A hospital is an institution built, staffed and equipped for the diagnosis of disease; the treatment of sick and injured men and women (including medical, surgical and ancillary services); and the housing of patients during their stay. Hospitals are also centres for research and teaching.
Hospitals feature a large assortment of specialized technologies and devices that allow them to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions. In addition, most hospitals are involved in researching new methods of diagnosis and treatment.
Most hospitals are nonprofit institutions, although a significant number of private hospitals exist and operate for financial gain. Some hospitals are part of large healthcare systems, which have multiple sites and provide a wide array of medical services. Hospitals also often offer a variety of employee benefits.
Generally, patients who are admitted to a hospital are brought there by their doctor. This is known as direct admission. In cases of unscheduled or emergency admission, the patient may arrive at the hospital via ambulance. Upon arrival, the patient will be seen by a specialist emergency nurse through a process known as triage. During this time, the nurse will take details of the condition and work out what kind of treatment the patient requires.
Some hospitals specialize in particular diseases, for example cancer or arthritis. Others focus on particular groups of patients, such as children or the elderly. Still others are chronic institutions, where patients stay for long periods of time, such as those with AIDS or HIV.
The earliest hospitals were run by religious orders or by volunteers. These days, most hospitals are run by professional physicians and surgeons. In addition, they are staffed by professional nurses and allied health practitioners.
Entry-level hospital jobs are a great way to develop important hard and soft skills. For instance, they can help you learn communication, empathy, teamwork and equipment handling skills. In addition, many entry-level hospital jobs provide a clear pathway to career advancement.
A hospital’s culture can play a big role in whether it is a good place to work. For this reason, it is a good idea to talk to people in the local medical community before accepting a job at a specific hospital. It’s also a good idea to ask the hospital for information about its workplace culture and how well employees get along.
While there are no guarantees, choosing a hospital with a good workplace environment can help ensure that you enjoy your career at the facility. It’s also worth examining healthcare commercial intelligence to understand the payor mix at different hospitals. Start a free trial with Definitive Healthcare to access insights into different hospitals across the country. This information can be valuable in deciding where to apply for a job and how to negotiate your salary. You can learn more about this data by logging in to the healthcare industry’s leading research source. This is the most comprehensive collection of information on hospitals, physician groups and healthcare systems available anywhere.