How To Write a Health Care Support Resume
To write an eye-catching health care support resume, highlight your unique background in patient care delivery and clinical operations. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential components of a compelling resume that showcases the strongest aspects of your qualifications and experience. You’ll be well-equipped to create a resume that opens doors and reflects your unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
You only have a moment to make a memorable first impression on the person reviewing your resume — make sure it counts. To grab their attention, craft a strong, short, professional summary at the top of your resume, which paints you in a good light and communicates the key skill sets the organization is looking for.
For example, you could emphasize your phlebotomy expertise by citing a high accuracy rate or an advanced knowledge of infection prevention protocols. Even if the hiring manager isn’t familiar with the exact process of venipuncture, it still comes off as impressive.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A Psychiatric Aid with 15 years of experience providing compassionate care to patients suffering from mental illness, developmental disabilities, and cognitive disorders. A proven track record of coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams to develop ideal care plans.
Entry-Level Profile Example
An Occupational Therapy Assistant with three years of experience delivering compassionate care to patients living with disabilities. A proven track record of delivering rehabilitative services and physical therapy to improve quality of life for patients and achieve healthcare goals.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Submitting a generic resume will limit your chances of landing the interview. To succeed during the job search, provide valuable insights to illuminate your advanced knowledge and medical expertise within your specific field. Although you’ll need to mention your day-to-day responsibilities, make your accomplishments the focal point of your professional experience section.
Be sure to quantify your health care achievements using hard numbers, data, and metrics. For example, if you contributed to increased patient satisfaction or positive outcomes, include a percentage to back it up. You could also draw attention to the number of patients you treated or the size of the hospital to establish a sense of scope for the reader.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Psychiatric Aide, Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, Roswell, NM
March 2016 – Present
- Coordinate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide mental health services to a wide range of patients suffering from emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disorders
- Provide support to psychiatrists, psychologists, and nurses over the course of treatment, including patient education, medication administration, and vital sign monitoring
- Plan, manage, and lead group therapy sessions for patients in collaboration with licensed psychologists to treat depression, anxiety, and PTSD
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Occupational Therapy Assistant, North Shore Rehabilitation, Port Jefferson, NY
July 2018 – Present
- Provide occupational therapy, out-patient therapy, and in-home care to individuals recovering from injuries and surgeries
- Deliver follow-up care to clients, using rehabilitative exercises and ensure compliance with care plans from occupational therapists
- Consult with medical care team during regular meetings to assess progress for each client and determine changes to physical therapy treatment plans
3. Include relevant education and certifications
While your education may be important when applying as a health care support worker, a higher education isn’t always required. It’s fairly common for some support services to get on-the-job training or require certain certifications rather than a specific degree.
Depending on their role and responsibilities, a health care support worker may need certain certifications and licenses to demonstrate their competence and qualifications. If you aren’t currently certified, you may want to look into the process to make yourself a more compelling applicant.
Some of the common certifications and licenses that a health care support worker might have are the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). However, there may be other requirements depending on the state, employer, or specialty of the health care support worker. Therefore, it is advisable to research the specific criteria and regulations for the desired position before pursuing any certification or license.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Psychiatric Technician Diploma Program
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, San Mateo, CA | 2005
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Certified Psychiatric Technician, American Association of Psychiatric Technicians | June 2010
CPR Certification, American Heart Association | April 2005
4. List pertinent key skills
It’s common for employers to use applicant tracking systems (ATS) as the first step in the hiring process. These systems scan your resume for key skills and action verbs that closely match what the hiring manager seeks in an employee. So it’s a good idea to customize your resume to every job you apply for. The better you can match the job description, the more likely you can get your foot in the door and have a chance to prove yourself in an interview.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Activities of daily living (ADLs) | Acute care |
| Case management | Clinical operations |
| Communication | Compassionate care |
| Electronic medical records (EMR) | Geriatric care |
| Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) | In-home care |
| Medication administration | Nutrition |
| Oncology | Patient advocacy |
| Patient-centered care | Patient management |
| Pediatric care | Relationship building |
| Vital sign monitoring | Wound care |
5. Highlight patient care and communication skills
As a health care professional in a support role, many of your responsibilities involve interfacing with patients directly during treatment. Highlight specific examples of communicating with patients empathetically and compassionately to show hiring managers you can handle serious health care situations. In the example below, the candidate emphasizes their ability to resolve conflict and manage patients suffering from serious psychological disorders:
- Provided support to the medical team at a short-term residential facility for adults experiencing a mental health crisis related to depression, PTSD, anxiety, and trauma
- Administered medications, supported ADLs, resolved conflicts, and restrained patients to prevent physical injury during treatment and ensure safety
- Coordinated social, educational, and recreational activities for patients, including craft classes, workshops, and group therapy sessions
6. Showcase your health care specializations
Submitting a generic resume will limit your chances of landing the interview. To succeed during the job search, provide valuable insights to prospective employers that will illuminate your advanced knowledge of medical expertise within your specific field. Notice how in the example below, the candidate showcases their background providing physical therapy to athletes.
