Author Archives: Zach Kohlmeier

What to Wear to a Nursing Interview

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You’ve probably heard all the generic tips for a successful interview: come prepared, sit up straight, and dress the part. But for nurses, dressing the part can make it harder to actually get the part. So should you show up ready to scrub in, or should you arrive in something completely different than your normal workwear? Here’s your head-to-toe guide on putting together an appropriate nursing interview outfit.

The Hair

Your interview hairstyle is probably the sole part of your attire that should mirror your work presentation. Just like you would on the clock, keep your hair tucked and out of your face. Trim, groom, and appropriately style facial hair, if necessary. If you have medium to long hair, consider tying it back in a sleek bun or tame up do. However, if your hair is short, you can easily get away with a clean brush and a bit of styling product.

The Outfit

Picking the right outfit for a nursing interview is critical — but not difficult. Turn to neutral tones, and make sure your outfit is clean, pressed, and presentable. Women should wear a mid-length skirt or slacks with a blazer, while men should lean towards a suit and tie. Regardless of which outfit you go with, shop ahead of time so you select the perfect size, length, and fit that isn’t too tight or baggy.

The Accessories

To show personality while staying professional, nurses sometimes wear colorful scrubs with fun prints and patterns. During your interview, however, you’ll want to accessorize for functionality rather than flair. If you want to wear jewelry, stick with plain options like stud earrings and a classy watch. And if you prefer to wear cosmetics, lean towards a neutral, minimalistic makeup look.

The Shoes

Shoes can make or break an outfit, but the interview room isn’t the place to start setting trends. Instead of opting for stilettos or boots, polish your look off with a pair of cap toe shoes, flats, or modest heels. As always, pay attention to matching your shoes with the rest of your outfit, including the belt, and tucking or neatly tying your laces.

Land an Interview With HSS

Picking the right outfit isn’t the only way to prepare for a nursing interview. To get insider tips on perfecting your resume and delivering a killer elevator pitch, join the talent network and start your job hunt on the right foot with HealthCare Support. Our healthcare recruiters match each candidate with relevant positions and equip them with the tools and knowledge to confidently tackle applications, interviews, and performance reviews. For more information, call us today at 407-478-0332.

Tips for Floating to Another Unit

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From the patients to the treatments to the actual unit, nearly every part of your job as a registered nurse can change on a daily basis. Shifting constantly can be intimidating as a newcomer to nursing but having some professional tools and techniques can make any transition easier to face. To prepare for your first day floating or to minimize your overall anxiety about switching units, keep the following tips in mind.

Start Your Shift Right  

Some units can seem more intimidating than others, but the staff on each floor undoubtedly appreciate a warm introduction. Introduce yourself to the other nurses on duty, let them know if you’re feeling a little nervous or are new to floating, and offer yourself to be of assistance. A simple conversation like this can make you feel immediately more comfortable in any unit and help you to make connections that will boost your confidence when needing to ask for extra guidance.

Likewise, you must make a point to meet with your resource nurse or the unit charge nurse to ask any questions you have about your daily tasks and understand if they have any beneficial information to give out. Once you’ve made your introductions, get ready to officially gear up for the rest of your shift.

Become Familiar with the Area

Floating to a new unit is intimidating largely because the surroundings are a bit different than what you normally work in. So, once you get to know your fellow nurses, get to know your unit. Whether you can receive a guided tour from someone on staff or have to personally make it your mission to scan the hall yourself, track and memorize locations of key areas. Know these areas ahead of time so you won’t have to struggle to find or guide visitors to them during the busier hours of your shift.

Make the Most of Your Day

Regardless of how intimidating a unit might seem, you are prepared to handle whatever the day throws your way. View the opportunity in another unit as a chance to learn, grow, and gain new skills. Let your education and on-the-job experience guide your decisions and maximize your time on the clock. If you have any questions or concerns, approach the other nurses in your hall and kindly request a helping hand. Since you’ve already made the right introduction, they’ll have no problem understanding your situation and offering their assistance.

End Your Shift with a Smile

To end your day on a high note, give thanks to the nurses and other employees who lent their support. If you end up floating to the unit again in the future, you’ll already have rapport with the stationed staff members. Talk with the charge nurse to gain feedback on your performance and learn what you can do to enhance your time in their unit in the future. When it comes to floating to another unit, practice really can make your experience perfect.

