So you’re ready to get a Functional Medicine practitioner job. First of all, congratulations! Integrative and Functional Medicine careers are not only highly rewarding, but demand within the Functional Medicine realm is continually increasing. Fueling this demand is the fact that more and more patients want to be treated by doctors who provide patient-focused holistic care.
Practicing in this field is no small undertaking, however, due to the fact that you are embarking on a journey that will create a major shift in how we view healthcare. It’s for this reason that we at Integrated Connections—the leading-edge healthcare staffing firm that specializes exclusively in Integrative and Functional Medicine career placements—strive to make your job search as smooth and seamless as possible.
We’ve compiled these four simple tips for landing the Functional Medicine practitioner job that you’ve been dreaming about.
1. Initiative
“Employers and business leaders need people who can think for themselves—who can take initiative and be the solution to problems.” – Steven Covey.
We couldn’t agree more, which is why the quality of initiative will always be at the top of our list when it comes to Integrative and Functional Medicine job seekers. How do you convey this initiative?
Education – Acquiring an appropriate Functional Medicine education puts you ahead of the pack, leading the movement to transform healthcare. Taking that first step toward education in Integrative and Functional Medicine is one of the smartest moves you can make. It will make you a better clinician, give you a purpose-filled life, and provide more options in your career and life. Hands down, it is one of the smartest investments you can make.
Attending Conferences – In addition to schooling, showing initiative also involves attending Integrative and Functional Medicine conferences. A conference in this field can be a very valuable experience. Not only will you walk away with incredible insights that will transform your patients’ health, and your own, but attending large gatherings with like-minded individuals will help in creating beneficial relationships. Networking is key when it comes to success within any field, and this rings true for Integrative and Functional Medicine as well.
As a top recruiter within this field, I’ve heard many stories of practitioners who have found jobs just by striking up a conversation with another attendee at a meeting. In addition, Integrated and Functional Connections has a career table at Institute for Functional Medicine conferences and events with the latest jobs announcement and information on jobs we are recruiting for in the field.
Bring the Benefits of Functional Medicine to a Conventional Setting – I’ve spoken with many practitioners who were eager to practice Functional Medicine, but were frustrated that there weren’t opportunities in their geographical area yet. And as I’ve said before, there doesn’t need to be any frustration. Just start where you are. By bringing the benefits of Functional Medicine to your conventional practice, you’re demonstrating excellent initiative and it will make you stand out amongst candidates. It will not only count as experience, but also shows passion, dedication to Integrative and Functional Medicine, and ambition. Start where you are and do what you can.
2. Stay Current
By staying current on the latest research and developments in the field of Integrative and Functional Medicine, you keep yourself relevant to the conversation and are a more attractive candidate for a Functional Medicine practitioner job. This isn’t usually too hard a task, as people within this field love what they are learning and understand that it’s a continuous learning process. Many people I’ve interviewed shared podcasts they listen to regularly, books they’re currently reading, and so forth.
3. Shine Up Your Resume
After working in Human Resources for over twenty years, I’ve seen firsthand what a glowing resume can do when it comes to landing your ideal functional medicine practitioner job. I’ve also seen what resume mistakes to avoid including typos, incorrect information, formatting issues, generic vs. too much personal information, etc.
Your resume is your best marketing tool when seeking a new opportunity. Make sure it is easy to read, targeted to the opportunity, accurate and comprehensive in showcasing all your credentials, experience and education. This one snapshot of your career can open the door to your dream job.
4. Be Prepared for the Interview
It only takes a few minutes to make an impression, and as the saying goes, “First impressions are lasting impressions.” Within the short amount of time that you’re having your first interview, your potential employer is already evaluating and forming a lasting opinion about you. Check out the video below for my tips on how to create a favorable impression and be your best self at your next job interview.
Patient demand for Integrative and Functional Medicine continues to grow, and we need educated providers to respond to this demand. Your ideal Functional Medicine practitioner job is out there and we can help you find it and secure it. We offer customized courses on our Integrated Connections Academy for Integrative and Functional Medicine Practitioners to assist in developing your CV and cover letter and preparing for your interview.
We offer an eBlast email notification of the latest job opportunities and career tips in the field of Integrative and Functional Medicine.