Social Media Best Practices for Healthcare Professionals

Social Media Best Practices for Healthcare Professionals

Staying connected, particularly now when social functions are still stymied by the pandemic, is important. Social media gives us a way to vent, to share stories, and to connect with others in a way that can make us feel better. But of course, clinical and administrative professionals in the healthcare profession should be careful to follow an online code of ethics when using these tools.

Follow HIPAA Regulations

The first, and probably most obvious responsibility is to follow HIPAA regulations when posting online. There were a few publicized snafus a few years ago when some nurses shared some inappropriate pictures online. Organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) now have guidelines for clinical professionals to follow. The guidelines are fairly practical in scope; generally, you shouldn’t share any information on social media that would compromise patient health information (PHI) or that would create a negative impression of your organization and the care they offer.

Keep Profiles Private

Second, you should always keep your profiles private and accessible only by your online followers. We suggest caution in “friending” your coworkers until you know them and are comfortable with the content that they post. You don’t want any blowback from a coworker who is less-than judicious about what they share. It’s fine to set up two separate profiles, a professional and personal account on your favorite social channels. That way the line between life and work remains distinct.

Check with your Employer

Third, check with your hospital or healthcare employer to see what rules they recommend around social media. You can use these tools to attract more patients to your practice, but just make sure you’re not violating any rules of conduct set by your employer.

Stay Positive

Finally, stay positive on social. It may be tempting to blow off steam after a bad day, but truly, we recommend finding another outlet. Even if your profile is private, the information you share on social media is out there for your friends to reshare. So, say a social follower reposts what you’ve said, but their account isn’t private and your employer picks up on a complaint about a bad work experience you posted. Generally, it’s better to be cautious instead of letting it rip on a social venue.

Healthcare professionals carry the additional weight of representing their clinical profession to the public. As such, there are professional responsibilities that must be considered every time you go into the very public form of online social media platforms. Stay aware of these responsibilities and set up boundaries to protect your professional career.

For healthcare professionals seeking new opportunities, AG Globe Services is standing by to represent you to top employers. Browse our open positions today to get started!

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Healthcare Positions on the Rise in 2022

Healthcare Positions on the Rise in 2022

There is no question that healthcare jobs are hot right now. Becker’s Hospital Review says hospitals will need to hire 1.1 million registered nurses by 2026 just to keep up with demand. Non-skilled positions such as material handlers, housekeeping, and other vital but lower-wage roles will need 10.7 million people to keep up with demand. From physical therapists to phlebotomists, there seems to be no end to the number of jobs we need to fill in the healthcare space. If you’re thinking about getting into the field, or if you’re an administrator trying to plan ahead, which jobs show the biggest growth? In this blog, we’ll break down the healthcare positions that are on the rise in 2022—and beyond.

 

Job 1: Nurse Practitioners

Becker’s reminds us that there is a serious primary care physician shortage. This necessitates the demand for physician extenders to carry the majority of primary care encounters. Nurse practitioners will experience a 52% increase in available jobs by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). These positions require a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, a program that generally takes about 32 months. However, these roles pay six figures (average salary $111,840) and many organizations today are offering incentives like loan forgiveness or signing bonuses to sweeten the deal. N.P.s carry a clinical caseload and do their part every day to help people making this an important job in the healthcare paradigm. They work in a variety of environments, from small independent practices to large healthcare settings, outpatient care centers and more.

 

Job 2: Physical Therapy Assistants

Physical therapy assistants work with patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to provide orthopedic and rehabilitative care to patients. These patients typically suffer from injuries that reduce their mobility and limit their quality of life. These roles require only an associate degree, which can be completed in less than two years. Like N.P. roles, these positions are benefiting from signing bonuses and other perks to help sweeten the deal for new hires. These roles typically pay an average of nearly $60,000 annually and the demand is much higher than other types of jobs, with a projected growth of about 35% through 2030 according to the BLS.

 

Job 3: Medical Assistants

For people looking to get into the field of healthcare, you can earn an associate degree as a medical assistant (MAs) in about 16-months. The demand for these positions is projected to be about 18% through the year 2030. The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) says hiring M.A.s is more difficult than ever, with 88% of healthcare providers saying they can’t find enough medical assistants to go around. This means these roles will continue to not only pay well but expect competitive sign-on bonuses and more to sweeten the employment contract. The current average salary for an M.A. in the U.S. is $17.17 per hour, or $35,720. The roles and responsibilities of these positions vary according to the employer. Generally, M.A.s handle clinical tasks such as patient vital signs as well as administrative functions. You’ll find these professionals all over the healthcare sector, too, so the choice of job environments is vast.

 

A.G. Globe Services offers employers a chance to fully outsource their healthcare recruitment processes. For candidates, we can match you with the best opportunities in the industry today. Contact us to find out how we can help you meet your hiring and career goals, or browse our open positions today!

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