They mention their history treating injuries to ACLs and medial MCLs, which are extremely common among these types of patients. This helps prospective employers to gain a clearer understanding of the candidate’s medical expertise and could be particularly valuable if the practice specializes in treating these injuries.
- Delivered physical therapy and rehabilitative services to athletes under the direction of occupational therapists for soft tissue injuries, ACL tears, and MCL sprains
- Received training from certified therapists on a variety of occupational techniques
- Communicated with empathy and understanding to build rapport with patients
How To Pick the Best Health Care Resume Template
When picking a resume template as a health care support worker, keep in mind the template should be professional and easy to read. Avoid flashy colors, overly decorative fonts, or bulky graphics that may distract the reader from your content. Opt for a single-column template that allows you to control the flow of information and conserve valuable page space. Remember, your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so make sure it’s well-written and professional-looking.
Health Care Support Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Daisy Buchanan
(585) 483-5021
[email protected]
Port Jefferson, NY 11550
Profile
An Occupational Therapy Assistant with three years of experience delivering compassionate care to patients living with disabilities. A proven track record of delivering rehabilitative services and physical therapy to improve quality of life for patients and achieve healthcare goals.
Professional Experience
Occupational Therapy Assistant, North Shore Rehabilitation, Port Jefferson, NY
July 2018 – Present
- Provide occupational therapy, out-patient therapy, and in-home care to individuals recovering from injuries and surgeries
- Deliver follow-up care to clients, using rehabilitative exercises and ensure compliance with care plans from occupational therapists
- Consult with medical care team during regular meetings to assess progress for each client and determine changes to physical therapy treatment plans
Occupational Therapy Intern, Woodhaven Sports Medicine Complex, Port Jefferson, NY
January – May 2018
- Delivered physical therapy and rehabilitative services to athletes under the direction of occupational therapists for soft tissue injuries, ACL tears, and MCL sprains
- Received training from certified therapists on a variety of occupational techniques
- Communicated with empathy and understanding to build rapport with patients
Key Skills
- Therapeutic Techniques
- Acute Care
- Occupational Therapy
- Patient Relations
- Treatment Planning
Education
Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy
Suffolk County Community College, September 2016 – May 2018
Certifications
- CPR certification, December, 2016
Lakshmi Bai
(930) 204-2945
[email protected]
Encino, CA 48992
Profile
A patient-centered Phlebotomist with eight years of clinical experience, specializing in laboratory operations, patient relations, and specimen handling. Adept at performing venipunctures and capillary punctures with a 99% accuracy rate.
