Chris Holman hosted what we call the CAMW! Success Story of the Month. For May 2017 we looked at the topic of debunking myths in healthcare. His guests were from Capital Area Michigan Works! and Sparrow Health System.
Joining Chris were Megan Wills, Manager, Talent Acquisition Sparrow Health System, along with Joe Winkiel, Business Service Liaison at Capital Area Michigan Works! - The demand for talent in the health care industry is ever-growing in Michigan, the U.S. and beyond. Enhanced technology and improved health care has led to a longer life expectancy for individuals and a growing aging population in the U.S. they discuss what this means for health care.
Increased demand for professionals to keep Michiganders healthy. And, the Capital Area Michigan Works! Business Services Team is taking note of the increased demand to fulfill jobs in health care. - Health care support occupations top the list of fastest-growing occupational groups in Michigan through 2022, expecting to grow roughly 18 percent for total jobs overall. By 2022 in the U.S., the health care industry is expected to add more than four million jobs – more than any other industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To learn more about the employment outlook in the health care industry in Greater Lansing, Megan and Joe help Chris to debunk the common myths in health care.- Myth one: You need a college degree to work in health care.
o “In reality, health care systems, like hospitals, need qualified individuals with all different levels of education,” said Wills. “From high school degrees for patient safety sitters; to short course completion for receptionists, medical assistants, phlebotomists, patient care techs; and an associate degree for X-ray technologists and sonographers.”
o “Society has pushed pursuing a bachelor’s degree on the Millennial generation and that has contributed to the gap in talent for medical assistants and other health care professionals who are essential to helping an organization run smoothly,” Wills continued.
- Myth two: Hospitals only hire nurses and doctors.
o “A hospital is like a mini city and caregivers of all varieties are needed to make it function! This includes everything from environmental services, food service, IT, finance, legal, marketing, facilities development and security,” said Wills. “Sparrow Health System is looking for a large number of talented individuals to join our team.”
o “McLaren Greater Lansing is equally looking for talent in all departments,” said Winkiel. “We’re continuously working with our partners to connect them with the right talent.”
- Myth three: You have to have experience to get a job.
o “Sparrow Health System hires many new graduates from all different types of programs to fill our open career opportunities every year,” said Wills. “In 2016 alone, we hired more than 160 new graduate registered nurses with both associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. Many work in facilities and home care.”
- Myth four: I have to work in a hospital to get into the health field.
o “There is often a perception that you have to work in a hospital to work in health care, but this isn’t true. Many positions are available in labs, doctors’ offices and clinics,” said Winkiel. “There are also many satellite offices associated with both Sparrow Health System and McLaren Greater Lansing.
Additionally, there are many home health car
e agencies, assisted living centers and residential care facilities available with numerous job openings for qualified candidates.” - There are more than 450 open positions in health care or health care associated positions in Greater Lansing. For those looking to start working in health care and have graduated high school, you can start out as a cook, receptionist, home health care aid, maintenance technician or housekeeper, just to name a few. Individuals with an associate degree can find employment as a certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, nurse’s aide or a licensed practical/vocational nurse.
- Visit www.camw.org to connect with the Capital Area Michigan Works! team for assistance with career exploration or staffing needs. Capital Area Michigan Works!, a proud partner of the American Job Center Network, offers services in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties at our Lansing, St. Johns and Charlotte American Job Centers.
For more knowledge, news, and insights visit:
www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com
