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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.

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.