As with most careers, obtaining a position in the nursing field is based not only on skills and education but also timing. Being in the right place at the right time to be placed into the position you really want is about who you know and your network.  Top-notch medical facilities rarely have a need to advertise for their open positions as they have an established candidate base from which to pull, and sometimes they will hire internally from their existing staff or request referrals from within the teams. If you know someone at the facility, there is a strong chance you will hear about the open position but if not, the position may be filled within a short amount of time and with no outside advertising.

As a healthcare professional, you may not think of networking as an important part of your job. It is a common misconception to assume networking is only critical for jobs in sales or marketing but every professional should have a personal network that they continuously grow and manage.

4 Ways to Ensure You Have the Necessary Connections in Your Industry

1. Social media.
   More than just for personal connections, social media can connect you to others in your field without the awkward mixers and business functions. Healthcare professionals usually have sporadic schedules so making time to meet others in a physical setting can be difficult but connecting online is fast and easy. Use sites like LinkedIn and search specifically for those in your field with whom to connect.
2. Stand out.
   While you are at your job, go above and beyond what is asked of you to be noticed. Stellar employees stand out and networks are put into place as your name begins to be recognized and you are referred to better positions within the organization. You may be asked to join other teams on special projects and your network will grow quickly. Don’t turn down the chance to make a lateral move within your field to learn more as a nursing professional as well as increase your network.
3. Be nice.
   This may sound simple but those in the nursing field should be friendly to their co-workers. Not only to increase their network but also to be a more effective healthcare provider. As your fellow team members become friends rather than just acquaintances, they will be more likely to alert you to a better position or be available as a resource for a recommendation.
4. Help others.
   When you help others network and achieve a new position, you are paying it forward and they are more likely to remember you if something comes up that would be a good fit for you. Giving to others is a great feeling and it can increase not only confidence but also your network.

Networking is not difficult when you work with people on a daily basis such as in the field of nursing. You have a continuous opportunity to make a positive impression and change lives, which is something people don’t forget quickly. As a nurse, you should make the effort to maintain a network of professional references and friends so you have the chance to move up in your career as the opportunities arise.

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Regardless of where you are in your medical career, you can always learn and become a more efficient provider.  In the healthcare industry, there are ways to daily ways to improve, so you can consistently ensure each patient has the best possible outcome for their needs. The healthcare field is ever changing and without support and knowledge, you may feel lost or even be on the receiving end of misguided career advice.  A career mentor is someone who can guide you through tough choices and be the sounding board you need when faced with difficulties in your professional life. Sometimes your family or co-workers won’t understand your work conflicts, or you simply cannot discuss sensitive issues with them as they are too close to the situation. Having an objective mentor you can call will make a big difference in your future career choices.

How Can a Mentor
Assist Your Career Growth?

An objective third party may seem more like a personal benefit and not one that will help your career but this type of mentor for your professional life is different than just a friend. Choosing a mentor who is familiar with your field and even an authority of their own in the field can prove to be beneficial. If you are contemplating working with a career mentor, here are three ways a mentor can help you in your career:

1. Knowledge resource.
   A mentor should have more experience in the job field and more years in the industry than your average co-worker. Their knowledge stems from more education and real life situations, with an emphasis on the day-to-day decisions that are made in the healthcare industry. Your career can be improved through their knowledge of new procedures and trends within the industry and you can become a stronger provider, possibly leading to better positions in the field.  You can always learn about your field and possibly through their varied viewpoints, you will become better educated.
2. Honest opinions.
   Criticism can be hurtful but what if you could hear something constructive about your career from someone you know and trust? Honesty is critical to the foundation of a mentor relationship and this person can give you career insight so you can improve, not just to be mean. Think of your mentor as holding up a mirror to your career and you are able to see the flaws and problems clearly in order to change accordingly. It is not done to belittle you but rather reveal your shortcomings in the spirit of improvement.
3. Safe zone.
   How many times have you resisted the urge to vent about your job to co-workers or even your family to avoid causing more problems? A career mentor will listen to the problems and offer advice. You may feel on the verge of leaving a medical facility due to mismanagement or other internal problems, only to get the advice from your mentor to stick it out. The mentor can help you decide if it is time to move on or make a lateral career move based on the information you provide, which can be as detailed as you want to share. After all, they are usually not involved with your organization.

