Healthcare Career Pathways

If you’re job hunting in healthcare right now, stop applying to the same roles as everyone else. The U.S. job market in 2025 is flooded with applications for the same few titles: data analyst, public health associate, healthcare consultant. But while the crowd runs toward those roles, opportunities are quietly opening elsewhere, in sectors that are growing fast but still overlooked. Here are 4 underrated but high-opportunity job sectors for healthcare grads in 2025: 1. Real-World Evidence (RWE) & Health Outcomes Research Why it’s growing: Pharma companies and research organizations are shifting from clinical trials alone to studying how treatments perform in real-life settings. They want to understand long-term health outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and patient behaviors. Why you’re a good fit: If you have a background in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, or clinical informatics, your skills directly support data analysis, study design, and health economics, key components of RWE work. Top employers hiring: Flatiron Health, IQVIA, Pfizer, Evidera 2. Behavioral Health Informatics Why it’s growing: The mental health crisis has pushed governments and private startups to invest in digital mental health solutions. From telehealth platforms to state-run behavioral health programs, there's high demand for people who can optimize systems and interpret behavioral data. Why you’re a good fit: If you’ve studied public health, health informatics, or EHR systems and care about improving mental health access, this sector is built for you. These roles often involve workflow analysis, patient data reporting, and community health support. Top employers hiring: Talkspace, Headspace Health, community clinics, Medicaid programs 3. Hospital Quality & Safety Analytics Why it’s growing: U.S. hospitals are under increasing pressure to improve patient outcomes, reduce readmissions, and meet regulatory reporting requirements. They rely on data analysts and informatics professionals to make sense of patient data and improve care quality. Why you’re a good fit: If you’re trained in healthcare analytics, informatics, or public health policy, you can contribute to initiatives like value-based care, risk scoring, and quality improvement projects. Top employers hiring: Mayo Clinic, Vizient, Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare 4. Healthcare Supply Chain Analytics Why it’s growing: Rising drug prices, equipment shortages, and pandemic-era disruptions have forced hospitals and pharma companies to rethink how supplies are managed. They’re hiring analysts to forecast demand, manage inventory, and improve distribution. Why you’re a good fit: If you know Excel, SQL, Power BI, or even just have strong quantitative reasoning, you can thrive in these roles. This sector values efficiency, data interpretation, and problem-solving. Share it with a friend who needs it. #HealthcareJobs #PublicHealthCareers #HealthInformatics #Biostatistics #HealthDataAnalytics

Mid-career professionals have a unique edge in healthtech, but most don't see it. After being in this industry for over 20 years I’ve noticed that fresh graduates bring innovation but lack context. Industry veterans have experience but resisted change. As a mid-career professional in 2025, you stand at the perfect intersection: → You’ve built enough experience to understand the complexities of healthcare. → You’re still adaptable enough to embrace new technologies. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s too late to pivot into healthtech, let me tell you: it’s not. In fact, your timing couldn’t be better. Here are the most high-demand roles, and who they’re best for: 1. Health Informatics Specialist Perfect for process-oriented professionals. This role focuses on optimizing health records and workflows, leveraging your operational expertise to drive efficiency. 2. Healthcare Data Scientist If data is your strength, use it to transform patient outcomes. Analyze patterns in medical data to solve critical healthcare challenges and make a tangible impact. 3. Digital Health Product Manager A great fit for problem-solvers with leadership skills. You’ll guide teams to develop tech solutions that address pressing healthcare needs. 4. Telehealth Operations Lead Ideal for those with operations experience. Manage remote care platforms to ensure seamless interactions between patients and providers. 5. Regulatory and Compliance Expert If you’re detail-oriented, this role is for you. Help healthtech companies innovate responsibly by navigating global compliance requirements. Healthtech needs leaders who can bridge the gap between technology and execution. With the right mindset and preparation, 2025 could be the year you redefine your career. Are you thinking about making a pivot in the next year? #healthtech #career #growth

