Healthcare providers and social media

Recruiters and hiring managers must dedicate a significant portion of their time to reaching their target audience and broadcasting career information and open positions. It used to be that we took out newspaper ads and posted announcements locally or on online job boards. Now, with the rise and popularity of social media, we have a more convenient method of sharing our message and really connecting with job seekers. But as we know, social media can be a difficult way to reach professionals concerned with privacy and confidentiality. Many steer clear of social media for job seeking (what if my employer finds out?), and health care providers especially must tread carefully in this public forum.

Health care providers come in all ages and at varying degrees of acceptance of social media. While everyone is aware and respectful of confidentiality in conventional terms, there is a lot of conflicting information about how to behave online. You will find experts that suggest that Healthcare Social Media is a Waste of Time for Most Doctors. Professional associations offer detailed “suggestions” that discuss, Professionalism in the Use of Social Media. And of course there are special social sites just for providers to avoid over-stepping a guideline. It can all be overwhelming…

For this and many other reasons, health care providers often avoid social media altogether. Or more likely, participate anonymously. There are many articles that suggest social media is a viable way to stay current on information. VA Careers has a presence in all areas where providers can learn about opportunities. We regularly host Twitter Chats and maintain a lively community of commenters on Facebook, but we also understand that you may not identify as a provider on social media, or feel comfortable jumping in to a “public” arena.

For that reason, we encourage you to reach out to the VA Careers team to learn more about a career at VA, today. Use VAcareers.va.gov as a resource. Not only can you learn more about a career at VA, you can get in touch with expert recruiters to field your questions and obtain personal assistance.