Looking for Employment in San Antonio?
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In any industry, landing the job means standing out from the other applicants and doing what you can to make a positive, lasting impression throughout the process. The healthcare world has always been highly competitive and in an economy where one job will sometimes have hundreds of applicants, standing out is not just a goal but a necessity. How are you different from the others in your field? Are there things you can do stand out from other healthcare professionals?

Skip the Song and Dance
In some industries, the more charismatic and fun you appear in the job interview, the stronger your chances are of landing the job. Professionals in the healthcare industry have a bit more of a challenge as it is their skill set and qualifications that are under scrutiny. Questions like:

• Where did you go to school?
• What are your medical specialties?
• Where was your internship?
• What was your GPA?
• What are your specific certifications?

The ability to stand out from the others vying for this particular position will depend on these answers and more. Your personal choices will hold a great deal of value to your healthcare career such as if you volunteered to help others whether in a medical capacity such as reading to children in the cancer wing of the hospital or playing games with the elderly on Tuesday nights. Your job in healthcare is based on your qualifications first and foremost as you can’t fake your way through the tasks at hand like inserting an IV tube or prepping someone for surgery, but you will stand out when you can regale the interviewer with examples of how you served others throughout your life.

The Whole Package
While the employers want to see your skills and certifications, they also want to know about your personal reasons for choosing this particular field. It is not an industry that is suitable for everyone so chances are you had an experience or desire from an early age to study medicine. Here are some of the top areas employers will look at on your application:

1. GPA and test scores. This provides a basis for your intelligence and ability to handle the tasks that will be thrown at you on a daily basis. Clinical experience. Do you have any added specialties? What made your clinical experience unique to you or your desired job title?
2. Personal statement. Why do you want this job, in this field, in this facility? You will have to personalize each application but it will be worth your time to land the job you really wanted.
3. Research authority. Were any of your papers or ideas published in a medical journal or other medical publication? Now is the time to bring that up in your interview.

A future employer wants to know that you are a well-rounded individual with the brain to know how to care for patients but also the heart and sensibility to know the best course of action for the welfare of each patient.

Working in the healthcare industry is a daily challenge for those in leadership positions, HR managers, and even for the employees. It is a high stress environment where teams are constantly on the move and regulations can change overnight so it is crucial for employees to feel support and value on a daily basis. Not only are employees pushed to their limits physically and emotionally in the course of one shift, they are sometimes forced to work overtime to compensate for facilities being short-staffed. Healthcare providers have to think clearly for hours on end and still have empathy, with every patient. Your team is responsible for the lives of their patients and that is a great deal of responsibility to put on them. It is important to keep your teams motivated and focused so they are able to perform at the high levels necessary. These boosters should become part of your routine so the valuable team members you have in place will have reason to stay and continue to create a top-notch facility.

What can you do for your Team?
Day in and day out, your team members arrive at work and give 100%. Yes, they are paid for their work but it’s no secret most healthcare workers will go above and beyond what is expected of them on a daily basis to meet the needs of their patients. This can mean staying a bit later to make sure a scared patient falls asleep or making sure a child is able to see their parents before bedtime. Each and every day, these are the people who do positive acts for the world and many times they are under high levels of stress both professionally and personally. Leadership and the HR departments of any healthcare facility can help alleviate some of the stress by creating a focus on several aspects that have proven valuable to medical staff.

• Open communication. When employees feel as though they can talk to their superiors, other team members, and lateral departments, there is a lessened chance of miscommunication and issues that develop into major problems. Good communication is the key to any and all successful relationships and an open dialogue between employer and employees will benefit everyone.
• Team building. You don’t need to force everyone to participate in an obstacle course or something extreme to build a cohesive team. Team building exercises can be something as simple as encouraging employees to eat lunch together or celebrate birthdays as a group. By making everyone on the team feel value, you are building a team.
• Strong Leadership. An important aspect of healthcare performance is maintaining the hierarchy of seniority and those in leadership staying in charge of each shift. Clear leaders within the departments will keep the status quo and that is essential for success in this industry. When there is not a clear leader for each area, chaos will ensue and nothing will get done efficiently, which can lead to even more stress for your teams.

