The Healthcare Navigator Resource Guide

Handout of Selected Silicon Valley Employers(This is a condensed employer list that also contains information about the job search process, staffing firms, and volunteer opportunities.)

These facilities generally employ between 200 and 2,000 individuals-many of them specialized health professionals. Large health organizations often have a main location (usually with emergency or urgent care services) and clinical services are often also offered at satellite locations. Employment opportunities are posted on the organzations' Web site and hiring is most often done from a central HR department.

Salaries are generally highest in the hospital and hospital-affiliated clinic settings and employees often receive better benefits than in freestanding medical offices (some entry-level healthcare occupations are unionized in hospitals, i.e. CNA, so the salary disparity between the large organizations and independent practices is often significant). Positions within large health organizations are highly coveted by job seekers and most recruitments are considered to be competitive.

To search for smaller, independent employers you may use the following search tool from the EDD-California Labor Market Information Division (Note: The employer information/profiles include the name of the hiring or office manager for the practice or group. This data is from InfoUsa and is updated quarterly):

Note: Most large health organizations post their non-nursing vacancies exclusively on their own site - most of the job postings that are on these sites are for positions in independent offices or for higher level allied health positions

jobscience.com (career center sponsored by the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California)

The majority of individuals who complete an entry-level healthcare training program are not employed at graduation. The HR process is often quite long in large healthcare organizations, and some occupations also require State certification before an individual is legally able to work. It may be necessary for individuals to take on temporary work. In this situation, it is generally best to look for clerical assignments within the healthcare field. The following staffing agencies offer healthcare staffing services:

If temporary staffing assignments for healthcare related positions are not available, individuals may wish to pursue opportunities in a general office environment. Employers interviewed for the Navigator project indicated that they prefer to hire individuals with strong computer skills, superior customer service skills and recent experience working as a member of a team. Individuals would be well-advised to take temporary assignments that will allow them to "brush up" on these important skill areas. The following agencies offer temporary assignments outside of the healthcare industry: