Career Opportunities in Healthcare- A webinar by Apollo MedSkills

Apollo MedSkills organized a webinar on Career Opportunities in Healthcare on 16th May 2020. The webinar was addressed by Dr Srinivasa Rao Pulijala, CEO Apollo MedSkills. He answered the queries of the participants regarding career opportunities in healthcare in an hour-long session.

Healthcare has always been a priority sector. It is one of the largest sectors in terms of revenue as well as employment. India has been the largest supplier of healthcare workforce across the globe. The Indian healthcare sector is growing at a brisk pace due to its strengthening coverage, services, and increasing expenditure by public as well as private players. However, a shortage of skilled manpower remains one of the major challenges in strengthening healthcare infrastructure today. It is high time for all of us to look forward to how the health care needs can be met.

From a Super Specialist Doctor to a Housekeeping Executive, each one of them plays a very critical role in healthcare. Going ahead, the country would need many more healthcare professionals. Not only doctors, but also nurses, paramedical staff, pharmacists, medical technicians, laboratory personnel, would be in great demand across the country.

The webinar started with an insight into the career opportunities in healthcare and followed by the discussion on other important aspects of the healthcare industry. Here are excerpts from the webinar.

Highlights of the webinar
Career options in healthcare at all levels
Impact of COVID-19 in the healthcare industry
Future Skill options post COVID-19
Post COVID learning mechanism in healthcare

Career options in healthcare at all levels

With the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19, the country is in a need for a huge number of healthcare professionals at all the levels. In healthcare, every role has its own significance and every role is a frontline role. Roles in healthcare can be layered in to 9 levels:

DM/MCH
MD/MS
MBBS
Nurses
Healthcare Management
Allied health/Paramedical
Support service

A significant increase in healthcare workforce at micro and macro level has potential to manage the diverse disease burden in the country. Therefore, the healthcare industry in India offers some of the best career opportunities and growth potential for the youth in the country.
There will be opportunities in both clinical as well as non-clinical fonts such as management, administration and other technical aspects. Those who want to get into the healthcare sector should take up courses that are available for almost everyone.

The emerging trends in the healthcare industry and the technology complimenting the healthcare operations emerge in new roles like e-health consultants, data analytics managers, and tele-health technicians.

There are career opportunities and courses for 10th and 12th dropouts as well.

Diploma programmes created for Paramedical such as Diploma in Medical Lab Technician, Diploma in Radiology etc. are really popular and have a good future in terms of employment.
Short term programmes are also available with a duration of six month to one year which are affiliated by Healthcare Sector Skill Council

Apart from the employment opportunities in healthcare, there are possibilities for self-employment also.

As the demand for diagnosis is increasing, the Medical Lab Technicians can start their own diagnosis centres
There is a huge requirement for home care executives and Pharmacy Assistants. They can provide their service independently

Impact of COVID-19 in healthcare sector

The entire globe is fighting an unexpected war which is changing every aspect of our lives. To tackle the situation the first thing we should do is to accept and adapt to the changes. Like every sector healthcare is also going through some major changes which will impact the future of the industry.

Going ahead the industry will have many new normal and hospitals will restructure their infrastructure with quarantine facilities.
All of us will have to follow social distancing norms and healthcare staffs might carry immunity passports in future
healthcare sector will follow the blended approach of training and learning

Future skill options post COVID-19

Post COVID-19, the healthcare sector will see a rise in new career trends

Phlebotomy Technician and Medical Lab Technicians
Geriatrician- Care homes will need better trained Geriatricians
Medical Coders: There will be huge demand for coders who can create and manage applications and other software.
Emergency Medical Technicians and Daily Health Coordinators
Data Analysts: Managing all the data is going to be very crucial for which the demand for an excellent Data Analyst will always be there.

With the rise in demand for these roles, the need for upskilling and reskilling will be there. The healthcare professionals should be trained in critical care and emergency skills. There should be courses on pandemic and disaster management in their curriculum.

Post COVID-19 learning mechanism

The unprecedented outbreak of Corona has given a boost to online learning. However, healthcare can’t deliver its training entirely through e-learning mode. In healthcare, it is going to be more blended learning. A significant part of the sessions will be online along with a classroom as well as hospital experience. Those who are in healthcare management can attend online classes as they don’t need much of an industry exposure and hands on training.

Also read: Four key drivers influencing future skills in the Healthcare industry https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/four-key-drivers-influencing-future-skills-in-the-healthcare-industry/

The webinar was enlightening and provided an insight into the healthcare sector. Healthcare industry is a mine of opportunities for almost everyone who aspires to become a healthcare professional.