What is Job Security and Why is it Important?
Job security is the probability that an individual will keep his or her job without the risk of becoming unemployed. Healthcare workers who have a sense of job security will be more productive knowing the knowledge and skills they have as well as the commitment to provide the best patient care is valued and needed by their employers.
Job security is important to both the employee and the employer. It is important to the employee for the obvious reason; financial stability. Knowing you can rely on the stability of your career choice helps employees to make lifelong decisions such as “When can I afford to purchase a house?”, “Can I afford to further my education?”, or “Am I ready to start a family?”.
When employers communicate to their employees that their jobs are safe, that can create loyalty among employees. It creates a drive for them to continue to work hard and be productive.
How Do You Achieve Job Security in the Healthcare Field?
Starting a career in the healthcare field has many benefits. Not only are you able to follow your passion for patient care but you are on a career path that will be in high demand for many years to come. Trained and certified healthcare professionals as well as those working in education, government, and law enforcement have the highest levels of job security.
- Know how to communicate with your employers. Being able to talk to and communicate well with your employer and coworkers is important in healthcare. Many jobs such as dental assisting, medical assisting, and practical nursing require communication and understanding between the different doctors, assistants, and patients. Communication is key in every organization and at every job, especially in healthcare when providing care for others.
- Stay on top of your commitments. Make sure you stay on top of your work. Working in healthcare can be overwhelming and tasks can pile up quickly. Most medical facilities are fast-paced with high patient volume ranging from day-to-day care or medical emergencies. Utilizing practical skills such as organization, teamwork, and communication will make it easier for you to not fall behind on your responsibilities.
- Stand out and use your expertise. Produce work that is above and beyond what others would do. In healthcare, you can be certified in a different specialty, use that to your advantage. Find your expertise and show it off.
- Grow your skillset and broaden your horizons. The advantage of starting a career in healthcare is there is always room to grow. You could practice being proficient at a particular skill such as phlebotomy or you could further your education into a new healthcare career. Angie F., medical assisting instructor and externship coordinator at MedQuest College, started her career with a degree in Medical Assisting. “After working as a medical assistant, I knew I wanted to do more so I went back to school to become a practical nurse. With my education and experience as a Medical Assistant and Practical Nurse, I was able to further my career by teaching healthcare to students just like me.”
- Be willing to help others and have a positive attitude. This is very important in healthcare because this field of work requires teamwork. Medical professionals rely on help and support from coworkers to ensure each patient receives the best quality care in a timely manner. Being a team player can help you achieve job security.
MedQuest Career Paths That Can Provide Job Security
Dental Assisting
MedQuest College has a 10-month diploma program for Expanded Duties Dental Assistants. Dental Assistants are highly trained and skilled to perform a large range of tasks from office duties to assisting the Dental Hygienist and Dentists with procedures. Dental Assistants responsibilities include operating dental x-ray equipment, creating dental models, applying sealants, fluoride varnish, and coronal polishing, filling cavities, fabricating and placing temporary crowns, and recording patient medical history.
Medical Assisting
MedQuest College has a 10-month diploma program for Medical Assisting. Medical Assistants provide direct care to patients and support other healthcare professionals. Medical Assistants assist Physicians, set up and administer EKGs (Electrocardiogram), phlebotomy (drawing and giving injections), collect specimens for analysis, help coordinate lab samples, prepare for exam room visits, go over patient medical history, take patient vital signs, and manage electronic medical records.
Practical Nursing
MedQuest College has a 12-month diploma program for Licensed Practical Nursing. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides support for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Physicians to ensure records are kept updated. That the communication between the doctor and patient is clear and consistent. Also, they help educate the patients and their families and help them understand procedures and how to care for their sick relatives. LPNs maintain patient history, provide routine care, record vital signs, assist with tests and procedures, gather and sterilize medical equipment, start IV drips and/or give injections, consult with RNs on patient care plans, and communicate with patients and their families.
Medical Equipment Repair Technician
MedQuest College offers an associate degree of applied science in Medical Equipment Repair Technology. A Medical Equipment Repair Technician is a huge contributor to successful patient outcomes in healthcare by ensuring all life-saving medical equipment is working properly and efficiently. Technicians are responsible for performing maintenance and safety checks, keeping repair logs, calibrating equipment, and testing parts on machines. Technicians are in-charge of surgical equipment, infant machines, c-arm fluoroscopy machines, anesthesia machines, patient monitoring, ultrasound machines, and endoscopy machines.
Sonography
MedQuest College offers an associate degree of applied science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer can pursue a degree in Cardiac Sonography or Vascular Sonography at MedQuest College. The responsibilities of a Cardiac Sonographer are producing real-time images of cardiac structures, evaluating cardiac abnormalities and complications, tracking and evaluating chronic heart conditions, evaluating narrowed or leaking heart valves, and looking for causes of murmurs, chest pain or shortness of breath. The responsibilities of a Vascular Sonographer include monitoring blood flow, identifying blockages, locating blood clots, determining if an angioplasty is a viable treatment option, and assessing outcome of a bypass graft of blood vessels.