Extroverts are sociable, outgoing, expressive people who enjoy the company of others. They are usually the life of the party and find it easy to speak to just about anyone. Think Mindy Kaling or DJ Khaled – excitable and outspoken. Few people feel comfortable in a crowd, but extroverts thrive off of it. Does this sound like you? If you consider yourself an extrovert and enjoy connecting with others, you may want to consider these health care careers: occupational therapist, health care interpreter, allied dental health educator, public health nurse or a community health worker.
Occupational therapist
As an occupational therapist, you can help clients pursue activities they want or need to do by giving them the tools and assistance to persevere. OTs help people fully engage in their daily lives, from their work and recreation to daily activities like getting dressed, cooking, eating and driving.
Services typically include individualized outcome evaluations, goal setting and improving client abilities. Clients rely on the support of their OTs and need to feel comfortable communicating with them. Someone who feels at ease speaking with people is more likely to earn that confidence from others. An extrovert would do well in this position, especially if they are able to be empathetic, but firm, about their clients’ goals.
Health care interpreter
Health care interpreters translate between languages and understand medical information. Health care interpreters will facilitate communication between patients with Limited English Proficiency and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and their physicians, nurses, lab technicians and other health care providers.
When a patient speaks limited English, it is nearly impossible for even the most skilled clinician to provide high-quality health care services. Without accurate interpreting performed by a trained interpreter, ailments would go untreated. A qualified and credentialed interpreter who has a working knowledge of medical terminology and medical systems is the important link for that communication between doctor and patient.
Allied dental health educator
Allied dental health educators prepare students to become dental hygienists, dental assistants and/or dental laboratory technicians. An extrovert would have no problem with standing at the front of a class. It is frightening to some, but allied dental health educators have to be both confident, experienced and effective communicators. In addition to classroom teaching, allied dental health educators may supervise students in a laboratory, clinical or community setting. They serve as mentors and role models to students to provide quality oral health care to a variety of patients.
Working closely with a group of students every year means being the center of attention at the front of the room and being available to students after class. It is necessary to be honest and open with your students so that they can excel in the field. This field allows someone who is interested in teaching to prepare and mentor the future of the dental health care field.
Public health nurse
Most nurses focus their care on one patient at a time, but public health nurses are a bit different. Instead, they care for entire communities and populations. By working with communities, they are able to educate a mass amount of people and then have that information spread to those across their neighborhoods, schools and states. Public health nurses provide important information to these groups to improve community health and assist with increasing access to care many are not able to get locally. There is also a chance that they will need to go to public forums or events to advocate for improved access to health services.
Community health worker
The role of the community health worker is one that can change the health and education of entire populations. This professional dedicates their time and talents to ensuring that community members receive the health information, resources and health care services they needed. They connect the community with social service systems and with government health services. Their responsibilities range from helping to develop access to resources such as health insurance and housing to advocating for local health needs. They support those whose voices cannot be heard in order to get their medical needs met. It is no surprise that an extrovert would thrive in this position; like a public health nurse, they are working with groups of people rather than individuals.