Women made big gains in employment and wages for health care support jobs, a career field that remained essential throughout the pandemic.
While women made employment and wage gains in key health care support roles in 2020, men made even bigger gains, exacerbating pay inequality in the sector, according to a LiveCareer analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
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Demand for health care support professionals continues to rise, with home health and community rehabilitation services set to grow as much as 25% by 2029. While many roles in this sector require advanced education, several entry points are more accessible and decently paid. Here are a few options to investigate as you look for work in the field.
4 health care support jobs women can get now
1. Medical assistant. This role provides support for both administrative and clerical tasks in the medical sector. Medical assistants should have good communication skills and analytical skills, along with being organized and flexible. Some more advanced duties for this role include providing assistance during medical examinations, preparing medical samples for laboratory testing, managing appointment schedules, and assisting patients with their billing queries. To advance further, they should also know how to operate some medical equipment, such as EKG or X-ray machines.
2. Medical receptionist. The main responsibility for this position is facilitating the front desk at a clinic or a hospital. They are tasked with managing schedules and appointments, helping patients with required paperwork, and assisting doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed to succeed in this role.
3. Home health aide. Providing care and assistance to patients who have chronic illnesses, injuries, disabilities, or age-related challenges inside the patient's home is the duty of these aides. They monitor the patient's condition and help them complete daily activities. They provide support to both the patient and the family to manage and ease the patient's conditions. If you are well organized and adept at providing care for others, this booming role could be ideal for you, as more people seek compassionate at-home care for their loved ones.
4. Patient coordinator. The primary point of contact between health care professionals and patients in a medical facility is the patient coordinator. Administrative tasks such as greeting visitors, answering calls, responding to inquiries, managing schedules, arranging appointments, processing payments, gathering information, and keeping records are essential duties for this role. More advanced skills are required for setting treatment plans and discussing necessary information with patients and their families regarding medications, procedures, and care according to a physician's assessment.
How to write a health care support resume
Now you're ready to write your resume. There are three different resume formats you'll want to consider:
Functional resume format: Best when you're new to the industry or have significant gaps in employment
Jobs in this field are centered around both customer service and organization. A functional resume can help put forward those skills even if you have little experience in the sector. Make sure to include specific requirements from the job posting like "excellent time management skills" or "patient-focused care."
Here's an example of what a functional resume might look like:
Combination resume format: Perfect when you want to put equal emphasis on your skills and work experience
Combination resumes are an excellent way to emphasize relevant work experiences and key skills. Remember to refer to words and phrases that align with both the job description and your skills. Also, be sure to confirm all factual data, such as past employers and education credentials.
Here's an example of what a combination resume might look like:
Chronological resume format: Great when you can show solid career progression and clear achievements
Chronological resumes showcase your accomplishments and stellar work experience in one place. If you are looking to move ahead, be sure to emphasize managerial abilities (e.g., organizing weekly staff meetings), continue to gain knowledge of medical equipment and terminology, and mention any relevant certifications.
Here's an example of what a chronological resume might look like:
How to explain employment gaps on a health care support resume
Facility closures, administrative restructuring and personal safety concerns have all contributed to recent troubles in the industry, but since the demand for personal home care is expected to outpace the demand for care services and medical administrative work, employment gaps are not a huge problem. There will be ample opportunities to re-enter the workforce or find a more suitable position.
However, it is still essential to show how you filled the gaps in your resume. It doesn't necessarily have to be freelance or gig work that filled your time; many things can contribute to your candidacy, including:
- Pursuing certification opportunities online such as:
- Show your essential and in-demand soft skills by citing customer service skills, organizational prowess, or other in-demand industry markers like bookkeeping, typing skills, research abilities, and basic medical knowledge.
- Mention any service you've done for your family, such as taking care of an elder or child, including specific skills you picked up in the process.
Find a health care support job with a flexible schedule
Finding a flexible role on the administrative side of health care support has gotten easier with more opportunities to work from home. Yet the more advanced duties that come with assisting medical professionals do require specialized certifications and knowledge. To find a health care support role that best fits your schedule try using these industry-exclusive job boards: Jobs In Healthcare.com, Medical Jobs.org, and Health Careers.com.
Certifications and direct patient experience enhance mobility in this industry. Aspiring health care support professionals should be aware of the long hours and high emotional investment that come with the duties of this field. The chance for career advancement, coupled with an opportunity to build essential skills, make this a viable option for a new career. So if you enjoy helping others and are analytically and interpersonally skilled, this is the field for you.