Working in the healthcare industry can be difficult yet extremely rewarding and for those who have made it their career, a boost from the management and HR departments can be just what they need to continue providing quality care to each and every patient.

Team morale is one of the most important factors in the success of your company. Without a cohesive attitude, your company will begin to feel the negative effects and your productivity will suffer. When you hire new team members, especially those on a temporary basis, it can prove to be difficult fostering that connected feeling between employees. There are several steps you can take in order to make even temporary staff members feel welcome and valuable to your organization:

1. Include them in on the fun events. It is a given that you will ask the temporary employees to attend meetings and conferences but don’t forget to invite them to team activities such as happy hour after work, or a catered lunch event. The informal setting can help everyone open up to each other and really get to know one another.
2. Get to know them personally. If you have a company birthday wall or family wall, ask them to participate. Some companies honor family service members or family achievements so give them a chance to interact with others in your organization. They may find others with common interest and family situations, which can create an immediate bond.
3. Be cautious about how you talk about their employment. It’s never a good idea to mention they are temporary or to keep reminding everyone on the team that they are just “here for a couple weeks” because you may want them to stay on longer. It can also make them feel as though they are disposable to the team and not allowed to be part of the long term planning meetings.
4. Ask for their input when others are around. The full-time staff may not recognize the value of the short term employees but when they see your attitude and openness, they will more than likely follow your lead.
5. Give them a spot. Don’t assume that just because they are temporary, they won’t need to have a desk or supplies like the other staff and by not providing that, it can send the message of their lack of importance. When they have their own space and tools to perform at the job, they can achieve success and others will recognize them for their abilities.

The temporary team members are an integral part of your organization or you wouldn’t have a need for them. The simple fact of their hiring speaks to their worth and their value to the company as a whole but unless the team understands it, there can be contention and unnecessary hostility. As their leader, you have the ability to make it work effectively and can help each team member feel valuable and welcome among your staff.

It is not uncommon for potential new hires to undergo a thorough background check and drug screening for any number of jobs from an entry level position to the director of a nationwide company. This ensures the person who is hired is of the highest character and their resume matches their actual qualifications. A thorough background check can cost the company money but in the long run, it will save money and even a possible tarnished reputation, which can be impossible to recover. All of this can be mitigated with the proper vetting of a candidate and should be part of the hiring process for every staff member at your medical facility.

Are Background Checks really Necessary?
In a world where it’s easy to find information on just about anyone for free, is it really necessary to go through the hassle and cost of a formal background check? After all, you had a good feeling about them in the interviews and probably even did a little snooping online and found no major issues. The answer is yes; it is absolutely necessary to perform a formal background check on medical staff. This information can be put in their personnel file and reviewed if necessary. If you hire someone for your team and they are not as proficient as they claim, your facility has just opened itself up to a malpractice suit in the event of a mistake. While mistakes can be made by even the most seasoned medical professionals, it is less likely to have a lasting negative impact if the “mistake-maker” has the proper training and actual credentials, which would make it a human error.

What does a Background Check Accomplish?
In a down economy, candidates may be tempted to exaggerate their abilities in hopes of landing a job and sadly this happens in all job fields. When it happens in the medical world, lives are put at risk. You employ medical staff that you trust have the skills and qualifications they claim to have to complete the team. These team members must be able to pull their weight and perform the tasks they are hired to do so your patients can receive the quality care they deserve. If there is a member of your staff who cannot do the job, it’s not just your facility that is put at risk but also the lives of your patients.  What happens when your team is short-staffed and the new hires are required to work alone or pick up extra shifts and they cannot do the job? By completing a background check, you can know that your team is competent and you can continue to provide top-notch services to your patients. 