I can’t remember who gave me this career pro-tip years ago… but as a doctor in training it’s crucial to build your portfolio from the very start of training Rotating through 6 month posts, growing your CV won’t happen without a PLAN Life will happen with babies, illness, breakups, house moves…a plan helps keep career development on track The Plan: - within first few weeks of each 6 month post, identify a focus of clinical practice ⭐️ - carry out a survey of current practice & attitudes & potential improvements - present to your department by end of 6 months. - write the abstract to share your work as you’re starting the survey - it will push you to do background reading. - find the most knowledgeable person in your department on this topic and ask them to critique your abstract. - set journal alerts for when something on this topic is published - interrogate the publication & submit a letter in response - based on your additional research you will have something to contribute. Journals welcome engagement & frequently publish responses. - find a national & international meeting to submit abstract to - mark submission date in your diary - apply to hospital/dept research fund for support to attend international meeting if abstract accepted - they may say no but nothing ventured… - find a short course that rounds out your cv eg healthcare management, ethics, law, palliative care, clinical governance, medical education - webinars & workshops are handy & many are free. One short course every 6 months builds up over 6-8 years of training! - book leave early for course/conference. Busy jobs with onerous rosters will gobble the months and before you know it, it’s time to rotate 🤷♀️ Exams carry their own demands - but bear in mind, almost everyone in your specialty will eventually pass these - they are the basic standard. A plan that runs alongside each job will mean you will finish your training with broad skills & knowledge & a super competitive CV :-) This organised approach is adaptable to any profession. It’s transparent, ambitious, reproducible, doesn’t dilute job focus & provides opportunities for collaboration. Sticking to this plan worked for me as I rotated through a training scheme & fellowship and had two children- the habit has stuck and to a certain extent i still set out goals in 6-12 mo blocks 🤩 #Medicine #Training

7 promising career paths to explore (as the public health landscape evolves). 1. Health Technology - digital health startups, AI in healthcare, health informatics 2. Health Philanthropy - foundations funding public health initiatives 3. Pharmaceutical & Biotech - drug safety, health policy analysis 4. Health Insurance & Managed Care - population health, value-based care strategies 5. Corporate Wellness & Employee Health - workplace health programs, employee health initiatives 6. Public Health Consulting & Entrepreneurship - advisory roles for companies, independent public health initiatives 7. Venture Capital & Health Investment - funding public health innovations, impact investing As traditional federal roles shrink, public health graduates must expand their vision. The career you originally envisioned may be shifting—or disappearing altogether. But here’s the good news: - Your skill set is still in demand. - These emerging paths offer long-term potential and impact. - Your degree can open doors—you just need to knock on new ones.

New job functions will be needed to meet the changing nature of healthcare delivery and reimbursement. And soon. Here are five predictions. 1. TEAM coordinator. CMS has doubled down on bundled payments with the new Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) model.  Released in the 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) 2025 rule, TEAM is a five-year, mandatory episode-based payment model that starts in January 2026. It includes Lower Extremity Joint Replacements, Surgical Hip Femur Fracture Treatments, Spinal Fusions, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts, and Major Bowel Procedures, stratifies risk in 3 tracks, and assesses performance by comparing actual Medicare FFS spending to a target price, as well as how hospitals perform on quality measures (readmissions, patient safety, and patient-reported outcomes). CDI and coding professionals can impact model performance by ensuring patients are appropriately included or excluded by ICD-10 code. But someone will have to manage the process and ensure their organization is meeting quality and financial targets. 2. Data analyst/informaticist. Big data is the future of medicine. Being able to track diagnosis capture by specialty or down to the individual provider level is powerful and can reveal areas of opportunity. For example, a CDI informaticist may drill down to PSI 11 (postoperative respiratory failure rate), producing a report of how often this diagnosis is being reported, and by which specialties, to launch new documentation improvement or quality improvement interventions, or offer targeted education. 3. Epic liaison. Technology adoption is exploding, and EHRs including (but not limited to) Epic are increasingly adding on revenue cycle functionality. These include point of care prompts to providers, generative artificial intelligence that create progress notes, etc. But, it can’t all be used out of the box. It requires turning on some pieces, “sleeping” others, educating providers etc. This requires a liaison between the vendor and IT. 4. Managed care coordinator/risk adjustment liaison. One of the most basic ways to move the risk adjustment needle in an organization is to just get your patients seen annually. To schedule annual wellness visits and then ensure that patients aren’t missing appointments. Providers need to be teed up with the right information pre-visit. 5. Pilot project manager. Given the number of new initiatives (see above) you could start, doing them all at once is not feasible. One way to dip your toe in the water is through a pilot project. For example, piloting social determinants of health (SDOH) capture in a couple of clinics before rolling it out organization-wide. This requires someone who understands both the documentation and coding aspects, but also clinic workflows coupled with strong project management skills. HIM/coding/CDI professionals with the desire to learn are well-positioned for these roles. What roles do you think will be needed?

