EXPLORE HEALTHCARE CAREERS
Explore Healthcare Careers
Explore the various employment options and career paths from Alaskans throughout the state.
Curious about what it’s like to work in Alaska healthcare? Explore the unique healthcare industry career paths of Alaskans working throughout the state. Still not sure where you fit? Take the Healthcare Career Quiz to find out!
Director, Imaging Services
Gustavo J. Gonzalez
" Each day, I strive to provide exceptional care and support for both patients and healthcare teams."
After 18 years with United Airlines as an International Service Director, I wanted a stable career following the industry’s restructuring post-9/11. Passionate about math and physics, I chose Nuclear Medicine to make a difference in cancer staging. Starting in South Florida, I progressed from a Nuclear Medicine Technologist to Imaging Services Manager, eventually earning an MBA. Drawn to Alaska’s beauty, I now serve as Director of Imaging Services at Alaska Regional Hospital. Here, I’ve enhanced our services, fostered community ties, and cherished the opportunity to care for our diverse patient base.
Alaska Regional Hospital
Anchorage, Alaska
IT Technician, Deputy Director of HR
Marcus dela Cruz
After 10 years in IT, I moved to Kotzebue as an IT Technician and later transitioned to HR after being encouraged by a friend. Mentoring and training helped me grow from an entry-level role to higher positions, and overcoming career change challenges required confidence and support. In HR, you never know what the day may bring, and we support our organization by addressing different issues every day. Working in healthcare in Alaska is unique and rewarding, allowing me to contribute to the community's well-being.
Maniilaq Health Center
Kotzebue, Alaska
"In HR, you never know what the day may bring, and we support our organization by addressing different issues every day."
Lead Pharmacy Technician
Jayme Reed
I was inspired to work in the pharmacy because I was looking for a job that would allow me to give back to my community and allow room for advancement. I started as a pharmacy tech, then earned my CPhT certification and became Lead Pharmacy Technician through training and experience. I overcame things like communication challenges with healthcare teams through on-the-job training and from observing interactions our seasoned pharmacists had with these teams.
My role involves managing schedules, prescriptions, and assisting community members with their medications daily. I enjoy working in my hometown and being able to help our community.
Maniilaq Health Center
Kotzebue, Alaska
"I started as a pharmacy tech, then earned my CPhT certification and became Lead Pharmacy Technician through training and experience."
My passion for finance led me to Maniilaq Association, where I advanced from Accounting to Senior Accountant after earning degrees in Business Administration and Accounting. I've grown professionally, learning about nonprofit healthcare and leadership. The challenges in my career have pushed me to continue school and strengthen my skills. Working through these kinds of challenges has ensured financial stability to fully support myself and my family. My day-to-day involves managing tasks, budgets, and audits, sometimes overseeing the department. Maniilaq has boosted my confidence and provided unforgettable experiences, making my healthcare career in Alaska incredibly rewarding. The memories and experiences here are things that I will remember for a lifetime.
Maniilaq Health Center
Kotzebue, Alaska
"The challenges in my career have pushed me to continue school and strengthen my skills."
Neva Davis
Senior Accountant
I’ve spent three years at SEARHC, starting as a Medical Assistant and transitioning to a Patient Access Representative. Initially hesitant, I joined thanks to my brother Cade's encouragement and quickly grew to love it. SEARHC’s Medical Assistant program boosted my confidence and led me to my current role at the front desk where I get to interact with patients from our community every day. Challenges like understanding different people's needs have helped me grow emotionally. My coworkers and manager make each day fulfilling, and I love bringing smiles to our patients' faces. Knowing I've made a difference in someone's day is the best part of my job.
Patient Access Representative
Karl Torgramsen
"Knowing I've made a difference in someone's day is the best part of my job."
Wrangell Medical Center
Wrangell, AK
Clinical Director of Optometry Services
Inspired by my mother, a long time SEARHC nurse, I decided pretty early in life that I wanted to have a health career. When I was in high school, the SEARHC optometrist was a female American Indian provider, Dr. Salisa Williams from Oklahoma, and she was great. During my senior year, I worked for our local optometrist, Dr. Wayne Hagerman and set my signs on optometry. Dr. Williams made me feel like my goals were possible. Joining SEARHC a year after becoming a licensed optometrist, I’ve received tremendous support from colleagues and the organization. Despite feeling isolated as one of the few American Indian/Alaska Native women in the field, Dr. Williams, my family, and regional organizations have provided invaluable support. Each day in optometry is unique and rewarding. Whether in Sitka or our field clinics, treating a variety of eye conditions and educating patients—no two days are ever the same. It’s a gift to serve my community in Sitka and help our patients understand the importance of eye health.
SEARHC
Sitka, Alaska
"It’s a gift to serve my community in Sitka and help our patients understand the importance of eye health."
Dr. Pamela Steffes
A Place for Everyone In Alaska Healthcare
Patient Care
Workers in patient care provide direct services to diagnose and treat injuries and illness; they provide education and counsel to patients to support their recovery and to maintain physical and mental wellbeing. These roles provide hands-on, face-to-face care for patients.
Administration
Nursing homes employ people in a range of business roles that help keep the hospital running smoothly and do not require providing direct medical care to patients or knowledge of anatomy or health. Their contributions are vital, as they support the medical staff and contribute to the overall patient care experience without being directly involved in medical procedures.
Allied Health
Workers in allied health roles provide services that support the identification, evaluation, and prevention of diseases and disorders; dietary and nutrition services; and rehabilitation and health systems management. Some allied health care providers work collaboratively with other providers by evaluating and assessing a patient’s needs, keeping the physician and others informed of the patient’s progress, and caring for the patient. Others work independently as specialists in exercise, nutrition, health education, speech, and daily function.
Facility Operations
A number of vital “behind the scenes" roles keep hospitals and nursing homes functioning day-to-day from facility management to environmental services, safety and security, and food services.
Healthcare facilities need a team of various positions to operate efficiently, including individuals to maintain buildings, accountants, IT specialists, chefs, as well as traditional clinical healthcare professionals. So if you’re someone who prefers to work alone, or maybe you enjoy working with others but get queasy around blood, there’s still a place for you in Alaska’s heathcare industry!
It’s true - Alaska has it all. There’s something for everyone here, no matter how adventurous you are. From bird watching to backpacking, road trippin’ to white water rafting, you’ll enjoy all our great state has to offer.
NOT SURE WHERE YOU FIT?
Take the Healthcare Career Quiz