Healthcare employers look for candidates who bring both solid technical skills and a compassionate approach to patient care. Picking the right skills for your healthcare resume can help you show you’re a good match for the job. It highlights your readiness for a fast-paced, patient-centered environment and helps you stand out from other applicants.
In this article, we'll explore which healthcare-resume skills to include, offer tips on highlighting them, and provide examples to ensure your resume gets noticed.
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What are healthcare skills?
Healthcare skills refer to the abilities and knowledge required to succeed in various roles within the healthcare industry. These can be a mix of hard skills, such as technical expertise in medical procedures or familiarity with healthcare software, and soft skills, like communication and empathy. Together, these skills help healthcare professionals provide high-quality patient care, keep safety standards, and collaborate with colleagues.
Unlike with other industries, healthcare skills are often more specialized and involve both technical proficiency and emotional intelligence. Healthcare professionals need to be detail-oriented while also capable of handling high-pressure situations with care and empathy.
Additionally, healthcare roles require an understanding of medical terminology, patient care protocols, and adherence to strict regulations, which sets these skills apart from general office or corporate roles. The ability to balance technical knowledge with human connection is what makes good skills for a healthcare resume so vital.
18 healthcare skills for resume
When applying for a job, picking the right skills to put on a resume for a healthcare job can help you make the best impression.
“Any candidate applying for a healthcare position must possess critical thinking skills, be detail-oriented, maintain realistic time schedules, listen as much as—or less than—they speak, pivot quickly depending on the situation at hand, and keep an open mind to always learn something new,” says Dr. Abid Nazeer, a psychiatrist and Chief Resident at Symetria Recovery.
There are three main categories of healthcare skills that employers look for: hard skills, soft skills, and transferable skills.
Hard skills
Hard skills for healthcare professionals are the specific, technical abilities that are necessary for performing medical procedures, operating healthcare equipment, and using healthcare-related software or systems. These skills are often job-specific and can be measured or certified through training and education. Here are some key hard skills for a healthcare resume.
- Patient care: This involves understanding patient needs, administering medications, and following treatment plans to ensure effective and compassionate care.
- Medical terminology: This skill includes the ability to accurately understand and use medical terms when communicating with colleagues and documenting patient information.
- CPR and first aid certification: This certification provides essential life-saving skills that are required in most healthcare settings.
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) management: This involves proficiency in using digital systems to securely and efficiently track and manage patient information.
- Phlebotomy: This skill focuses on drawing blood for testing, transfusions, or donations, ensuring accuracy and patient comfort.
- Diagnostic testing: This includes conducting and interpreting diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, and blood tests, to assist in patient care.
- Wound care: This skill involves treating and managing open wounds to prevent infection and promote effective healing.
Soft skills
Soft skills are interpersonal attributes that influence how well you interact with others in the workplace. In healthcare, these skills are vital because they affect how you communicate with patients and work within a team.
- Empathy: This skill involves the ability to understand and share patients’ feelings, helping them feel cared for and supported throughout their treatment.
- Communication: Clear and effective communication is crucial for relaying information between patients, colleagues, and healthcare providers accurately.
- Attention to detail: This skill is essential in healthcare, as it requires precision in administering treatments and recording patient information correctly.
- Problem-solving: This involves the capacity to think critically and address any issues that may arise during patient care or treatment.
- Teamwork: Working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals is necessary to provide comprehensive and effective patient care.
- Time management: This skill ensures that multiple patients or tasks are handled efficiently, without compromising the quality of care.
Transferable skills
Transferable skills are abilities you've gained from previous roles or experiences that can be applied in a healthcare setting. These can come from any industry and are valuable for professionals transitioning into healthcare roles.
- Leadership: This skill involves managing a team or taking initiative in challenging situations to guide others effectively.
- Adaptability: This refers to the ability to adjust quickly to new protocols, environments, or situations in the healthcare setting.
- Conflict resolution: This skill is essential for handling disagreements or issues between colleagues or patients in a professional manner.
- Customer service: Many healthcare roles require direct patient interaction, where customer service skills help create positive experiences for patients.
- Organizational skills: This includes keeping patient records and schedules organized while efficiently managing various tasks.
How to list and highlight healthcare skills on your resume
A well-structured resume should make your most relevant skills easy to spot and demonstrate how those skills translate into real-world success and why you’re the perfect candidate for a position.
Craft a standout dedicated skills section
A dedicated skills section allows you to present your top skills clearly and concisely. Highlight your strengths in a way that makes it easier for employers to assess your qualifications at a glance. List the most relevant skills first, based on the job you’re applying for, and include numbers or data when possible to showcase how effectively you’ve used them.
Example: Reduced patient wait times by 20% through efficient patient care procedures.
Integrate skills into other sections
While a skills section is important, don’t limit yourself. Your key abilities should also be highlighted throughout your resume, showing how you've applied those skills in real-life situations.
Your professional summary, for instance, is an excellent place to showcase a few of your most important skills right off the bat. Here, you can weave these skills into a concise overview of your experience and what you bring to the role.
Example: Experienced registered nurse with over five years of delivering compassionate patient care. Skilled in critical care, electronic health record management, and patient education. Proven ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and implement process improvements that enhance patient outcomes.
The work experience section offers a prime opportunity to show how you’ve used your skills in previous roles. Rather than simply listing tasks, show how your skills led to positive outcomes.
Example: Used critical care skills to manage a patient load of 15+ individuals daily, improving patient recovery times by 10%.
Be specific and relevant
When creating your healthcare skills list, specificity is key. You want to tailor your skills to match the job description, showing the employer you possess exactly what they’re looking for.
Don’t forget to use job-specific keywords. Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATSs), so including keywords from the job posting can help your resume get past the ATS filters.
It’s also important to avoid using too much technical language. “On healthcare resumes, a common error is using too much jargon or vague terms,” says certified psychotherapist Sisse Marie, from Neurogan Health. “Candidates should specify their responsibilities and results clearly and accurately, using supporting data where necessary. Moreover, mistakes or a lack of coherent organization can potentially compromise outstanding credentials.”
Bonus tip: Tailor your cover letter, too
In your cover letter, reference key skills in the context of why you’re a great fit for the job. Briefly discuss how these skills align with the role you’re applying for and offer examples from your past work experience. Keep it concise but impactful, linking your expertise directly to the job description.
Example: With my strong background in phlebotomy and patient care, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your clinic’s success. I have extensive experience drawing blood from patients of all ages, ensuring both accuracy and comfort. Additionally, my proficiency with EHR systems allows me to manage patient records effectively, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
Bottom line
Crafting a healthcare resume that effectively highlights your skills is crucial for standing out in a competitive field. By understanding the skills that truly matter and strategically showcasing them in your resume and cover letter, you can present yourself as the best candidate for the job.
But remember, employers are not only looking for technical expertise but also interpersonal abilities and a passion for patient care developed with real-world experience. “The attributes of an efficient and excellent healthcare provider cannot only be taught in a classroom,” Dr. Nazeer says. “It takes personal experience, authentic calling, and a connection to those we serve day in, and day out.”
Incorporating a blend of hands-on experience, skills tailored to the job, and a genuine passion for healthcare will not only enhance your resume but will also position you as a dynamic and dedicated professional.