Personality Types That Excel in Medical Careers

If you have been wondering whether a medical career is right for you, you are likely asking questions about whether you have the right personality type or traits for this industry. However, there are many personality types and traits which are well-suited to several roles in the medical industry.

Personality Type

Myers-Briggs is a widely accepted means of identifying personality types. There are 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, each suggesting its own set of ideal careers in the medical field.

For example, if your type is ISFP or Introverted-Sensing-Feeling-Perceptive, you are likely to excel in thoracic surgery, anesthesiology, or urology. If you’ve been identified as ISFJ, or Introverted- Sensing-Feeling-Judging, your career options could include pediatrics, ophthalmology, and general practice.

Introvert vs. Extrovert

If you cannot take a personality test, another way to gauge your suitability for a medical career is to consider whether you are an introvert or extrovert.

If you are an introvert, you likely lose energy when you’re around people for long periods of time and regain most of your energy when you spend time by yourself. Therefore, you may find the idea of becoming a pharmacy technician, biological scientist, or cardiovascular technician or technologist to be appealing.

If you are an extrovert, you will find that spending too much time by yourself is what causes you to lose energy. Being social is the way most extroverts recharge. That being said, you may prefer a career as a registered nurse or surgeon or prefer to pursue medical billing training NYC.

Registered Nurses with Patient

Required Personality Traits

In order to be happy and successful in the medical industry, many companies looking for medical professionals will consider certain personality traits.

Keeping Emotions in Check

Emotional stability is vital for anyone pursuing a medical career because this field has many stressors. Emotional stability will allow you to cope with these stressors and avoid burn-out. You must also be able to work well with others, as you will be dealing with several people on a daily basis, from peers to patient families. The ability to work well with others will allow your efforts to be focused on the good of the patient.

Switching Gears

The ability to adapt to change is another important personality trait. Each day will differ from the next in terms of the work you do. For example, a health care professional may see a wide range of patients with various medical issues. As well, depending on the career you choose, you may need to adapt to changing schedules and protocols.

Caring for Others

Caring for Others

Compassion is yet another personality trait that’s required for most jobs in the medical field. If you plan to be a surgeon or physician, you will likely be in direct contact with patients and their families, both to extend care and to express sympathy.

Communication

Communication skills are absolutely critical to anyone working in the medical field. The ability to clearly explain medical conditions, dosages, and treatment options, both to patients and peers, can make a world of difference. PCT training in NYC is just one of many medical disciplines which rely heavily on communication.

Other Factors Which Can Impact Your Career Choice

Just because you have certain personality traits or have been identified as a particular personality type, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee happiness in your medical career. Similarly, not possessing certain personality traits doesn’t automatically mean that you’re not suited to a career in the medical field. As well, there are often many positions within a main medical specialty that can be a better fit with your needs.

Environment can have a lot to do with career satisfaction. The environment you work in should cause you to feel excited about going to work and provide enough activity and space to stimulate you, whether that is a high-energy emergency department or a quiet office setting.

With so many options available, virtually anyone can enjoy a fulfilling career of helping others.