Unemployed nurses told to apply at call centers

MANILA, Philippines—Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz is now advising some 100,000 unemployed Filipino nurses in the country to try their luck in the booming business process outsourcing  industry or call centers which she said had “non-traditional” health-related aspects.

Baldoz was referring to an array of non-clinical but medical-related information outsourcing opportunities such as medical transcriptionists, billers and health care secretaries, that provide alternatives for those seeking careers in the healthcare industry.

“With the fast-growing and innovative trends and advancements in the healthcare industry, I encourage you to go out-of-the-box, beyond the traditional clinical jobs, and explore other emerging medical and health-related careers that are needed by our labor market today,” Baldoz said.

Citing a report from the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), Baldoz said the healthcare information outsourcing sector of BPOs is considered  one of the fast-growing sectors with over 100,000 medical-related jobs open to nursing graduates.

She said healthcare careers now expand into various disciplines which open huge career opportunities for nursing graduates and allied medical professionals.

The Career Guides posted at the BLE website at http://ble.dole.gov.ph/career.asp said healthcare outsourcing careers that unemployed nurses could consider include Medical Transcriptionists; Medical Secretaries; Medical Coders and Billers; Medical Assistants; Medical Representatives; and Medical Butlers.

Nursing graduates may also apply as clinical research associates who monitor and administer health and safety protocols, Baldoz said.

She said the job requires the same skills required of nurses, like medical knowledge and skill in applying clinical regulatory requirements.

“If they are into clinical review and decision making, they may consider a career as a clinical appeals specialist who abstracts relevant facts documented in the patient’s medical record, reviews clinical cases and responds to written medical appeals of patients and clients,” Baldoz said.

Citing the BLE Career Guides, Baldoz noted that these healthcare outsourcing jobs have starting pays ranging from P14,000-P18,000 while clinical appeals specialists employed in the BPO industry receive basic pay of P20,000-P40,000.

The pay may even be higher depending on the hours of work, typing speed and type of employment, Baldoz said.

“The salary in these alternate medical careers is almost double  the average monthly salary of P10,000 received by nurses working in local hospitals and private institutions.” Baldoz said.

“Beyond the higher pay, considering these medical-related careers as employment alternatives is a ‘win-win’ solution for our jobseekers in the healthcare industry,” she said.

These jobs, alongside with constant re-tooling and re-training, add to their educational expertise which will increase and broaden their competencies as they venture to their dream medical profession in the future,” Baldoz added. –Philip C. Tubeza, Philippine Daily Inquirer