Ever wondered what really happens in the halls of healthcare? While there's no "typical" day in medicine, let's peek behind the scenes to see how these dedicated professionals navigate their dynamic work days.
Early Morning: Starting the Day
For many healthcare professionals, the day begins before dawn. As Kwadwo, a Resident Physician in Neurosurgery at Vanderbilt, shares, "You go in very early in the morning. I would say probably around 5:00 AM you round on all your patients."
For a Physician Assistant like Pooja at Coastal Orthopedics, the morning involves preparing for a full day of patient care. She describes her role as "seeing a patient, diagnosing their problem, treating them, looking at imaging, and creating a next step plan for them."
Mid-Morning: Patient Care and Procedures
Clinical responsibilities vary widely across healthcare roles. Cindy, a Senior Clinical Trial Coordinator, explains that her mornings involve taking care of patients on trial medications while managing crucial documentation: "It's a very rigorous bookkeeping system... We just want to make sure that we document everything so we can really analyze whether or not [patient] side effects are due to the experimental medication, some interaction with their normal medication, or just the diseases themselves."
Afternoon: Collaboration and Continued Care
Healthcare is inherently collaborative. Allie, a Product Manager at a top healthcare company, elaborates: "I work with a lot of surgeons that have medical backgrounds... people that are focused on clinical evidence that have super-scientific backgrounds... [and] other people in marketing and sales that are really personable."
For neurosurgery residents like Kwadwo, the afternoon often means more time in the operating room: "Essentially a day in my life is basically spent in the OR, but [I'm] also seeing a lot of patients and then talking... between teams."
What Makes Healthcare Unique?
The opportunity to impact lives draws many to healthcare. As Pooja reflects, "I love that things are hands-on... I grew up doing a lot of arts and crafts and creative things, and so being able to just naturally translate that into my work, it's such a nice progression where I feel like I'm using all my skills."
For Cindy, the rewards are clear: "In the last three years, we've had almost 8-10 clinical trials approved by the FDA, which means that all of our patients' contributions were really meaningful. To result in something that will help thousands of people in America and internationally, I think that is the most gratifying part of my job."
Managing Challenges
Healthcare professionals face unique challenges daily. As Myron, a Manager of Operations Excellence at Sharp HealthCare notes, "One of the big challenges of my role is... I'm not an expert in a lot of the fields I'm working in. How do I come in and show credibility when I'm surrounded by thirty doctors?" Myron emphasizes that his role requires continuous learning so that he can become informed on diverse subjects as they arise.
Key Takeaway
If there's one constant in healthcare, it's the commitment to patient well-being. Whether you're considering a career in healthcare or simply curious about these roles, remember that success in this field requires more than technical skills. As Cameron, a Senior Commissioning Engineer, puts it: "Being a clear communicator, both verbally and written, is going to be extremely critical."
The healthcare field offers diverse opportunities to make a difference, whether through direct patient care, research, or support services. Each role contributes to the larger mission of improving patient outcomes and advancing medical care.
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Wishing you success,
Emily McSherry
Founder & CEO