Transitioning to Nonclinical Roles as a Physical Therapist

When I was providing direct patient care as a physical therapist, I didn't know all of the avenues available for clinicians in non-clinical spaces. At the time, the known paths to me were: ✔ Clinical specialist  ✔ Academia ✔ Management (supervisor > manager > director) in a rehabilitation department ✖ Knowing I wanted to be a generalist, I didn't pursue the clinical specialist route. 📖 I didn’t like the idea of lesson planning in academia. ⁉ I thought I would take the path of an operational leader in the therapy department. However, after applying for a supervisor role that I didn't get, I did some self evaluation and long story short I fell in love with #healthcarequality. ❔ Did you know there are lots of healthcare quality roles available for different skill sets? Here are just a few. ✔Clinical Data Analyst  ✔Utilization Reviewer ✔Clinical Quality Outcomes Coordinator  ✔Quality management (i.e. Operations within the Quality department) ✔Patient experience champion  ✔Regulatory Compliance (CMS, The Joint Commission, the State, OSHA) ✔Patient safety officer ✔Quality/Performance Improvement Specialist  ✔Population Health Coordinator Why do I share this? I wish I had a coach, mentor (found one later) or someone to walk with me when I was making the non-clinical transition. So, I'm passing along what I learned so your journey can be shorter and smoother than mine. Want to hear the journeys of people who have been in these types of roles? Check out Kairos Conversations: Connecting with Quality - Podcast, which you can find on any major podcast platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music). #careerchange

Tips for clinicians looking to get into non-clinical roles. Recently, I interviewed a LOT of clinicians who wanted to start at Upheal in a sales role. As a mental health technology company, having clinicians talk to other clinicians really helps translate the message. If you're looking to break into a non-clinical role, the # 1 thing you can do is learn to interview the way someone who has already done that role would. For example in a sales role, there's some big red flags: - Not fully understanding what the company does - Never having tried open up the product or reading any help documentation - Not knowing who any competitors would be - Not having a decent understanding of who an ideal customer would be Here's just a few of the things the therapist that got the role did: - Created a free trial during the interview process to test out the product - Could adequately speak to how their clinical experience would translate to a sales role - Knew our CRM and had experience with it - Reached out to other clinicians on the team to learn more about the company and breaking into healthtech One mistake I've seen clinicians make is telling companies they're open to just any position to get into healthtech. If you're interviewing for a specific role, show the thought you've put into why you want THAT role. A hiring manager wants to feel confident you'll be satisfied in that role if you get hired. If you're still not sure what role is right for you, join some broader healthtech communities like Health Tech Nerds or Therapists in Tech and DM some folks in a variety of roles on LinkedIn. #hiring #therapistsintech #digitalhealth

I didn’t go to grad school to feel guilty for needing to use the bathroom. But there I was 3 evals in, a stack of documentation waiting, and my Stanley cup sitting untouched in the corner since 8 a.m. That was the moment I knew I wanted to move on. But I had no idea what direction to go in. Everyone says, “Your skills are transferable.” Sure. But to what? Customer success? UX research? Project management? Utilization review? The truth is, our skills are transferable BUT not to everything, and not all at once. Many clinicians try to pivot by casting a wide net. “I can do case management.” “I can be a care coordinator, an analyst, a customer success manager.” They apply to 25 different types of roles with one version of their resume and wonder why nothing sticks. The problem isn’t that you’re unqualified. It’s that you’re being too general. Here’s what actually works: • Narrow down to 2 or 3 specific roles that interest you • Learn what those roles actually require • Identify your transferable skills based on those requirements • Tailor your application materials and LinkedIn presence accordingly If you’re not sure how to narrow things down, start with a solid non-clinical healthcare career assessment. I linked my favorite one in the comments. You can use code LAUREN10 for a discount. You are not stuck. You just need to get specific. Curious what transferable skills you should be highlighting for the roles you’re exploring? Drop the roles you’re targeting below and I’ll reply with 1 or 2 to focus on. #PhysicalTherapist #CareerTransition #NonClinicalCareers #Healthcare #TransferableSkills #HealthTech #BurnoutRecovery