Professional Experience
Head Phlebotomist, Cedars Sinai South Plaza Drawing Lab, Los Angeles, CA
April 2015 – Present
- Manage a team of three phlebotomists to draw blood, perform laboratory testing, and ensure safe handling of specimens to prevent contamination
- Provide emotional support to anxious patients to ensure comfort during procedures
on staff at blood draw laboratory station - Process more than 65 clients daily, carefully handling and documenting all blood draws
- Ensure compliance with Covid-19 safety and infection prevention protocols
Phlebotomist, UCLA Clinical Laboratory Services, Encino, CA
August 2013 – April 2015
- Perform over 25+ blood draws per day for a walk in clinic, obtain medical history from patients, and prepare specimens for transfer to lab sites for analysis
- Conducted inspections on testing equipment, perform maintenance, and ensured compliance with laboratory safety protocols
- Managed electronic health records (EHR) and data collection for patient history
Education
Phlebotomy Training and Certification Program, June 2013
Phlebotomy Training Specialists, Culver City, CA
Skills
- Blood Collection
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Venipuncture Procedures
- Capillary Puncture Procedures
- Specimen Handling
Certifications
- CPT II certification, August 2013
- Advanced phlebotomy CE certificate, National Healthcareer Association
Ellen Ripley
(483) 492-2104
[email protected]
Roswell, NM 10493
Profile
A Psychiatric Aid with 15 years of experience providing compassionate care to patients suffering from mental illness, developmental disabilities, and cognitive disorders. A proven track record of coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams to develop ideal care plans.
Professional Experience
Psychiatric Aide, Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, Roswell, NM
March 2016 – Present
- Coordinate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide mental health services to a wide range of patients suffering from emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disorders
- Provide support to psychiatrists, psychologists, and nurses over the course of treatment, including patient education, medication administration, and vital sign monitoring
- Plan, manage, and lead group therapy sessions for patients in collaboration with licensed psychologists to treat depression, anxiety, and PTSD
Psychiatric Aide, San Mateo Serenity House, San Mateo, CA
June 2005 – January 2016
- Provided support to the medical team at a short-term residential facility for adults experiencing a mental health crisis related to depression, PTSD, anxiety, and trauma
- Administer medications, support activities of daily living (ADLs), resolve conflicts, and restrain patients to prevent physical injury during treatment and ensure safety
- Coordinate social, educational, and recreational activities for patients, including craft classes, workshops, and group therapy sessions
Education
Psychiatric Technician Diploma Program, June 2005
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, San Mateo, CA 94403
Skills
- Psychology
- Patient Advocacy
- Conflict Resolution
- Medication Administration
- Communication
Certifications
- Certified Psychiatric Technician, American Association of Psychiatric Technicians, June, 2010
- CPR certification, April, 2005
Frequently Asked Questions: Health Care Support Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for health care support resumes?+
It can be hard not to repeatedly use the same words and phrases when describing your job and duties, especially within the health care industry. That being said, differentiating your usage of action verbs can enhance the readability and impact of your bullet points. To avoid sounding like a broken record, here are some common action verbs to use in your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administered | Assisted |
| Communicated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Delivered |
| Developed | Diagnosed |
| Drove | Enhanced |
| Evaluated | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Interfaced | Partnered |
| Performed | Provided |
| Resolved | Treated |
How do you align your resume with a health care support job description?+
Health care support encompasses a number of professions, from phlebotomists and orderlies to home health care aides. They’re all poised to play a greater role in the U.S. workforce during the coming decades. The need for home health care and personal care aides, for example, is projected to grow by 25% over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
An increase in jobs, however, doesn’t mean you won’t face competition when you apply for a position in health care support. It is important to still align your resume with the job description to increase your chances of landing the interview. Be sure to include medical terminology and skill sets demonstrating your unique health care industry specializations. Also, ground your expertise in specific accomplishments, as you won’t generate traction during the job search if your resume doesn’t paint a compelling picture of your professional history.
What is the best health care support resume format?+
Reverse chronological format is good for a health care support resume because it allows you to showcase your most recent and relevant work experience in the health care field. This approach demonstrates your skills, achievements, and professional development in a clear and concise way. It can also help you highlight your career progression and show employers you are current with the latest trends and practices in the health care industry.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Once you’re done with your resume, a good way to finish it before sending it off to your prospective employer is to add a cover letter. This is a great opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and explain why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Remember, a cover should be fairly succinct. Try not to exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our certified nursing assistant cover letter examples.
