Working in healthcare is a demanding but rewarding job and career. While you may enjoy what you do now, it’s wise to always be thinking one step ahead and about what’s next. You never want to get too comfortable in one place or you risk falling behind and being overlooked for opportunities for advancement.

There are some ways you can advance your healthcare career and get ahead so you can earn more and feel secure in your role. Let these ideas inspire you to want to work hard and stay committed to doing what you can to ensure you’re utilizing your talents and your abilities to the full potential.

Know Your Strengths & Weaknesses

A wise place to start when wanting to advance your healthcare career is to know your strengths and weaknesses. Evaluate your current skills and understand what you’re good at and what you can be doing better in the future. Conduct a self-assessment and know where you stand now and where you see yourself five and ten years from now. Set goals and outline how you’ll achieve each one so you have a clear vision and path to finding long-term success.

Expand Your Education & Expertise

Continue your education and expand your skill set if you wish to advance your healthcare career. There are many ways you can go and new areas you can experiment with when working in healthcare. For instance, if you’re a plastic surgeon or dermatologist then you may want to consider looking into the IAPAM training program and learning how to administer Botox. Skincare and rejuvenating appearances and looks are a growing and significant area for many patients and you should be prepared to offer this service.

Network & Build Relationships

Another tip to help you advance your healthcare career is to always be networking and expanding your list of connections. Build and nurture relationships with the right people so that you can discover more growth opportunities. You never know who you’ll meet that will be able to get your foot in the door at an employer or help you figure out your next career move. There are both opportunities to network offline as well as online so make sure you have business cards ready to hand out and that your professional profiles online are updated.

Take On Challenges at Work

You must be willing to work hard and take on new challenges at your job if you want to advance your healthcare career. Be willing to raise your hand when your boss asks for help or volunteers to take on extra assignments or patients. The more you challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone the more likely it is that you’ll be recognized for a promotion or new position. Remember that you first have to prove yourself in the workplace before others are going to see you as someone who deserves more responsibility and higher pay. Make sure you track your results and performance so you can prove to your boss specifically what you’ve been doing to advance your department and progress in your current role.