In Australia, the health care and social assistance sector is the largest employing industry in Australia.  In 2020 there were over 1.7 million people employed in this industry, which is projected to increase to more than 1.9 million by 2024.

With such a rise predicted, there’s never been a better time to work in the industry. For existing employees, the opportunities to progress further are endless, as are the opportunities to switch jobs within healthcare. But how do you go about this?

Believe in your abilities

When looking to fill a role, employers very often value an applicant’s experience over their previous job titles. If you’re the right fit for an organisation and your experience shows that you fill most of the job criteria, you’re in with a good chance of getting the position.

When searching for a new role don’t be put off by titles or the fear that you may not be good enough. Currently working in the healthcare industry already means you have valuable transferable skills.

Build on your previous education

If you’re looking to move into a more senior role or a role within a different healthcare sector you may need to upskill.

Upskilling may take the form of further education or some extra work experience within a relevant organisation.

Reach out to suitable local employers to see if they offer any work experience options and contact higher education institutes to discuss what relevant study they offer.

Tap into your network

Sometimes employers don’t advertise job positions because they have internal candidates who are already keen, or they have someone in mind outside the organisation. Keeping in close contact with people in the industry is a good way to be that someone.

Whether in person or online, let your contacts know that you’re looking for work and the type of experience you have. A referral from them can stand you in good stead for getting that dream role.

Talk to some recruiters

Register with some healthcare recruiters as they’re often the first to know about upcoming and existing job opportunities. As well as being in the know about current market trends, a good recruiter can offer you advice on salaries, skill requirements and job hunting.

Touch base with your recruiters regularly to ensure you’re top of mind when the right role comes through their door. Register for any employment newsletters or alerts too.

Do your research

To ensure that you’re making the right move by switching roles, do your research beforehand.  Think about why you want to move into a new role, what skills and experience you’re hoping to gain and what you don’t want to do.

It’s also important to consider the size of the organisation that you’d like to work for and whether their culture and values align with yours.

Focus on your transferable skills

Working within the healthcare industry means that you’ll already have experience dealing with patients, clients, or participants. Consequently, there are several solid transferable skills that you can offer a new employer.

When job hunting, look for roles where you can transfer your existing skills. Think about skills such as communication, organisation, decision making, management, decision making, planning and empathy.

Switching jobs within healthcare enables you to remain in the industry you love while furthering your career, increasing your earning potential, and continuing to make a difference to people’s lives. There’s never been a better time to make the switch.

Author - Unidex Healthcare