One question I got multiple times at a recent career fair organized by Nova Scotia Health Authority is, “𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒕?" ✅ Yes! Many successful healthcare data analysts come from finance, business, engineering, or general data backgrounds. Healthcare is the fastest-growing data field, and there is a huge demand for analysts who can turn data into decisions. EHR adoption, value-based care, and AI in medicine = more data jobs. Plus, it is a recession-resistant industry with competitive salaries and clear career advancement pathways. Are you transitioning from other fields? The trick is to identify and apply transferable skills: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞/𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐬? Your Excel/SQL skills transfer—learn healthcare KPIs. 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬/𝐂𝐒 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐬? Your Python skills are gold—apply them to bioinformatics or predictive modeling. 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬? Start with healthcare admin roles (billing, ops) to gain domain knowledge. Now let's tackle the healthcare-specific knowledge that will set you apart from other analysts trying to break into the field. 💡Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems: The backbone of healthcare data. While you can't practice on these directly without employment, understanding their structure is crucial. ➡️ Major EHR platforms: Epic, Cerner, Allscripts, Meditech ➡️ Most healthcare analytics roles extract data from these systems via SQL (essential skill) ➡️ Free resources: Epic's UserWeb offers some training (create a free account) ➡️ YouTube videos showing EHR interfaces provide context 💡 Essential Healthcare Terminology: ➡️  Medical coding systems: ICD-10 (diagnoses), CPT (procedures), HCPCS (supplies) ➡️ Quality measures: HEDIS, CMS quality measures, UDS ➡️ Payment models: Fee-for-service vs. value-based care ➡️ Healthcare settings: Inpatient vs. outpatient, acute vs. ambulatory 💡    Compliance is King: Have an understanding of HIPAA, PHIPA, GDPR – privacy laws 💡       Free/Low-Cost Resources: (Links in the comment) Coursera's Health Informatics Specialization, Healthcare IT Certifications, Healthcare Analytics Council articles, AHIMA's Introduction to Healthcare Data Analytics Master these areas, and you'll speak the language that distinguishes casual applicants from serious candidates Some of the successful healthcare analysts I know didn't start with medical background; they brought fresh analytical perspectives and learned the healthcare domain on the job. 👣 Action Step: Post on LinkedIn: "I'm starting my transition into healthcare data analytics. If you're in the field, I’d love to learn from your experience." Next post: Building a Healthcare Data Analyst Portfolio (Projects That Get You Hired)   #HealthcareAnalytics  #CareerTransition #DataAnalyst

I realized something important about surgeons today. Your expertise isn't enough anymore. Not in 2025. I consulted with 37 top surgeons last quarter. The most successful ones weren't just technically skilled - they had strong personal brands. Here's what separated them: • They were recognized beyond their hospital walls • Patients requested them specifically • They commanded higher compensation • They attracted better opportunities The surgeons struggling? Excellent doctors who believed their work would speak for itself. It doesn't. In today's healthcare environment, standing out matters. Your reputation extends beyond the OR. 3 steps the leading surgeons took: 1️⃣ They defined their unique position What specific procedures/approaches are you known for? The surgeons who narrowed their focus paradoxically expanded their influence. 2️⃣ They documented their journey Sharing case studies (anonymized), research interests, and continuous learning showed their commitment to excellence. 3️⃣ They built digital authority Professional websites, targeted content, and strategic networking amplified their in-person reputation. One orthopedic surgeon I worked with implemented these strategies and saw referrals increase 65% in six months. The medical landscape has transformed. Excellence is expected. Distinction is earned. Your surgical skills save lives. Your personal brand determines whose lives you'll have the opportunity to save. What one step will you take this week to strengthen your professional reputation? #SurgeonBranding #PersonalBranding #MedicalMarketing #HospitalSuccess #PersonalBrandingStrategies

