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Tips for a Successful Career Change

With about 14.8 million people out of work, according to the latest government numbers, many people are looking for jobs that they wouldn’t consider doing pre-recession. Some are considering part-time jobs rather than full-time work, others are relocating to get a job, and others are making career changes. In fact, according to a recent SimplyHired.com poll, 64% of job seekers would consider a new career—because 36% are unable to find a job in their current career and 28% are unhappy with their current career.

To make the transition as smooth as possible, here are some tips for a successful career change:

Do your research – Before you attempt to apply for jobs in a new career, find out as much as you can about that industry, such as recent news, leading companies and innovations. In addition, find out what degrees, certificates, credentials, or other education and experience are required for that field. After you’re fully informed about the career, determine if it is something you are really interested in and passionate about.

Build up your relevant experience – If you don’t meet all of the requirements, look into classes at your local college or online, take on a part-time job in that field or find a related internship or volunteer opportunity. Keep in mind that the level of your previous position and pay is not necessarily transferable from one career to the next. Beginning a new career usually requires starting over in an entry-level job.

Revise your resume – After you have the basic qualifications for your new career, look at your own work history to find additional transferable skills and experience. Then, revise your resume to include your new qualifications and the related experience under the listed positions you previously held.

Network – Join an industry organization to meet people in the field you want to get into. Here you can connect with individuals that can become mentors as you break into the field. They may be able to introduce you to people that can propel your new career forward.

application · career change · Executive Recruiter · interviewing · job boards · resume

We see it more often than we would like to and we know ASC staff is working feverishly to prevent them.  Even one Healthcare Acquired Infection is too many.

Here is more about one ASC that has been recognized for infection prevention and what they are doing to keep HAI’s in check.

Article: ASC Infection Control Practices in the Spotlight Again

Ambulatory Surgery Center · ASC · CDC · executive recruiting · Infection Control · regulatory

As a follow up to last week’s blog some of you have wanted to learn more about the highly recognized certification for ASC Administrators. 

BASC (Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification) President Norman Burnette, CPA, CASC graciously shed some light on this topic.

DJ:  What year did CASC credentialing began?

NB:  The first exam was given in the Fall of 2002 in St. Louis MO, 91 individuals sat for the first exam.

DJ:  What is the number of people that have been credentialed each year and is there a growing trend?

NB:  There is presently 517 CASC credentialed individuals in the ASC industry, the number of candidates that have taken the exam has variety each year, the exam has been offered twice a year, at the annual ASC Conference and with a sponsoring organization or event in the fall.  Recent trend has seen a decline in the number of candidates due to the economy however marketing efforts are underway by BASC to increase awareness of the value of this credential in the industry and for those individuals career in the ASC industry.                                                                     

DJ:  Would you mind sharing the percentage of people who pass the exam?

NB:  The passing rate is approximately 75-80% of those candidates that sit for the exam.

DJ:  Why is it important for people in an ASC leadership position to have CASC?

NB:  The CASC credential is the only such industry recognition awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in the field of ambulatory surgery administration.  This credential acknowledges that ASC administrators and other industry professionals have reached a higher standard of professionalism in their career in the industry by demonstrating their commitment to the industry in addition to their comprehensive understanding of the knowledge and skills that the role of an administrator requires.  

DJ:  Who would benefit from taking the CASC exam? (Example: ASC Administrators, Perioperative Directors).

NB:  Those who would benefit from the CASC credential is very broad, obviously the exam was established for ASC Administrators but is also beneficial to those desiring to advance their career, knowledge and expertise in the industry, those individuals are Director of Nursing (Mgrs), Business Office Directors (Mgrs), ASC Management Company leaders, Medical Directors. Physicians, others involved in the healthcare industry.

DJ:  Where can people find a list of CASC testing opportunity locations or events?

NB:  www.aboutcasc.org is the website established by the Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification and is the sole source of all information that any potential candidate should reference who may desire to make application to qualify to take the CASC examination.

DJ:  What are the steps that someone should follow if they want to become CASC?

NB:  The CASC exam is a representation of the knowledge, skills, expertise and experience in the ambulatory surgery industry that an individual possesses and therefore is for those individuals employed or working within the industry in various capacities.  Preparation involves extensive knowledge of a variety of area within the industry.  These areas include Delivery of Patient Care, Quality Management, Human Resources, Financial and Regulatory and Legal Issues.  There are also certain eligibility requirements which must be met in order to qualify to set for the CASC exam.  Information on study resources are listed on the CASC website referenced in this information about CASC.
 
