My Career Map in the Medical Field - Article Example

? Career Map Career Map Introduction My is Michael Worrell and I am 41 years of age. Today is July 25, and I am taking the time to reflect on a career map that will hopefully lead me through to retirement. Having always been interested in the medical field, it is no wonder that the majority of this paper will deal with my goals, dreams, and aspirations in that area. Currently, I am a supervisor in the Diagnostic Imaging department at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. I have been in this position since 2011. In addition to this position, I am finishing up my coursework at the University of Texas, where I will attain a Bachelors of Science degree in August of this year. Immediately thereafter I will begin the on-line MBA program at the University of Houston, and that should take me 18-months to complete. To round my introduction out, it is helpful to note that I will be leaving my current position in the United States to become the Lead X-Ray Technologist at NGH Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. My duties there are expected to commence September 2013. As I have held various jobs in the medical field, I have developed a strong desire to hone my skill in the area of imaging. As such, upon retirement I hope to find myself as the Director of an Imaging Department at a major hospital, preferably in the Middle East. It is important to note that an MBA is required for most supervisory positions in the Middle East, so I am certainly working towards that goal. Conducting a SWOT analysis at this stage in my life, I find that my strengths revolve around being a life-long learner. Even though I am in my 40’s, I realize the value of an education and am will to work hard to achieve my goals. That is also a weakness, however, as I am not able to devote my full attention to advancing my career, but that day will soon come. The opportunities are ripe in my chosen field, particularly in the Middle East, where population growth is high and the need for advanced imaging specialist are great. Finally, the threats involved in my career map to this point involve the prospect of moving to Middle East after so long in America. That is a challenge that I am looking forward to encountering in a few short months. What follows is a synopsis of my plans for certain milestones over the next 15 years. Goals Year One As mentioned in the introduction, Year 1 of my career map will see me as the lead technician at NGH Hospital in Riyadah, Saudi Arabia. Some of my duties as lead technician will involve setting up and operating equipment that is designed to perform diagnostic examinations and procedures, and assisting in the supervising and coordinating of diagnostic services. In addition, I will be participating in the implementation of the departmental strategic plan and the Quality Management program for diagnostic services. SWOT Analysis Strengths Patient flow management Quality Assurance Resource Allocation Weaknesses Starting out with little to no experience in the Middle East Region Continuing education at the same time as beginning to work in a new hospital, in a new country Opportunities Opportunity to get foot in the door at a major hospital in the Middle East Contuining experience as an X-Ray technician in a large hospital, providing many different opportunities for professional growth and training Threats Time management – Juggling academic and professional responsibilities, in addition to learning a new style of hospital management Short tenure – possibly not being afforded growth opportunities given my desire to move on after obtaining MBA Year Two During year two, I plan on transitioning away from my role at NGH hospital and Saudi Arabia and moving to Abu Dhabi to work at the Cleveland Clinic in the United Arab Emirates. This clinic is scheduled to be finished in 2014 and I plan on working there as the senior X-Ray technician. At this time, I will also be finalizing my MBA. SWOT Analysis Strengths Experience as a technician in multiple hospitals on two different continents Academic and professional credentials to begin rapid advancement in my career Experience performing trauma diagnostics and many other types of radiologic procedures Weaknesses Starting out in a support staff role Beginning work in a brand new country, yet again, at a clinic that is just beginning its operations. Necessity to learn new skills and methodologies that are different than the government hospital in Saudi Arabia Opportunities Ability to work in a brand new clinic from the outset. Advancement opportunities should be readily available if my performance is above par Opportunity to learn under some of the best managers in the field who will likely be joining the staff as well Threats A new clinic means the possibility of less patients/revenue Lack of job security from the outset Lack of familiarity with new systems and managers Year Three During year 3, I will continue working at the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi, hopefully advancing into a supervisory position as it becomes available. SWOT Analysis Strengths One year under my belt – more familiarity with the operations of the clinic With my experience and an MBA, I am now able to begin to apply for promotions and further advancement at the clinic Weaknesses Small size of the clinic may limit future growth opportunities I will possibly need to work in different departments to compensate for a small staff, thereby decreasing my experience in the Lead Tech position Opportunities Assuming that the clinic is growing, there will be opportunities to move into supervisory positions Seniority will give me a comparative advantage over new employees when applying for new positions within the company Threats Abu Dhabi is a fast growing metropolitan area experience tremendous growth in the medical sector. There will likely be extreme competition amongst private clinics, making the labour market quite competitive and advancement harder to come by. Year Four Realizing that consistency