Too many laboratory professionals find themselves stuck 2-5 years after graduation. Confined to bench work they've outgrown. Trapped in roles that no longer challenge them. I get it completely. I did some moving around myself before finding my true calling in laboratory consulting and diagnostics. Here's the truth: your path forward begins with mastering where you are now. Your current laboratory position pays your bills. (Unless you have family wealth to fall back on). Whether you're running PCRs, managing quality control, or handling specimens in a lab—be excellent at it. The better your performance, the more leverage you create. Want to transition beyond the bench into roles you'll genuinely enjoy? Start by becoming indispensable where you are. No laboratory will promote someone whose basic work doesn't demonstrate excellence. Exciting news! In my newsletter "Insights Beyond Bloodwork," I'm launching a new series. It features roles perfectly suited for ambitious laboratory professionals: Laboratory consulting Diagnostic Sales Public health roles Healthcare management Learn the skills for these roles now. Connect with mentors who've made similar transitions. Volunteer for projects that showcase capabilities beyond technical skills. Build your value before requesting new opportunities. And please—don't be the complainer. Your colleagues don't need to hear how much you dislike routine testing. Or how overqualified you feel. What they'll remember? Your energy and attitude each day. Make it positive. Make it productive. Excellence opens doors in healthcare just as it does everywhere else. Be so good they have no choice but to notice your potential. Subscribe to "Insights Beyond Bloodwork" today. Transform your laboratory expertise into a fulfilling healthcare career. Your experience is too valuable to be limited to just one workspace.

Life as an Acute Ophthalmologist: When my NHS career took a paradigm shift as a Fellow in Acute Ophthalmology at one of the busiest A&E departments in the UK, I was a bit stressed. However, this journey continues to be phenomenal! Four lessons I've learnt during this fantastic experience (which might help the beginning eyecare providers): 1. A Brain Gym: Eye casualty sessions train our minds to think, push us beyond our comfort zones, and help us view the eye and the patient as a single entity. Meibomitis can be as debilitating as macular degeneration for our patients - both require our attention. A/E re-trained me to look at those lids and lashes and to be a beginner again - 'Shoshin' :) 2. The Circle of Care: A/E is often the first point of contact for patients with acute issues and chronic implications. Many patients recognise us because we saw them in their initial troubled days. One of the biggest perks of this fellowship is the option to choose your special interest. I laser my patients with PDR in the Med Ret clinic, whom I had seen earlier in Urgent Care for the bloody vitreous. This completes the circle. 3. Ask for Help: At Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, St.George's, we are fortunate to have world-class specialist care in the next cubicle! When I encounter complex ulcers, Mr Romesh Angunawela and Mr Rohan Hussain from Corneal Services always provide their kind support and expertise, which is a boon for an AE Ophthalmologist! Calling for help does not show weakness; it demonstrates that we value our patients over our egos. 4. An Educator's Dream: Finally, if you are a passionate educator like me, you would see every acute clinical scenario as a teaching opportunity and an enthralling story to tell. I always cherish the A/E sessions with my students during my previous stint as a Teaching Fellow, when working with the amazing Prof. Narciss Okhravi. Eye casualty, akin to operating on a floppy iris, can be pretty daunting. But we never grow in our comfort zones, do we? :)

After 2+ 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 since leaving oil & gas labor analytics, here's my 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 for industry transitions: The steps below helped my journey, but the market has changed. Read to the end to see what I would add now. 1. 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ↳ Prioritize technologies to solve the industry's unique problems  ↳ In healthcare, Excel remains foundational (pivot tables, charts, complex formulas).  ↳ SQL and Python provided a competitive advantage. 2. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ↳ Learned core SQL functions (SELECT, JOINs, and WHERE).  ↳ Develop Python skills through consistent practice.  ↳ Utilize platforms like DataCamp and Udemy for structured learning. I have extensive experience with Excel. (Yet, I still completed some courses.) 3. 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 ↳ Update profile picture with a clean headshot. ↳ Targeted headline and about sections for key data terms. ↳ Reach out to potential hiring managers/recruiters for desired roles. 4. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 ↳ Target courses or platforms that give certificates.  ↳ Download certificates and share in posts as completed. ↳ Two years ago, this was all I posted on LinkedIn, but it got attention and helped me stand out. What I'd add today: 5. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 ↳ Create end-to-end solutions (ETL lite processes, not just dashboards).  ↳ Develop automated reporting systems with regular refreshes.  ↳ Demonstrate database integration capabilities. The key here is to solve a real problem that is core to your target industry. 6. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 ↳ Share posts to establish industry credibility on LinkedIn.  ↳ Help others while reinforcing your knowledge.  ↳ Showcase advanced techniques (window functions, complex queries, Pandas). Post consistently to demonstrate your critical thinking skills. You'd be surprised what opportunities emerge from sharing your process. Your competitive advantage isn't sending 1000 resumes. It's strategically positioning yourself as a problem-solver for your target industry. Are you looking to transition into a different industry? Share below! #DataCareer #CareerTransition #HealthcareAnalytics #DataSkills