Looking to hire in 2014?
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The workplace isn’t always the most kind or sympathetic place to be. In fact, some team members and co-workers can sometimes treat each other rudely, but in the medical profession, there is no place for that kind of attitude or treatment. Empathy should be the rule for every workplace but especially for those in the medical field. The foundation for every medical facility, large or small, should be one of compassion and respect, starting from the top and spreading to each and every patient who enters the building.

Positive Bed-Side Manner
Those in need of medical care are feeling vulnerable and helpless, but the right words, demeanor, and attitude can put them at ease. This is accomplished through a staff of individuals who understand this and work hard to create that environment. It is a fact that happy and calm patients will heal faster and achieve the desired results of recovery. During the course of the day, medical personnel can find themselves worn out and in need of positivity in their immediate surroundings, and this is where empathy in the workplace comes into play. Here are some simple steps you can take to show your co-workers that you care and when you give to them, they are more likely to pass it on to their patients.

1. Smile at those around you. Even if there is nothing funny or you’ve seen that person ten times in the past hour, give them a smile and see how it lifts their mood.
2. Help when you can. If you have some downtime, look around and see who could use some extra assistance with a difficult patient or in getting caught up on a task.
3. Show up early for your shift. Relieve the previous shift or at least give them time to close their logs and be on their way earlier than usual.
4. Bring in goodies. You don’t need to buy anything expensive but consider baking something and taking it to work or even take in some fruit and granola bars.
5. Pull your weight. While this may seem like more of a team building attribute, you should always do your job and help others on your team complete the tasks at hand. This demonstrates your respect and value for their work and time.

As the employer or employee in a medical facility setting, it is important to continue the circle of care and empathy. Without that, you become a facility where patients feel like a number and many will search for better options for their care. Not only will you lose patients but your reputation and job satisfaction will decrease and it can be difficult to rebuild. Avoid the unnecessary problems with simple actions of treating others how you want to be treated.

As patients age, their health problems can increase from brittle bones to memory loss, and while there are few options to drastically improve their mental state, new research is providing hope for an improved quality of life for their daily life. Music therapy can be the medium used to bring the elderly out of their depression and provide them with an outlet for strength and happiness. The ideology behind the therapy is simple: music can recreate memories and cause the elderly to interact with something positive and happy, music.  When the brain is stimulated, it tends to stay in that state so the elderly can have hours of productive brain thought after the initial music therapy session.

Creating a Higher Quality of Life for the Elderly
Plagued with health problems, medications that make them groggy and even a loss of special memories can make the elderly depressed and they will sometimes retreat from the world. When this occurs, their health begins to deteriorate at a rapid pace without daily walks, mental stimulus, and the social interaction that humans need on some level. Music has always been regarded as a mood-lifter and a positive influence in lives. It can reduce anxiety and confusion with dementia patients, causing them to interact with others and when the brain is stimulated, it can lead to increased functionality throughout the day. The elderly are more apt to vocalize a problem and even remember things on their own. Even for the elderly without dementia, the music will create a calm environment and happier exchanges with others in the community as well as the caregivers.

Easy to Understand Why it Works
When the elderly are placed in a retirement setting or even with a caregiver at their home, it can be a scary time. Not only is it is a new situation to face but many times, they may wake up, forgetting where they are and why they are there. Music therapy can work as a calming agent to decrease the agitation felt by these patients who will struggle to put into words their own feelings of helplessness and confusion. Every one of all ages will respond more positively to a happy mood and something familiar, especially the elderly when they hear music from their past that can conjure up good memories for them. It will encourage them to sing along and it may be surprising to see how much they do remember from the “good old days” of their past and the conversations that follow can create stronger relationships and enjoyment. Elderly care facilities around the country are implementing music therapy for patients in all stages of care and seeing dramatic results when the patients are given the chance to choose their favorites on a music device. 

Pinnacle Workforce
Pinnacle Workforce strives to meet the needs of the dynamic healthcare industry. We promise to provide qualified professionals to the companies and organizations where they are needed most. Want to learn more about our team and how we can benefit your hiring needs? Contact our team of experienced San Antonio medical recruiters today!

