Are you looking to start or progress a career in the medical profession? Here are tips on everything from getting started as an entry-level employee, to making a name for yourself as a leading expert in your field. So whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this advice will help with your professional development.

Anyone interested in the medical field is interested in helping people. Medical practice makes a difference to everyone’s life, and there are many different ways to contribute to medicine too, while carving out a meaningful career for yourself. From phlebotomists to pharmacists, doctors to dieticians, nurses to neuroscientists – there is a job for many different types of people in medicine.

But what if you already work in a medical field, and want to progress your expertise and career? Not everyone has the same trajectory through medical school or training in a specific medical niche. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to learn and progress after you have already started working. 

Here are some of the best ways to work your way up in the medical field of your choice.

Do Continuing Education Credits

These are called different things in different countries, but the idea of this is to continue your professional development. And there are plenty of short courses and modules out there in medical related fields to explore this. You may already be aware of some of the opportunities through your current medical niche. For example, nurses have to renew certain skills through nursing CEUs on a regular basis, with opportunities to learn specific areas of nursing too, such as diabetes or pediatrics.

There are plenty of opportunities out there for any type of medical professional, so see what is on offer to you that can build on your current level of training. Your employer should also provide some opportunities for learning and development that they will pay for. If you’re looking to pivot into a slightly different medical area, a short course or continuing education credit could be a great way to see if you really like this new area.

Get Some Work Experience

This is a great way to learn more about what you do, and get some new skills. And if you’re looking for a promotion or to change medical areas, it can be really helpful to have some experience in the area that you want to move into. For example, if you want to move from being a general practitioner to working in cardiology, try to get some experience working in a cardiology department for a few months. 

This will give you a good idea of what the work is like, and if you have the skills and aptitude for it. Work experience can also be helpful if you’re looking to move up within your current medical area too. For example, if you want to become a head nurse, try to get some experience working in management or administration.

Find A Mentor

A mentor can be really helpful in giving you advice and guidance as you progress your medical career. They can help you with things like getting promoted, changing departments or even finding a new job. But most importantly, they can provide support and advice when you need it.

Your mentor doesn’t have to be someone senior to you, although that can be helpful. They could be someone who works in a similar role to you, or even someone who is outside of the medical profession altogether. The important thing is that they are supportive and willing to give you advice when you need it.

Look for Opportunities to Publish

This is a great way to show that you are an expert in your field, and to get your name out there. If you can write articles or papers that are published in medical journals, this will really help your career. It shows that you know what you’re talking about, and helps to build your reputation as an expert.

If you’re not sure where to start, talk to your supervisor or department head. They may be able to give you some ideas, or even help you to get your foot in the door. And if you’re not quite at this stage of your medical career yet, find some peers or colleagues who are getting published in journals. They may be able to help you progress your career to reach that point.

Go To Night School

If you need a bit more extensive medical training to get to where you need to, consider going to night school. This can be a great way to get the training you need, without having to quit your job or take time away from your family.

There are plenty of medical schools that offer evening and weekend classes, so you should be able to find something that fits in with your schedule. And if you’re worried about the cost, many employers will offer to pay for your medical schooling if it’s relevant to your job.

It’s not unheard of for people to work in an administrative role in a medical office, only to be inspired into a career as a medical practitioner themselves. Remember that anything is possible, and if you work in a medical environment already, you should have a ready-made support network of people who can help you through your training.