Career Change
Isil Arican
Entering to HIT world

Career Change

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Key skills to focus for career growth

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QUESTION:

Dear Whitty Women,

I am considering a career in Healthcare IT but am unsure about prioritizing skills. As women excelling in a professional role within the Healthcare IT domain, could you share insights into the key skills and knowledge areas that were crucial for your career growth?

ANSWER:

Dear Reader,

Embarking on a career in Healthcare IT is not just a professional journey; it's an exploration of opportunities for growth and meaningful impact. As professionals navigating this dynamic field, we appreciate the nuanced blend of skills and knowledge pivotal in shaping our careers. Here are key facets that have fueled our growth in Healthcare IT: 

  • Proficiency in Healthcare IT Fundamentals: A robust understanding of electronic health records, health information systems, and data interoperability standards is empowering. This knowledge opens doors to impactful contributions in healthcare projects and ensures alignment with industry needs. 

  • Effective Communication: Beyond the technical realm, the ability to articulate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders is a bridge. Effective communication fosters collaboration between IT professionals and healthcare practitioners, integrating innovative solutions into healthcare workflows. 

  • Adaptability: In the dynamic healthcare sector, adaptability is a superpower. The continuous evolution of technologies and regulations demands perpetual learning and adaptability. Embracing change with resilience contributes to ongoing advancements shaping the future of healthcare technology. 

  • Project Management: Strong project management skills are essential for orchestrating the successful implementation and optimization of IT solutions within complex healthcare settings. Projects are not just timelines and tasks but opportunities to transform. 

  • Commitment to Security and Privacy: An unwavering commitment to data security and privacy is non-negotiable given the sensitive nature of patient information. Adherence to regulatory frameworks, such as HIPAA, ensures compliance and builds trust among stakeholders, reinforcing the integrity of the healthcare IT infrastructure. 

  • Networking and Mentorship: Building a robust professional network, especially with women in technology, and establishing mentor-mentee relationships provide valuable insights and support, creating a safety net that offers guidance and perspective. 

In summary, achieving success in Healthcare IT for professional women involves cultivating technical expertise, honing effective communication skills, embracing adaptability, mastering project management, ensuring a commitment to data security, and fostering a strong network of support. These key skills collectively contribute to individual career growth and positive advancements within the healthcare technology landscape. 

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Job Search and Social Media

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QUESTION:

Dear Whitty Women,

How can I utilize social media for my job search and career advancement?

ANSWER:

Dear Reader,

Social media can be one of the effective tools that might help you land that job you are always dreaming of. Various social media platforms can tell a lot about the candidate, while they can also provide useful opportunities for networking and finding new career opportunities.

According to a survey done by LiveCareer in 2021, 80% of the recruiters screen candidates in social media prior to hiring. So having a social media presence that reflects your strengths and skills for the job you are seeking is a must. Building your brand and regularly expressing it on a professional platform like LinkedIn.

There are a lot of websites that provide tips to create and maintain a good LinkedIn profile that allows you to build a successful brand in your healthcare IT career path. But in order to get you started, here is a great guide to help “Enhance Your Presence on LinkedIn”.

Entering to HIT world

QUESTION:

Dear Whitty Women,

I am currently in a clinical role. What are some tips to help me move to the HIT world?

ANSWER:

Dear Reader,

The Healthcare IT domain has a lot of professionals who are coming from the clinical background. Skills required to succeed at healthcare IT are similar to those that make one successful in healthcare clinical roles: passion for providing best and affordable healthcare to those who need it, empathy, being able to deal with pressure, analytical thinking, curiosity & drive, problem solving, communication,  to be able to see the big picture and a passion for improving processes. In addition to those, an interest in healthcare technology and having computer skills also helps with taking the first step towards this new healthcare field.

If you are considering making this change, there are couple steps we recommend:

  • Observe: One of the first things is to observe and maybe even shadow your organization’s healthcare IT team members. What does their day look like, besides the parts you are familiar with, what else they do? What skills they have makes them successful?

  • Research: You might want to try to learn the nuances and required skills for various different roles under healthcare IT. Talking to other HIT professionals, reading job descriptions on various web sites can help. HIMSS also has a useful healthcare career pathways page that can help you determine your next steps.

  • Expand your skills: Once you know what is the next step for you to make the move, and what additional skills & knowledge that would help you, try to fill those gaps. Attending various trainings, getting some additional certificates depending on your path definitely helps. But also actively participating in IT projects while you are still in your clinical role, or even volunteering to become  a subject matter expert for you clinical unit/ department would allow you to gain a lot of new skills, experience, and visibility.

  • Network: That is where we can help!! Networking is essential for career growth. While it gives you the opportunity to learn new things about the profession and collaborate, people in your network can also advise you and mentor you. As WHIT members, we are leveraging our networks, experience and expertise to deliver events, mentor programs and offer career counseling and advice to help women achieve their career goals.