Different hospital career opportunities include clinical opportunities, administrative opportunities, and clerical opportunities. In addition, jobs in a hospital setting can be found in the environmental services department and housekeeping departments, the security department, and the dietary department. Hospital career opportunities typically offer job security and generous benefits, even for part-time employees.
One of the most prevalent hospital career opportunities is for registered or practical nurses. These professionals are the backbone of the hospital and their duties range from working at the bedside to working in a hospital office setting. Hospitals typically promote from within and many hospitals have job boards to post current employment opportunities.
Hospital career opportunities also offer flexibility in scheduling. This is most prevalent in the nursing department. Many hospitals allow nurses to work either eight- or 12-hour shifts, and if desired, they can choose to work only on the weekends. In addition, many hospitals offer "registry" positions, where employees can choose the days they want to work. Employees who work in registry positions typically get a higher hourly wage, though this pay is generally in lieu of benefits such as vacation time and medical insurance benefits.
The dietary department in the hospital offers work opportunities such as working on the line in the kitchen, cooking, or doing clerical work. In addition, the dietary department typically employs a registered dietician who is experienced in the nutritional needs of patients with various medical conditions. The dietician typically visits the patient with 24 hours of admission to discuss his food preferences and menu choices.
Other hospital career opportunities include lab technologists and technicians. These employees work in labs, such as the microbiology, chemistry, pathology, and serology departments. Generally, an employee who works in a hospital laboratory can either wear street clothes or dress in a uniform or hospital scrubs. Typically, however, they are required to wear lab coats to cover their clothing.
Colleges that offer health care programs sometimes offer job placement programs for those interested in hospital career opportunities, although this is not always the case. People interested in hospital career opportunities are usually pleased when they learn of the wide variety of jobs available. Many hospitals offer preceptor programs for the new nursing graduate. Preceptor programs are typically six weeks long and allow the new nurse to pair up with an experienced nurse so he can get experience in the hospital routine, clinical practices, and policies and procedures.