Clinical opportunities, administrative opportunities, and clerical opportunities are all available in hospitals. In addition, jobs in the environmental services and housekeeping departments, as well as the security and dietary departments, can be found in a hospital setting. Even for part-time employees, hospital jobs typically offer job security and generous benefits.
Registered or practical nurses are one of the most common hospital career options. These professionals are the hospital’s backbone, and their responsibilities range from working at the bedside to working in the hospital office. Hospitals typically promote from within, and many have job boards where current job openings can be found.
Flexibility in scheduling is another benefit of working in a hospital. This is especially common in the nursing department. Many hospitals allow nurses to work eight- or 12-hour shifts, with the option to work only on weekends if desired. Many hospitals also offer “registry” positions, which allow employees to pick and choose which days they want to work. Employees in registry positions typically earn a higher hourly wage, but this pay comes at the expense of benefits such as vacation time and medical insurance.
Working on the kitchen line, cooking, or doing clerical work are all options available in the hospital’s dietary department. A registered dietician who is familiar with the nutritional needs of patients with various medical conditions is usually employed by the dietary department. Within 24 hours of admission, the dietician usually visits the patient to discuss his food preferences and menu options.
Lab technologists and technicians are two other types of hospital employees. Employees in these departments work in labs such as microbiology, chemistry, pathology, and serology. An employee working in a hospital laboratory can usually dress in either street clothes or a uniform or hospital scrubs. However, they are typically required to wear lab coats to protect their clothing.
Although this is not always the case, colleges that offer health care programs may offer job placement programs for those interested in working in hospitals. People who are interested in working in a hospital are usually ecstatic to learn about the wide range of positions available. Preceptorship programs are available at many hospitals for new nursing graduates. Preceptorships last six weeks and allow a new nurse to work alongside an experienced nurse to gain experience with the hospital routine, clinical practices, and policies and procedures.