities. The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) and American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offer e-learning courses, certification opportunities, seminars and conferences for professionals.