Industry Tips from Healthcare Recruiters

If floating to another unit isn’t the only thing that intimidates you about being a registered nurse, contact the healthcare recruiters at HealthCare Support. Our team will equip you with the tools to feel confident in each shift. And, we’ll provide you with expert industry advice to guide you to the healthcare facility that fits your professional style. To receive more information on our services or join our healthcare talent network, call us today at 407-478-0332.

8 Survival Tips for New Registered Nurses

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Despite how much effort modern nursing programs put into their curriculum, switching from student to working professional can throw any graduate a few curveballs. If you’re eager to get started on your clinical career as a registered nurse, here are eight survival tips to help you land swiftly on your feet.

Ask Questions

Even if you graduated at the top of your class, there’s still much more to learn on the job. And because there’s no guesswork in nursing, you should never be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions helps you to avoid mistakes, learn with little to no error, and get more comfortable with your professional peers. You can find a go-to mentor for your deeper career questions, and turn to coworkers for everyday inquiries.

Improve Your Diet

Stay sharp with the right foods. Yes, candy bars and other processed foods are easily accessible and often more tempting during overtime hours. However, eating the wrong food can be just as bad as eating no food at all. Whether you have to take bites between tasks or bring healthy, on-the-go snacks that you can stash in your scrubs, remember that quality matters just as much as quantity.

Be Honest

As a nurse, you should try to only guarantee what you can to your patients. For example, instead of saying that you’ll return to check on a patient in five minutes, comfort a patient by letting him or her know that you’ll be back as soon as possible. Even if you have the intention of returning in five minutes, as promised, there are countless incidents that could pop up and prevent you from keeping your word.

Get More Hours

A lack of rest can hinder productivity, impair focus, and increase the likelihood of making a mistake. Therefore, both new and veteran nurses can benefit from getting adequate sleep. Because, even if you focus on a high-quality diet, your mind can’t function at full capacity without resting for a full seven to nine hours.

Arrive on Time

Tardiness is totally unacceptable in healthcare. With so many patients in need of critical care, every minute matters to both your patients and your peers. And, because every other RN is also focusing on their health, wellness, and productivity, your tardiness can put some wear and tear on their job satisfaction and team contribution.

Take Notes

If you’re making an important phone call to a doctor or other staff member, don’t try to remember all the details on your own—that includes the key points you may need to bring up or the essential information you may need to receive. Whenever you’re making or taking a call, try to have a writing utensil and pad so you can take notes or prewrite important points that you need to discuss.

Invest in Footwear

As a nurse, you’ll be on your feet more than not, which means it’s essential to invest in the right footwear. The wrong footwear won’t just hurt your feet; lower back pain, knee pain, and even shoulder pain can all stem from the wrong shoes. If you’re able to, invest in a durable pair of shoes with serious support and a great fit. Or, consider purchasing orthopedic inserts and compression socks that can improve the function and feel of your current pair.

Know Yourself

The best way to survive a career in nursing is to find the facility that fits. For example, if you thrive in a fast-paced environment with a lot of variety, a hospital can provide you with constant engagement. However, if you prefer a lower patient load and more structure in each shift, you might enjoy working in a smaller healthcare setting, like a clinic or doctor’s office.

Find the Right Recruiter

To find your healthcare match based on lifestyle, personality, location, and company culture, partner with the healthcare recruiters at HealthCare Support. Our team of career professionals will evaluate your personal and professional preferences to match you with fitting positions. To join our talent network and have instant access to relevant job openings, interview preparation, and resume building tips, call us today at 407-478-0332.

 

Myths About Pharmacy Careers Debunked

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Plenty of people have misconceptions about what goes on in the world of pharmacy. But if you’re thinking about pursuing a career in the field, even a few wrong ideas can make you second-guess your next move. To help recent grads get started on their careers, let’s get the facts straight about what it actually looks like to work in pharmacy.

Myth #1: Pharmacists need bachelor’s degrees

A career in pharmacy undoubtedly requires years of higher education; however, a bachelor’s degree isn’t a necessary prerequisite for pharmacy school. Of course, more education will look better on a pharmacy school application, but many students enroll in a pharmacy program with just two to three years of undergraduate education.

