Do you have military experience and want a fulfilling job in the healthcare field? Do you see yourself working in a pool of people providing healthcare services? Working in this industry can open doors to a variety of healthcare settings, each with its own unique challenges and rewards. What’s even better? It’s easier to reconcile work and personal life when you choose your own hours. This article will discuss the ways in which veterans may use their VA education benefits to begin and advance in the healthcare industry.
Veterans who are looking for a dynamic and ever-changing career path may find their match in the healthcare services pool. Workers in the healthcare services pool may be asked to fill in at healthcare institutions like hospitals and nursing homes when regular staff members are absent. Nursing, medical assisting, and similar fields fall under this category. Working in a variety of places is only one perk of this career path, but it may also be a great opportunity to obtain valuable job experience and learn new techniques. But how do military personnel enter this field? Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits are the key.
Different Roles In A Healthcare Services Pool And Salaries
Registered Nurses:
In a variety of medical settings, registered nurses (RNs) provide patients with a variety of nursing care services. They may help patients take their medications, aid doctors during operations, and comfort patients and their loved ones. A registered nurse (RN) who is part of a healthcare services pool may be assigned to a variety of different types of healthcare institutions. In May 2020, registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $80,010, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In terms of income, the lowest 10% made less than $53,410, while the wealthiest 10% made more than $116,230.
Licensed Practical Nurses:
Under the direction of registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) offer patients with entry-level nursing services. They are capable of providing medicine administration, taking vital signs, and personal care assistance. To ensure patients receive the best possible treatment, LPNs in a healthcare services pool may work in a variety of venues. In May 2020, a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse might expect a median annual salary of $50,090, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In terms of income, the bottom 10% made less than $35,120, while the top 10% made more than $66,650.
Medical Assistants:
A medical assistant is a person who helps doctors and other medical professionals treat patients. It is possible for them to obtain patient histories, measure vital signs, and even aid in surgical procedures. A medical assistant who is part of a healthcare services pool may find themselves working in a variety of venues, including clinics, hospitals, and private practices. In May 2020, a medical assistant may expect to earn a median salary of $35,850, as reported by the BLS. The lowest 10% made less than $26,800, while the wealthiest 10% made over $50,580.
Personal Care Aides:
Patients who require assistance with activities of daily life can rely on the services provided by personal care assistants. They can lend a hand with things like personal hygiene and getting ready for the day. Personal care aides who are part of a healthcare services pool may provide services to patients either at their homes or in institutional settings. In May 2020, personal care attendants earned a median hourly income of $12.39, as reported by the BLS. Earnings for the bottom 10% were below $9.16, while those for the top 10% were above $17.69.
Physical Therapists:
A physical therapist’s job is to treat people with limited mobility and physical function due to illness or injury. They may work with patients to design treatment regimens and deliver direct care. Hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation facilities are just some of the places where physical therapists from a shared healthcare workforce may find employment. In May 2020, physical therapists earned a median annual salary of $91,010, as reported by the BLS. In terms of income, the bottom 10% made less than $64,940, while the top 10% made more than $126,690.
Common Sevices Provided By Workers In A Health Care Services Pool
1. Nursing Services
Nurses employed through a healthcare services pool have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings. Medication administration, wound care, patient evaluations, and other forms of nursing care fall under this umbrella. They can also provide a hand in patient and family member counseling and education.
2. Medical Assisting Services
Medical assisting is another service that may be provided by members of a healthcare workforce pool. This may involve performing diagnostic tests, taking patient histories, and providing hands-on assistance during surgical operations. A medical assistant may find employment in a variety of healthcare settings, including but not limited to hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices.
3. Caregiving Services
Workers from the healthcare services pool can provide personal care services to patients who require help with things like bathing, dressing, eating, and grooming. This may entail taking a shower, putting on clean clothes, and grooming oneself. These can be offered in the comfort of a patient’s own home or in an institutional setting.