DJ:  Is there anything else that you would like to share with CASC candidates?

NB:  The CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential is a distinction earned by those in the ASC industry with a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge and skills that the role of an ASC administrator requires.  Since its inception its recognition in the ASC Industry is unparalleled as the single highest accomplishment an individual in the field of ambulatory surgery.  CASC recipients not only receive greater industry recognition among their peers but research has shown that they earn approximately 15-20% more based on their demonstration of their comprehensive knowledge and skills as demonstrated by having achieved this recognition.  

For more information about CASC or the BASC, click here.

Ambulatory Surgery Center · ASC · credentials · executive recruiting · interviewing

Event Announcement for ASC’s

If you are an Ambulatory Surgery professional certainly you must already know about the AORN Ambulatory Conference scheduled in Denver the last week of October.  This is a time to learn first hand about critical issues facing ASC’s.  There will be networking opportunities and you will be able to meet with your colleagues from around the country.

Program Topics:

• Our Future Quality Assurance Performance Improvement
• Medicare Conditions of Coverage: Infection Control Compliance Workshop
• Medication Management in the Ambulatory Setting
• Cleaning Verification – The Key to Quality Assurance: “If it ain’t clean, it ain’t STERILE”
• Quality Measures
• How to Implement Recommended Practices in an Ambulatory Surgery Center
• The Heat is On: EBP in Preoperative Warming
• Malignant Hyperthermia: Be Prepared
• Standardized Documentation in Ambulatory Surgery
• Surgery Scheduling Strategies

AORN Ambulatory Conference 
October 28 – 30, 2010

Today over 1,000 professionals have completed the program for Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC).  CASC has become a “must have” certificate if ASC Administrator is part of your career path.  This credential has becoming widely recognized by many ASC employers around the globe.  If you are not a CASC this is a perfect time to take the certificate program.

Ambulatory Surgery Center
Administrator Certificate Program 
October 30 – 31, 2010

For more information or to register for the conference, click here to visit AORN.

accreditation · Ambulatory Surgery Center · ASC · Executive Recruiter · regulatory · reimbursement rates

I’ve reviewed thousands of resumes.  Two people can have the same background and skills.  One resume can appear plain, boring, or overwhelming while another resume is easy to read and keywords/accomplishments will jump out to the reader.  With just a few tweaks you can create a resume that will get noticed the first time.

1. Simplify your objective: Keep it concise and accurate to your profession
2. Use accomplishments instead of responsibilities.  People who read resumes want to know what you’ve done and you only have a few seconds to capture their attention.  Use bullet points for accomplishments and quantify them whenever possible.  For example:
   • Increased patient volume over the previous 12 months by 15% resulting in $450,000 additional profit
   • Improved patient satisfaction from 82% to 95% in one year
3. Communication skills start here: Hiring managers want to hire people with excellent communication skills. Check grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Spell checkers don’t catch everything so be sure to have someone else proofread your resume.  Previous jobs should be written in past tense and current jobs are in the present.
4. Condense your resume:  A two page resume is preferred by many hiring managers.  Condense your resume if needed.  A CV (curriculum vitae) can be lengthier and more appropriate for some professions.  Microsoft Word margins are set wide by default.  You can decrease your margin as narrow as .60 on all sides and still have a nice looking document.  You can also decrease your font size.  A font of Ariel 11 or even as low as Ariel 10 is generally a safe bet.
5. Use action keywords:    Electronic resume scanners are programmed to look for key terms in your resume.  Without them, your resume could be discarded.  Action words like championed, developed, facilitated, implemented, launched, and spearheaded will help your resume stand out.  I also recommend you read the job posting closely.  The verbs they are looking for will usually be included in the job posting.

Bonus tip #1:  Be sure to list dates of employment and city and state for all your past employers

Bonus tip #2:  For executive level positions employers want to hire people with a stable career history.  If at a quick glance your resume appears to show that you’ve changed companies frequently this will lessen your chance of being seriously considered for a permanent position with top companies. 

Be truthful and accurate when modifying your resume.  Making just a few changes can drastically improve your resume and overall presentation to employers.

Cheers!

application · executive recruiting · interviewing · job boards · Recruiting · resume

Recruiting new Surgeons and growing service lines will no doubt improve profits of any surgery center.  

