If you search for healthcare jobs in Virginia right now on Indeed, you’ll see over 33,000 open positions, ranging from administrative jobs like scheduling and medical billing and coding to patient care positions like health care screeners, medical assistants and specialized technicians. But if you can’t afford the training to get one of these jobs, what’s the point in searching?
With all the funding available in higher education, now is the best time to consider your training and education options because there is a lot of money up for grabs.
How healthcare jobs are changing
One of the biggest changes to healthcare we’ve seen in the last year or so is virtual care. Virginia’s Community Colleges spoke to representatives at two major healthcare systems in Virginia – Sentara Healthcare and Carilion Clinic – who both said telemedicine has been the biggest change they’ve seen.
“If you look at healthcare in general, we’re seeing more of this virtual care,” said Anna Healy James, senior vice president of government and community relations for Sentara Healthcare. “Telemedicine took off at exponential levels, we’ve been focusing on it for years, but it really took the pandemic to look at new ways to deliver care.”
N.L. Bishop, senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Carilion also added that flexibility and a variety of skills and certifications is also important to adapting to the changing industry.
What to look for when finding a healthcare job
With all those open healthcare jobs, what should you look for when figuring out what you want to do and where you want to work?
- Look at what level of education and certification is required. Some positions may ask for a specific training, for example, phlebotomy. You don’t have to hold an associate degree to become a registered phlebotomist.
- Look at the benefits. Sentara Healthcare, for example, has raised its minimum wages and provides tuition assistance to employees. Also look out for 401(k) plans, paid time off and any scheduling benefits.
- Look at your future. Does the organization allow you to grow and move up through positions? Healthcare is one of those fields where you can earn more and more trainings, which help to advance you up the career ladder – and hopefully a higher salary and a better work/life balance.
“Sentara Healthcare is very excited about the new G3 program and what it’s going to do for the future of this workforce,” added James. “We really hope this is successful as we move forward. There is huge demand in this field and we look forward to seeing these students in our facilities.”
To learn more about G3 funding and what options are available where you live, visit Learn how to Qualify and Programs for more information.
