Do you feel called to help people live healthy lives? Whether you want to treat children or adults, consult with patients or deliver treatment, there’s sure to be a career path for you. The medical field is growing with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting more than 2.4 million new jobs in the area by 2030. This leads to greater demand for experienced and skilled professionals for various job positions related to medical diagnosis and treatment.
This comprehensive guide is a source for insights on careers in the medical industry and can aid you in writing a competitive resume tailored to the field. Read on to start by understanding the three different resume formats you can choose from and identify which one is best for your experience level and qualifications.
More Medical job titles
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Creative Medical Guide
- Dialysis Technician
- Director Of Operations
- Doctor
- EKG Technician
- Grant Assistant
- Healthcare Administrator
- Healthcare Management
- Hospice Administrator
- Hospital Administrator
- Medical Coder
- Medical Technologist
- Ophthalmic Technician
- Paramedic
- Phlebotomist
- Physician
- Public Health Manager
- Surgical Technician
- Technician Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Cover Letter Examples
- Anesthesiologist Cover Letter
- Free Clinical Research Associate Cover Letter
- Free Medical Sales Representative Cover Letter
- Free Physician Cover Letter
- Medical Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
- Medical Doctor Cover Letter
- Medical Office Manager Cover Letter
- Medical Records Clerk Cover Letter
- Medical Representative Cover Letter
- Professional EMT Cover Letter
- Professional Optician Cover Letter
- Professional Paramedic Cover Letter
Current trends impacting medical jobs
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used for diagnosis and predictive analysis to virtual consultation using telehealth, the medical industry has recently seen a massive technological boom with the unprecedented increase in the aging population, a demand for more workers in the medical industry will be seen. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in the health care sector are expected to grow by 16% from 2020 to 2030. With over 20 million employees currently in service and counting, the health care and social assistance industry have surpassed other business sectors. Keeping up with the latest technological advancements and learning to overcome the new challenges emerging with the rise of virtual consultations is essential for anyone in this field.
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Average salaries and employment outlook for medical workers
The medical sector offers a wide range of employment opportunities such as physicians, surgeons, registered nurses, lab technicians, assistants and managers. The average annual salary of a health care practitioner is $69,870, which is quite higher than the median annual pay of all occupations. However, a medical support worker’s median annual pay is only $29,960, with more employment opportunities around the corner, there’s a promising future for medical workers.
Here is information on the salary and employment outlook of different job roles in the medical industry:
Medical or hospital-level aides
Healthcare centers employ medical aides to help manage the process of dealing with hundreds of patients every day. This includes hospital-level aides such as receptionists and home health aides who monitor the patient’s health at their home. Both part-time and full-time employment of medical aides are in prevalence.
Job Outlook 2020–2030
Medical Receptionist
The employment of receptionists is expected to grow by 4% by 2030 with most receptionists employed in health care industries.
Home Health Aide
With the aging population growing, the employment of home health aides is projected to surge by 33% from 2020 to 2030 which is much faster than other occupations.
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Professionals in this category include specialists who consult with patients and treat ailments ranging from a cold to renal failure. Some of the jobs available are doctors, pediatricians, optometrists, dialysis technicians and speech pathologists. Many more professionals specialize in different areas in the medical field but here we’ll look at the projections and salary for the ones just mentioned.
Job Outlook 2020–2030
Dialysis Technician
Roles for health technologists and technicians are projected to grow by 1.6%. The employment of dialysis technicians is expected to have an 11% increase from the years 2018 to 2028.
Optometrist
The employment of optometrists is projected to grow by 9% between 2020-2030.
Speech Language Pathologist
The employment outlook for speech language pathologists is projected to grow much faster than average, with a 29% increase in jobs between 2020 to 2030.
Pediatrician
With the increase in older populations and the decrease in birth rates, pediatricians won’t see as much growth as other health care professionals. However, projections from 2020 to 2030 expect a 4% increase in pediatricians’ job outlook.