Do you find it a challenge to recruit Physicians?  Do you contact all Surgeons in your market?  How frequently should you visit or contact each Surgeon?

If you are finding it a challenge to recruit surgeons, here is a brief article with good answers.

Article: 7 things to Know for Recruiting More ASC Physicians written by Debra Saxton Stinchcomb, RN, Consultant.

Ambulatory Surgery Center · ASC · ASC physician recruitment · Recruiting · surgeon recruitment

It’s a CMS Condition for Coverage for ASC’s to have written disaster preparedness plans.  Besides, it makes good sense to be ready before the storm hits anyway.

Where are the flood zones?  Who must evacuate?  Where at evacuation centers located?  Will you or your facility have a role to play during a hurricane or its aftermath?  These are just a few questions to ask before the threat of a hurricane according to the July 2010 article “Weathering the Storm” by Nancy Burden.  This article describes how to maintain safety and minimize the damage when Mother Nature strikes.  Also included in the article is the Natural Disaster Checklist for Hurricane Preparedness.

Is your ASC prepared?  Are you ready?

Article: Weathering the Storm

accreditation · Ambulatory Surgery Center · ASC · CMS · disaster checklist · evacuation · hurricane preparedness · regulatory

Does this sound familiar? You fill out an application online or submit your resume to a position that seems perfect for you.  The company needs to hire someone and you feel you are right for the job.  So, why don’t you hear from them?

This is a question that people are asking every day.  In most cases, the answer can be found in The Job Application Black Hole.

To land the job you want, many executives have turned to executive search firms to assist them with the process.  This can be helpful depending on the relationship the executive recruiter or account manager has with the hiring company.  Other job seekers apply to countless positions and continue to look for a response from a company representative.

Let us shed some light on The Job Application Black Hole to help make your next application experience more effective.  It’s time to explore why nobody answers your resume.  A few areas discussed in an article by Jessica Dickler include: 

• Resume Overload
• The Screening Process
• The Phantom Job Opening

Article: The Job Application Black Hole

Ambulatory Surgery Center · application · ASC · executive recruiting · interviewing · job boards · resume

In the proposed rule published July 2^nd by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ambulatory surgery centers would see a 0% increase in Medicare payments next year.

For anyone that works in the ASC business, the slightest change to the proposal can affect your bottom line even if you are well prepared.

Here is an easy to read article to learn about the 2011 proposal and more: 

• Changes in ASC Rates for 2011
• Five New Procedures Proposed for 2011
• No Quality Reporting for 2011

 Medicare’s 2011 ASC Payments: Rates and Policies

 On July 2^nd CMS released its proposal for 2011 ASC Medicare Payments.  The final proposal is expected to be released in November 2010.

Stay tuned!

Ambulatory Surgery Center · ASC · executive recruiting · Medicare rates · reimbursement rates

I’ll be the first to admit that blogging was the furthest thing from my mind until this year.  Our readers are busy executives in the ambulatory surgery center or similar healthcare related industries and they already have a full plate. Why would they read our blog?  What would be different from other blogs out there?  What can I offer a reader that is concise, yet newsworthy?  Then it struck me!

I speak to people in the Outpatient Surgery Center industry every day.  I know this industry well.  I am passionate about the supportive role that I play and we have ongoing success in surfacing the best talent for the best companies.  I prefer to provide simple and factual information that will be appreciated by our readers. 

Facts:

• Our readers are busy. I’m busy too. The blogs will be concise, yet newsworthy.
• Our readers like news that is critical to their industry. I keep up on their industry.
• Our readers want to hire the best candidates or land the best jobs.  Free advice available.
• Our readers like to know about new career opportunities. This will be provided.
• Our readers would like to see laughable learning moments.  I will share unbelievable employer/candidate stories.

The content of our blog will provide value to our readers without cluttering their inbox.  I plan to post weekly unless there is critical industry news that is time sensitive.  Feel free to leave any value added comment to our blog or email me directly at dan.jensen@libertysearch.com.

Executive Profile: Dan Jensen

Why would you read our blog?  If you are a busy executive working in the ambulatory surgery center or a similar healthcare related industry and you would like concise newsworthy content, this blog is for you.

Cheers!

Ambulatory Surgery Center · ASC · Executive Recruiter · Executive Search · Recruiting