While no certain level of formal education is necessary to become a health care recruiter, it is a wise decision to try to obtain a bachelor's degree, as most employers will desire or require such qualifications of any job applicant. It also helps to develop social skills if you want to become a health care recruiter, and you will need to do a fair amount of research into the medical world so you have a solid understanding of the realities of the industry. As a recruiter, you will work directly with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, so you will need to know as much as possible about their jobs.
A degree in English, communications, or even psychology or sociology will often set you on the right path to become a health care recruiter. As a recruiter, you will be trying to persuade medical professionals to change careers or job positions, so you will need to have exceptional communication skills. If you do not know enough about the medical industry, you will not be able to effectively convey your message to the medical professionals; take courses that will educate you about the industry, or work with an established recruiter who can help you develop the necessary skills to become a health care recruiter yourself.
If any staffing certifications exist in your region, you may want to consider obtaining them to become a health care recruiter, even if they are not necessary for job employment. Obtaining certification shows potential employers that you are willing to go the extra mile to perform your job well, and it also shows employers that you are better prepared and trained to do the job effectively. Keep current on any certifications and be sure to do research to find out about professional development opportunities that may make you more valuable as a job candidate in the future.
Once you feel comfortable with the skill set you have built, try to find an internship with a current recruiter, or a job working with a recruiter who can help you further develop your skills and techniques. This may mean working for a specific hospital or health care establishment, or it may mean working with an independent recruiter who works on a freelance basis. This experience will help you become a health care recruiter if desired, and it may give you some insight as to how to run your own business as well.
