Medical Sales Manager Finds Right-Sized Health Care Jobs

Medical Sales Manager Finds Right-Sized Health Care JobsMedical Sales Manager Finds Right-Sized Health Care JobsKevin Andres wanted a sales position that was just right for his health-services experience and career track.Kevin Andres had a Goldilocks problem. His regional sales-management position with a small dental company in Los Angeles was too small, and the company was looking to get even smaller. When Andres joined the company in January 2008, he had eight reps working with him to cover the western United States, but in August 2008, that number had been slashed to five. Shortly thereafter, the company made further cuts, and Andres was one of two regional managers laid off.By contrast, his previous position (with a major medical and pharmaceutical company) had been too large, he said. While he loved his 10-year stint with the company and had achieved his MBA through its education-assistance program, he was searching for a middle ground - a company large enough to be stable and secure yet small enough to provide entrepreneurial opportunities.An eye-openerI was looking for more challenges, Andres said. It wasnt a greener-grass scenario, but I was looking for something more dynamic, something that wasnt in such a period of flux. So after trying his hand in the dental arena, Andres began looking for positions in the health care and pharmaceutical industries, where he felt much more comfortable.I didnt have much experience with dental when I took that position, he said. When things went south there, I went back to my comfort zone and began looking at several health care companies I knew were doing well despite the economy.Andres said he wasnt desperate to find a position, since hed received a severance package and wanted to make sure hed found the perfect position. The 42-year-old Seattle resident was also hoping he could find a position close to home so he wouldnt have to uproot himself.Andres signed up with SalesLadder and said he found exactly what he was l ooking for great opportunities that fit his skill platzdeckchen in the medical and pharmaceutical industry with mid-sized companies that were staying healthy, even in a tough market.Id had doubts, but just seeing the types of positions and the companies helped open my eyes and find my sweet spot as far as working for the type of organization I was looking for, Andres said.Finding a sweet spotWith experience and knowledge in oncology and cardiovascular issues and products, Andres narrowed his search to medical-device and diagnostic companies. He found his niche with Myriad Genetics, a firm based in Seattle that performs molecular and hereditary testing to identify genetic markers for cancer.Im really excited to be here, Andres said. We have some targeted therapeutic options were launching very soon for various types of cancer including melanomas, he said.As an area manager, Andres has eight representatives working for him that cover cancer centers, oncologists offices and clinics in the western region. Now that hes finally found the opportunity thats just right for him, he can look forward to plenty of opportunities for growth.Health-services jobs on the riseThe U.S. Department of Labor projects the number of health care jobs will increase by more than 30 percent by 2014 an increase of approximately 4.7 million positions.Many of the fastest-growing healthcare jobs are concentrated in the health-services field, which includes personal care, nursing and therapy services in fact, 19 percent of all health care job growth through 2014 will be in health services, according to career-information site Healthcarejobs.org.The health-services field also includes areas such as planning, management, and delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic information. Its continued growth is driven by a number of factors, including an aging population that continues to require these services and the increased use of innovative medical technology for intensive diagnosis and treatment.The opportunities arent limited to traditional health care jobs and occupations. Health care organizations will need thousands of additionalAccountantsAuditorsPersonnel specialistsDirectors of personnelAttorneysBuyersComputer programmersComputer-support specialistsChemistsEngineersDraftersComputer operatorsPhotographersand Other support staff.These statistics are great news for Andres and others looking for fresh opportunity in the space, and a definite bright spot in an otherwise dim employment picture.I love working in the health care industry, Andres said. This market has always had traction and sustainability, and its a great space to be in.