In an economy where the qualified candidates outnumber the others, you have to stand out. How is this accomplished without seeming obnoxious or arrogant in a job interview?  Putting your best foot forward doesn’t mean compromising who you are or even acting a certain way but rather being true to yourself. If that doesn’t work for the interview, it won’t work for the new position and both parties should be comfortable with their true person. Usually if you have made it to the in-person interview, you meet the basic qualifications so there should be something about you that sets you apart. There are several actions you can take in order to help sway the interview in your favor so that you are remembered for your abilities, personality, and how well you would fit into the role.

1. Engage the interviewer. Don’t just recite answers back to their questions but go one step further by adding some personal information to your answer or even ask them a question after your response. If you are asked about your education, take a couple extra seconds to explain why you went to that school or how a certain class really changed your life. Don’t ramble but try to answer with more than just one sentence.
2. Be personable. From the receptionist who greets you to others in the parking lot vying for that one open spot, show a friendly, positive attitude, because these are potential co-workers and no one wants to work with a grouchy person. While they may not conduct the interview, their input could be heard and you want it in your favor.
3. Know facts about the company. When you’re answering questions about prior work experience, you can tie it to the current interviewer. Use common connections in the industry, clients, and even experiences to show the interviewer that you know exactly who they are and the position they are trying to fill.
4. Exude confidence and knowledge. If there was a new development in your field, talk about it and explain the facts. The interviewer may or may not know about it but it is a win-win either way. You can share some new information with them or you can partake in a lively conversation about what happened. This gives you a chance to connect with the interviewer and for them to realize you know the industry.
5. Common courtesy rules the day. Be on time, don’t chew gum, turn off your phone, keep the cologne/perfume to a minimum, and speak clearly. Treat the interview seriously and you will be viewed as a viable candidate.

Not every interview will be the same but the small details are what will set you apart. These principles can apply to all job interviews you may have, regardless of the field.

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Social media connects people from all walks of life and professions with a simple invite from one profile to another. It has brought together long-lost family members, rekindled friendships, and even helped network for professionals to find better jobs. The variety of social media outlets continues to increase but the one that stands out for professional use is LinkedIn. With over 1.5 million identified healthcare professionals, it is a site geared for use by those who want to increase their career network, find a new job, or those who want to find new candidates for their open positions. LinkedIn has a distinct emphasis on professional connections and updates, in contrast to other social media sites that promote random thought and personal information sharing. Medical professionals can benefit greatly from using LinkedIn to connect professionally with others for a variety of reasons:

1. The busy schedules of medical professionals can make it difficult to meet others in the same field and even those in the same facility. While you may prefer to keep the relationship professional, you can still have a connection with them. Many times doctors and nurses will not fraternize but there is a benefit to connecting outside of the workplace, in a professional way.
2. Information sharing is invaluable in healthcare. LinkedIn allows users to hone in on updates that are important to them and then have the opportunity to share what they’ve learned. For example, a healthcare professional learning about a new facility or treatment can share it with their network and not only provide that valuable information but become a resource for those in similar fields.
3. It’s fast and easy to connect. Some social media sites are complicated and full of spam but LinkedIn strives to be a site where users will connect with those they actually know or have a common connection. Rather than signing in to a mailbox full of spam, healthcare professionals can connect with people they actually know and a network that will be beneficial to them.
4. Legitimate opportunities can be shared and found by medical professionals. As in any job field, there are those who offer non-existent jobs or ones that may not pay market standard and it is a waste of time for professionals. When a job is offered on LinkedIn, it is not free for the job poster so the scammers are properly vetted through the LinkedIn channels.
5. A high number of medical groups are on LinkedIn and your network can grow by leaps and bounds. The next time you need to find a registered nurse or bio/pharm professional, it will take a minute to search through your chosen groups and find real people with the right credentials.

As a professional in any field, it is wise to have a network of others you can turn to but this is especially the case in the world of healthcare professionals. Trust and privacy are the cornerstone for those working within the medical field so proceed with caution when  finding new staff or suppliers.

Have additional questions on how to find qualified candidates for your organization? Contact our team of recruiters today to learn about the benefits of partnering with us!