From the new health care reform legislation to the transition to electronic medical records, the health care industry has changed dramatically in recent times. So if you’ve been out of the mix for a while (whether working in another industry or at home, raising a family) and you’re considering re-entering the health care industry, what can you do to get up to speed and get a great job?

Tip #1: Determine the Kind of Position You Want.

As one of the leading Sacramento, California medical employment agencies, Pacific Staffing can tell you that you should determine the kind of job you want before you start your search. For instance, are you looking to land a similar position to the one you held last? Or would you rather find an opportunity that offers more flexible hours, is part-time, or has you working with a particular demographic? The more strategic and targeted your approach to your job search is, the better the results will be.

Tip #2: Get Re-Connected.

Join an industry association or get back into contact with old colleagues to talk about the industry, what’s changed and what hasn’t. You may even want to schedule an informational interview with another health care professional who’s working in the kind of job you think you want, or volunteer for an organization you’re interested in working for. That way, you’ll be able to confirm if your career ambitions are on target.

Tip #3: Make Sure You’re “In the Know.”

A lot may have changed since you last worked in health care. So make sure you’re “in the know” about the latest challenges and trends in the health care industry, particularly those impacting your specific field, whether it’s nursing, allied health, or insurance. To do so, subscribe to industry publications, join an association, attend conferences or seminars, read books, and conduct online research.

Tip #4: Sharpen Your Existing Skills or Gain New Ones.

Depending on when you last worked in health care, you may need to sharpen old clinical or computer skills or gain new ones. Whether you need to take a refresher course, or need to get re-licensed, do your homework ahead of time so that when the right opportunity comes along, you’re ready for it.

Tip #5: Focus on Your Unique Value on Your Resume.

Because you’ve been out of the industry for a while, you may want to focus more on highlighting accomplishments, qualifications, unique abilities, and continuing education, rather than listing your work history first in chronological order, like on a traditional resume. For instance, create a Summary of Qualifications with a bullet point list at the top of your resume where you include these details, then list your work history after.

Also, if you’ve been working out of the health care field for a while, be sure to showcase your relevant transferable skills, such as the customer service or leadership abilities you’ve gained.

While it may take a bit of time to prepare for your re-entry into the health care job market, if you take the steps above, you’ll be ready once the right job comes along.

Want Professional Job Search Help?

Let Pacific Staffing know. As one of the leading Sacramento, California medical employment agencies, we work with top health care employers in the area and can match you with a job opportunity that’s right for you. Contact Pacific Staffing today to learn more.