This is an article aimed at pointing out and elevating industry issues at large. Previously, I did a could of podcasts on the healthcare industry issues which are also prevalent in other work as well. But the distinction that really sticks out to me is misappropriation. There's a tremendous lack of reverence for experience and skill.
I'm today's workforce shortage crisis, you would think skill would be valued more than ever, but sadly it isn't. I've been involved in healthcare imaging and information technology at a very high level for about 2 decades and have deep dive learning and projects under my belt. Even before the last few legs of my professional journey, back in 2019, I was already, before the pandemic, experienced and skilled enough to run a small imaging department by myself from front desk to imaging to backend. And I had experience doing that at an orthopedic office for a few years. I then went on to expand my leadership skills and branch further into IT and medical technology, going back to school several times and achieving certifications and degree. When I began reaching out for leadership positions, my goals changed and initially I was approached with embrace. But then a pivot happened. As the pandemic took lives and positions, the industry was gutted and there became a mad dash to get warm bodies to work at the ground level.
I understand the urgency to a degree, especially coming from management experience, having dealt with budgets, purchases and finances at the mid management level. But in all of this, structure shouldn't be lost. There should still be sensitivity to value. If I have an applicant in front of me and I observed a tremendously diverse skill set along with the ability to lead at the highest level, I would be determined not to waste those skills, not just for gratification purposes of the applicant, but productivity purposes. Why would I sit on all of that additional value. It's like buying a Porsche simply for going to the grocery store and nothing else. That's waste. And unfortunately it is done a great deal in healthcare since the pandemic. In fact leaders are more intimidated when they see skill and determined to "put you in your place" as a grunt rather than use what you offer. It's very bizarre, especially for that to be the initial knee jerk reaction.
I've always had more of an affinity for project based work, be in some kind of project management or contracts in the technology field. This is because this work relies on the available skillsets and abilities of those involved. There isn't an avoidance of that, with forced role insertion at a bottom level. It's a more flat architecture. In healthcare, I have observed large amounts of skill and experience, pressed down into grunt roles, with lost value. I cannot say how irritating it is to have someone continue to tell me how they read and appreciate my resume and skillset, but see my best position as being an unskilled grunt who they train and keep at a base level. It's very stupid, and insulting not only to me, but the person saying it to me. I'm not saying that positions always need to be created for skills on the fly. What I'm saying is that although there is a need for base level workers, at this point there is an equal need for leaders and multi-talented individuals in many fields, and as a hiring manager, my mind would be on fast tracking talent on that path.
This is why I have been adamant about creating new paths and opportunities with J-Team University and IT services. I also feel differently about AI than I did years ago. Not only because I have been learning the tech behind it, and using it, but I see where it fills the gap. How many times do you walk into a hardware store or department store, looking for assistance, with workers either scarce or hesitant to help at all. Many times, you'll get the answer to your question from AI engines before a single soul will assist you. How much money could industry save by using bots rather than selfish and lazy people. I think it does have a place and a need, used correctly, and this is what I intend to explore.
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