4. Help from a Therapist
Therapist services are another option that patients have access to through the healthcare service pool. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are all examples of this category. Patients with a wide range of health issues can benefit from their assistance, as they try to rehabilitate and strengthen themselves.
5. Services Administrative
Staff members from healthcare services pools can now assist medical centers with administrative tasks. Appointment-setting, telephone answering, and chart maintenance are all examples of such activities. These employees are essential to the proper functioning of a healthcare institution.
Accessing a Healthcare Service Pool: Next Steps
Research Healthcare Services Pools:
Find local pools of healthcare providers by doing some online research. To find temporary or part-time work in the healthcare industry, you could contact staffing agencies, recruiting organizations, or internet job boards that focus on this industry.
Analyze the Needs:
The criteria for participation in a healthcare services pool may vary per organization. Some may have very strict qualifications, such as certificates or prior expertise in a given field, while others may be more open-ended. Please read the application guidelines thoroughly.
Fill out and send in an application:
Apply to a healthcare service pool if you’ve determined it fulfills your requirements. Your efforts may include sending a CV, completing an online form, or attending an interview.
Complete Any Necessary Training:
Get the necessary certificates or training for the healthcare service pool right now. Learning options include classroom instruction, self-study, and on-the-job experience.
Get Your License:
DOING A HISTORY CHECK-
It is recommended to have a background check before applying to a healthcare services pool. This is to guarantee that you are qualified for the position and can handle the physical demands of the job.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) states that applicants must use a DBPR-approved supplier for electronic fingerprinting services in order to satisfy this requirement. One of the most often utilized authorized suppliers is the Florida Electronic Fingerprinting Service.
Check with the healthcare services pool or your state’s regulatory body for more information on the procedure and regulations for background checks, since they may differ by company and state.
LICENSE APPLICATION PROCESS-
Depending on the state in which you reside and/or your employer’s policies, you may be required to hold a certification or license in order to participate in a healthcare services pool. You must submit an application to the relevant agency or organization in order to be considered for the certification or license. Submitting proof of your credentials throughout the application process is standard practice.
PREPPING FOR THE TEST-
You may be required to show that you have the requisite knowledge and abilities by passing an examination as part of the certification or licensing process. The certification or licensing body will often give study resources to help you get ready for the test.
ACQUIRING A PERMIT-
Certification or licensing to practice in a healthcare field is provided upon completion of all prerequisites, including examinations. Be aware that certification and licensing needs might differ by state and by company, and keep up with any shifts in the laws and standards in your field.
Start Working-
You can begin working as a healthcare professional in the pool when you have submitted your application and completed the required training. Based on your skills and the needs of the healthcare facilities in the pool, you may be given temporary or contract work.
Use Your VA Education Benefits To Join A Shared Healthcare Workforce
If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers educational benefits that might help you receive the education and certification you need to apply for and succeed in your desired position. Some of the VA’s educational perks are as follows, and they can assist you get started in the healthcare business as a service member:
- The New Veterans Assistance Act of 2009: Veterans and their families who qualify can get assistance with housing and higher education costs under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. In addition to providing a monthly housing allowance and stipend for other expenditures, this benefit can cover the cost of tuition, books, and fees.
- Employment and Vocational Reintegration (VR&E): Veterans with impairments related to their military service can take use of VR&E’s training and education services in order to obtain gainful employment. This benefit can be used to pay for living expenses, as well as school expenses including tuition, books, and fees.
- The Montgomery GI Bill is a program that helps pay for college tuition for veterans who have served in the military for at least two years. This benefit is paid on the student’s behalf and may be used to offset educational expenses.
Final Takeaway
Veteran employment in the healthcare sector may be both flexible and lucrative if they join a healthcare services pool. Veterans can receive the education and training they need to fill a variety of positions in the healthcare services industry by taking advantage of VA educational advantages including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, and the Montgomery GI Bill. The VA provides several educational benefits for those seeking careers in the healthcare industry, including nursing, medical assisting, and other related fields. It is possible to combine a profession in healthcare with military service if you have the necessary education and expertise.