Doctor
Surprisingly, the projections for physicians are a 3% growth by 2030, which is slower than average.
Source: Health Technologists and Technicians: Occupational Employment and Wages (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), Dialysis Technicians: Payscale, Medical Technology Programs, Learn.org
Source: Optometrists: Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S. Labor of Statistics)
Source: Speech-language Pathologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Source: Pediatricians: Occupational Employment and Wages (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Source: Physicians and Surgeons: Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Six of the top soft skills needed for medical jobs
There are a plethora of career opportunities in the health care field, and they all require excellent technical and soft skills. Professionals in this industry must have the ability to accurately diagnose and treat patients with tact and friendliness as they may interact with patients of all ages and backgrounds.
The wide-scale advancement in technology for the medical industry requires employees to keep up-to-date with the new developments and strive to continue their education regularly.
Though there are specific technical skills for each area of specialization, the following soft skills are common for all health care practitioners and technicians.
Problem-solving
Working in the health care industry means that you must be excellent at solving problems. Determining the possible cause of a symptom or illness, establishing a diagnosis and developing a treatment plan all require strong problem-solving skills and expertise in the specific area you work in. Sometimes treatment plans don’t work and you must use your critical thinking and research skills to find alternative solutions.Being caring
The ultimate goal of a health care professional is to ensure that patients can live a healthy life by providing them with the care they need. Other than the technical training for each specific job within the industry, care is provided through compassion. Caring for your patients’ well-being is essential for providing quality treatment. A few ways to implement care is by prioritizing the patient’s needs and advocating for them. Treating your patients and getting to know them through the process, not just addressing their symptoms makes for an excellent health care provider.Active listening
One of the most important skills that professionals in the health care field must have is active listening. This skill is necessary to accurately understand what symptoms a patient may be experiencing, which factors of their lifestyle and diet may be causing their symptoms and address their concerns. This is especially important when dealing with patients who are children, elders, or have an impediment that makes communicating challenging.Clear and amiable communication
Because health care providers work with many patients and co-workers on a daily basis, it’s normal that they’ll encounter people from all walks of life. In order to ensure that people who aren’t trained in medicine can understand the diagnostics, instructions and recommendations given, you must demonstrate effective communication skills. These skills will also come in handy when communicating with co-workers, both from within your team, another department or another facility. Effective communication can prevent misunderstandings, a problem that may have severe consequences if treatment was delivered erroneously or difficult news is delivered coldly.Interpersonal skills
Having to deal with a diverse population every day, health care practitioners must develop strong interpersonal skills to interact with everyone they meet. This skill allows medical professionals to provide emotional support, build trust, collaborate with co-workers to carry out treatment plans, be sociable and help patients feel comfortable. Building positive relationships with patients may also boost loyalty and make them want to come back to your office.Patience and attentiveness
Medical workers must exhibit patience to effectively work with patients and staff. They must carefully listen to their patient’s needs, meticulously gather the patient's medical information, understand the severity of their health condition, clarify their doubts and explain the treatment plans. Also, it’s important to observe good bedside manners to gain the trust of the patients of various age groups.
Educational requirements for medical jobs
Education is an integral part of a medical worker’s qualifications, most health care practitioners, technicians and administrators require a bachelor’s degree in medical-related fields like biology or health sciences. The requirement of a master’s degree varies with each role. For instance, practicing physicians and surgeons need a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree and a residency with or without a fellowship in their desired area of specialization, registered nurses must complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and other technicians must have an appropriate bachelor’s or master’s degree in medical technology. Certain roles like receptionist or home health aide do not need a college degree and candidates with a high school diploma or GED are accepted.
The most significant part of medical practice is to attain a state-issued license. For that, you must pass national examinations such as:
Nurses: National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
Physicians and surgeons: United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
Lab Technicians: Medical Lab Technician (MLT) by American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
Additionally, there are specific certifications that demonstrate your proficiency in your area of specialization. Some common certifications are on occupational safety for health care, which are offered by various universities and education centers under the OSHA standards.