and longevity is important in any profession, particularly in the medical field, I plan to remain at the Cleveland Clinic during my fourth year in the Middle East. It is my desire that I will be firmly planted in a supervisory position at this time. SWOT Analysis Strengths Three years at the same clinic in the same location will gain me valuable experience in the imaging division Imaging diagnostics is a rapidly advancing and technological field, so remaining in the same department will enable me to develop my professional skills, leading to a better opportunity for advancement Weaknesses Loss of motivation if supervisory positions are not available at this point. Possibly looking elsewhere for a new position, thereby limiting future professional development options. Opportunities In the third year of the clinic’s operations, there should continue to be growth in the imaging department. With my experience, I should be well positioned to expand my duties and be ready for any new opportunity that becomes available. Threats New professionals entering the field will begin to have a technological edge over me. This is due to the fact that I would have been out of the academic environment for nearly four years at this point, missing valuable advances in imaging that would have been covered in elite medical institutions. Year Five The fifth year of my career plan is critical. By this time, if I am a supervisor in a division at the Cleveland Clinic, I plan to remain there for some time more in order to gain valuable experience. If, however, an opportunity has not presented itself for me to be promoted, I will begin look for other available openings in the region that are available for supervisory and managerial leadership. With my experience at hospitals in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and UAE at this time, I feel I would be well situated for such an opening. SWOT Analysis Strengths Supervisory roles will put me in contact with new people in the department, many of whom I can learn from and develop into a future managerial role. Weaknesses If moving to another clinic or hospital, I will need to learn a new way of performing my duties and I will have to gain the respect of my staff. This can take some time, limiting immediate opportunities for further advancement. Opportunities Ability to lead a team of people Possibility of moving to a new clinic or hospital – even in another country Threats Options will be limited at this point if I do not obtain a supervisory position as it will become more difficult to achieve my goal of being a manager and then director There is much competition at the supervisory level, so I will need to make connections and make sure I am up to date on all training and certifications required by technicians and imaging personnel. Year Ten By year ten, my goal is to be a manager at a major hospital, preferably in the Middle East region. SWOT Analysis Strengths Supervisory experience Understanding of PACS, DCOM, Imaging gateways, RadNet, Care4, and Oracle computer systems and applications – all of which enable me to lead a team of technicians Weaknesses Lack of experience at the managerial level Age will become a factor Opportunities Higher Salary Ability to expand my horizons and move to different and bigger hospitals or clinics Threats Increased responsibility Higher scrutiny and stress Less opportunities available for further advancement Year 15 Beginning with year 15 of my career map, my eyes will be set on the last few years I have remaining until retirement. At this point, I would hope to be, at minimum, the Director of Imaging at a major international hospital. SWOT Analysis Strengths Depth of experience as a lead X-Ray technician, supervisor, and manager Cross-cultural experience in a variety of hospitals and clinics Ability to work with a wide array of people and personalities, in addition to the ability to manage and lead a team of medical professionals Weaknesses Little time to devote to academic pursuits, possibly weakening my knowledge of technological innovation in the field of imaging Opportunities Top of the salary scale for imaging professionals Ability to retire at the top of my profession Opportunity to conduct research and contribute to the body of academic knowledge in the field Threats Fierce competition for director positions Possibly having to move to yet another new location in the last few years of my career Conclusion Taking the time to map out a potential career plan is a valuable endeavor indeed. Life today is quite fast-paced and rapidly changing in front of our eyes. If we do not take the time now to develop a road map for the future, we can quickly find ourselves approaching retirement age feeling unfilled. It is my desire to put my skills and talents to use in such a way that benefits me professionally and personally. As noted, I have come a long way since my early days. In 1995, I was working for Ion Geophysical in Houston, Texas. Even though this position was unrelated to the imaging field, it prepared me for my future as a supervisor and manager. Managers must be leaders. Part of my training to this point, and my positions of the future in Middle East, has planted in me the passion to lead other to do something great. There are few industries as vital to the continued prosperity and health of the world than the medical field. My role, while it may be small, will contribute to the overall picture of health throughout the region of the Middle East and beyond. Having performed a SWOT analysis for each stage of the next 15 years, I feel I have situated myself well for the future. I may not achieve every goal as set out in the plan, and some may be realized later than planned, but I intend of remaining focused and driven to retire as the director of imaging at a major international hospital. If I do not realize this goal, however, my life will not have been for naught. The many experiences I have had, and continue to have along the way, will enrich my life immensely and I will be forever grateful. Read More

 

Read More