Myth #2: Pharmacists can’t specialize  

Because pharmacists earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) rather than a Doctor of Medicine (MD), many people assume that they’re already in a specialized field. However, pharmacists can specialize their field of practice from a choice of multiple areas, such as:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Oncology
  • Pediatrics

Myth #3: Pharmacists never interact with patients    

Pharmacists aren’t entirely the behind-the-scenes professionals that many believe them to be. In fact, if patients have a question about their prescription or just need a recommendation for an over-the-counter solution, they often go to pharmacists rather than make an appointment with their general practitioner.

Myth #4: Pharmacists only count pills  

Certainly, pharmacists are responsible for distributing medications and ensuring accurate dosages. However, there are a lot of other tasks that can pop up in their day to day, including:

  • Assisting in product research and clinical trials
  • Filling prescriptions and dispensing drugs
  • Training incoming pharmacists
  • Informing patients on the side effects and proper usage of their prescriptions
  • Fulfilling insurance documents
  • Verifying script and cross-referencing patient records for drug interactions
  • Advising physicians with patient prescription dosage and type

Myth #5: “Pharmacist” is the only job title you’ll see

You will also see titles such as;

  • Staff Pharmacist
  • Clinical Pharmacist (Compounding)
  • Home Infusion Pharmacist
  • Mail Order Pharmacist
  • Prior Authorization Pharmacist

Myth #6: All Pharmacists work in grocery stores

While most are aware of the in-house pharmacists at their local grocer, some are unaware of the variety of other work settings such as;

  • Mail Order Pharmacies / Pharmacy Benefit Management Companies (warehouse/call center settings)
  • Hospital
  • Long Term Care
  • Specialty Pharmacies
  • Retail stores (including independent pharmacies, supermarket chains, mass merchandisers)
  • Closed door pharmacies

Start Your Pharmacy Career Here

If you’re eager to get your foot in the door of pharmacy, talk with the healthcare recruiters at HealthCare Support. Our talented team is dedicated to placing professionals in the right position based on skills, experience, and preference. Through resume building, interview prep, and inside recruiter knowledge, we can help you find your fit in pharmacy and equip you with the tools to succeed. To learn more about our talent network and take the next steps in your career, call us today at 407-478-0332.

Carol

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I have been working with Brianna M since day one.. she is so positive intelligent and very resourceful.. the interview process was great and was exceptional.. I love my new title and where I was placed.. Health Care Support is the best staffing agency to work for and when you are dealing with an amazing recruiter that’s on point and if you have any problems Brianna always went above and beyond her job..Brianna thank you so much!!

Attracting Quality Talent with Job Postings

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Attracting quality talent has its challenges (or let’s face it, you wouldn’t be reading this!) You could just seek the help of a local staffing firm (or better yet, ours!), or you might decide to take on the challenge of finding your dream hire alone. If you do, you’ll want to know the tips and tricks used by recruiters to help you get the process going.

Job boards are arguably the best tool a staffing agency has. But signing up and paying the monthly fee alone won’t make the magic happen. You’ll need to understand how to narrow your searches using string searching such as Boolean and be able to write the ultimate job description. Since posting jobs are typically the most effective use of job boards, let’s learn how to guarantee you’ll receive lots of qualified candidates!

Keep it Simple!

Job titles should not be more than a couple words long. They should be short and descriptive. Try to avoid internal job names if they vary from the industry’s terminology. For example, if the industry uses the title Call Center Manager – Chief Chatter might not attract the right talent!

Be Specific.

The core of any job post is the responsibilities section.  This section should tell an interested candidate exactly what they’d be doing in your opening. Keep the responsibilities concise and specific. Instead of saying the individual hired would be responsible for answering phone calls, routing calls, taking messages and returning voicemails it’d be better to say they would be responsible for managing a multi-line phone system which receives an average of 100-200 phone calls per day. We’ve quantified the latter description to make sure your applicants are comfortable with that type of call frequency and given them an idea of the pace of work.

Qualify, qualify, qualify…

When listing the qualifications for the position try to list them in order of importance. You may not find candidates that meet all of the bullet points on your list, but they might fill the top 3 and be just what you need. Limit this list to 5 items as too many qualifications can discourage even the most confident candidate.

How About the Perks?

Let’s give them something to get excited about! With the lowest unemployment rate in the last 50 years you’re in serious competition. You need to motivate them to apply by putting your best foot forward. This is where you can list things like the pay structure (where it’s base plus commission or bonuses), opportunities for career development, company culture, health programs and benefits, vacation time, company vehicles, etc., etc.

