How Can I Combine My Health Profession with Coding?

You might want to target agencies that focus on the healthcare sector. They often look for people who understand both tech and health.

It’s true, most tools used in healthcare differ from what you might have learned as a self-taught web developer. There’s not much excitement in healthcare software, and what looks good on a resume to big companies are roles like offshore Java developers.

A while back, a company I worked for used a training site for regulatory compliance made by a retired official. With your tech and healthcare knowledge, you could create similar online certifications in a niche area that's missing.

Consider a project manager role and learn Java as you go. You could transition toward a more technical position over time. It's a strategic way to leverage your health knowledge while gaining coding skills.

Why not start your own project or a side hustle? You've got a valuable skill set with your health background. Think of all the problems you could address with tech!

As an anesthesiologist who's mostly self-taught, I found consulting or aiming for a CMO role an option if you're thinking of switching careers.

Consider becoming the in-house tech guru at a smaller medical practice. Many need custom websites and tools, and you could save them money while honing your skills. Often the needs are there; it's about presenting yourself as the solution.

In my country, a dentist friend of mine combined his expertise and tech interests by getting a Master's degree in Healthcare Technology. He then had a custom application built for managing his practice. This might be a path worth considering!

Look to start as a QA analyst. This would give you a foothold in the healthcare sector, and you can aim to transition into a coding role after gaining some experience. Your clinical background will definitely be valuable.

If you're a provider with some technical skills, consider getting into EHR consulting. Health organizations, especially those working with systems like Epic, often look for analysts who understand clinical settings. For example, I worked on a project that developed a portal app for an EHR, needing both React experience and clinical insight to ensure it's user-friendly for providers and patients.