Medical resume examples by experience level
Recruiters only take a few seconds to look over your resume and decide whether to pass you to the next level of recruitment or not. So, it’s important to make your resume a competitive one. For that, you need to identify your best professional features and display them in your resume.
Before writing your resume, make a list of your skills and any previous work experience. This step will help you decide on the best resume format for you. The below section breaks down the process of choosing the right resume format based on your unique qualifications.
Dialysis Technician
Chiropractor
Optometrist
Three tips to stand out and get the job you want
Write an engaging resume.
It is important to choose the best resume format for you, your qualifications and your intentions. Write the content using keywords from the job description of the role for which you’re applying. Format your resume with a presentable layout and make sure to proofread your writing before sending it. You can use a grammar and spelling checker such as the one integrated into Word and Google Docs, or an external one like Grammarly. You can also compose an engaging and matching cover letter to accompany your resume mentioning your qualifications along with an introduction of who you are as a professional.Focus on continual learning.
The medical sector is the fastest-growing among all other business sectors in the USt and this is due to emerging technology. Staying up-to-date on current technological advancements and continuing your education are a must to excel in this field. Pay attention to the latest trends in the health care sector and get the training or certification programs relevant to your role to stay ahead of the curve and progress in your career. Demonstrating you are a perpetual learner and staying current in the industry lets employers see you as a high-quality candidate.Prepare for the interview.
The final and most intimidating part of recruitment is the interview. Chatting with the interviewer doesn’t have to be a daunting task. You can ace the process and come out with a job offer if you prepare well. Below are a few tips for facing interviews with confidence:
Recall your previous achievements: Ensure that you make a list of all the achievements, awards, certifications and positive reviews you have obtained in your previous work and educational experience. Go through this before the interview to quickly and easily point out your strengths by giving examples of a time when you applied your knowledge and skills.
Answer the most-asked interview questions: Look for how to answer commonly asked interview questions for your role and prepare your answers. You can also find websites that provide captivating answers to challenging questions to help you structure your answers.
Stay current: Stay updated on the latest news about the medical industry and your role until the interview day. Research on the topic and learn the details about improvements or changes in technology or medical standards to be ready to prove your knowledge on upcoming advancements.
FAQ about the medical industry
What are some of the nontechnical career options in the medical industry?
The medical industry employs receptionists to manage the front desk operations and answer calls. Many health care centers employ home health aides to monitor and take care of patients at their homes. With the rise in the aging population, administrative job roles such as nursing home administrators and clinic/hospital managers have become important to manage large numbers of patients and medical records.
What is the appropriate length of a resume?
The length of your resume may vary based on your work experience, educational background and skill set. It is advised to write a one page resume. If writing more,it is necessary to write concise content that encompasses all the necessary information and does not exceed two pages. Recruiters don’t read lengthy or wordy content, however, in the medical field you may be asked for a curriculum vitae (CV) instead of a resume. A CV allows you space to go into more detail about the specifics of your training, scientific contributions and research. In the case of being asked for a CV, you can have up to three pages.
How can I write an effective objective statement?
Your objective statement will be the first section of your resume and it must catch the recruiter’s attention. The objective statement must summarize your professional goals and aspirations. It must be a short paragraph with three to four sentences that highlights your expertise and your career plans for the role. Use keywords related to the medical field and keep it engaging. Some keywords used in the medical field are: treating patients, disease determination and condition monitoring. If you want more examples of keywords, our Resume Builder provides you with examples of responsibilities and skills common to your job position.
Is it necessary to give my full residential address?
It is not mandatory to give your full address due to security reasons. You can mention the city, state, ZIP code and country but leave out the specific details of the street and building name.
Can I include nonwork or volunteering experience?
Yes. Including volunteering or teaching experience can strengthen your resume. However, remember that it is not mandatory to add the nonwork experience if it increases the length of your resume and you already have a considerable amount of information provided.