If you check all of these boxes you’re off to a good start. Remember to keep your post concise. It’s a job seekers market and most applicants today are applying from mobile devices. The goal is to capture their attention, help them envision their role with you and prompt them to apply. Don’t drop the ball in the last second of the game and remember to respond quickly to quality candidates or you’ll miss out.

The Ins and Outs of Being a Medical Office Assistant

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The dynamic role of a medical office assistant requires equal parts customer service and clinical administration. However, even those with a keen eye for detail and a charming disposition still have a lot to learn if they want to secure a career in this rewarding role.

Where can I work as a medical office assistant?

Medical office assistants are vital to every healthcare facility, but their role varies from center to center. In larger facilities, like hospitals, medical office assistants usually work in more specialized positions. Focusing on one particular task, like billing or insurance utilization, allows them to effectively manage the higher patient workload and maintain effective customer service.

In centers with more specialized modes of care, medical office assistants must be more adept to multitask and sometimes take on roles outside of their normal scope. Because smaller facilities, like clinics, have less traffic, fewer patients, and lower workloads, medical office assistants often fill their days with a wide variety of tasks.

What are the job duties of a medical office assistant?

The responsibilities of a medical office assistant are rarely black and white. Overlapping duties include:

  • Answering, returning, and transferring phone calls
  • Greeting incoming patients
  • Scheduling patient appointments
  • Organizing, processing, and uploading patient documents
  • Handling and processing patient payments and insurance forms
  • Maintaining a clean and professional reception area
  • Overseeing facility emails and digital communication

Regardless of what kind of facility a medical office assistant works in, they must have respectable phone etiquette and strong customer service skills. They must also be extremely organized and experienced with managing their own schedule.

How do I become a medical office assistant?  

Beyond a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience, most employers prefer candidates to have a medical administrative assistant certificate along with one to two years of experience in a similar role. However, even candidates with no prior professional experience can succeed in a medical office assistant position with the help of a healthcare recruiter.

If you’re convinced that the role of medical office assistant is right for you, join the professional network at HealthCare Support. Our team of healthcare recruiters can guide you to the right facility for your schedule, location, and lifestyle. And, we can equip you with the tools to ace any interview and even negotiate a stronger compensation package for the start of your new career. To join our talent network and get ahead of the competition, call us today at 407-478-0332.

How to Network in Pharmacy

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Networking isn’t exclusive to potential job candidates; it’s something professionals must continuously practice in their career. Whether you’re new to the world of networking or want to fine-tune your communication skills, here’s our guide to cultivating the right connections.

Places to Network as a Pharmacist

Even if you know how to network, you might not know exactly where to start. Here are some of the best places to go to when you want to grow your list of professional contacts.

  • Charitable organizations – You don’t have to be a student to rack up some community service hours. Volunteering in your field is a great way to offer your skills to a respectable organization and add some like-minded individuals to your network.
  • School functions – If you’re still in pharmacy school, take advantage of all the student resources on campus. Attend job fairs, interview your professors, and join clubs that can help you network with pharmacists or pharmacy technicians.
  • Pharmacist conferences – Conferences are a key networking tool, because you can select ones specific to your industry. And, you can attend panels, workshops, or individual sessions to expand your knowledge and your network.

Networking Tips for Pharmacists

Networking comes easier to some than others, but it’s still a skill that anyone can master with practice. Here are some tips to help take the edge off of any professional interactions you might have in your networking journey.

  • Learn to actively listen. Making eye contact, nodding your head, and even repeating phrases back to another person lets them know that you are fully engaged in the conversation.
  • Practice your elevator pitch. Whether you’re trying to stand out to an employer or just want to effectively introduce yourself to another medical professional, you need a strong elevator pitch with personal and professional information.
  • Dress professionally. If you want to effectively extend your network of professionals, dress like a professional. Wear neutral colors, groom your hair, and put some extra overall effort into your appearance.
  • Ask questions. To use networking to your advantage, ask employers what they look for in pharmacist applicants. Likewise, when networking with other pharmacists, ask them any questions you have about their career that can help yours.
  • Keep in contact. Email and LinkedIn are professional ways to stay in touch with your connections. After an event, draft an email or send a message reminding them where you met and some key points you talked about.

Start Building Your Pharmacy Network

If you want more networking advice to enhance your professional network, partner with the healthcare networking professionals at HealthCare Support. We’ll work to optimize your resume, improve your elevator pitch, and elevate your professional communication. For more information on our talent network services, call 407-478-0332.