Like everyone else, people with hemophilia have different career interests and strengths. However, navigating career options can be a little more complicated for those with bleeding disorders. Depending on the severity of your condition, it’s best to avoid jobs with a high risk of injury or those that put a lot of stress on your joints.

“My past jobs are all in the construction field, and there is a huge chance of work-related injuries in the construction trades,” shared a MyHemophiliaTeam member. “I’m hoping someone knows how I can pay my bills without having to work in a construction-type environment.”

Fortunately, there are many job options that are safer for people with bleeding disorders. In addition, finding an employment situation with good health insurance can provide some much-needed help with the cost of medical care. Here are some different types of jobs worth considering.

1. Health Care Administration

People with hemophilia have firsthand experience with the health care system, making them valuable in roles that support others. While direct patient care roles (like a registered nurse) can be very physically demanding, jobs in health care administration are usually done from a desk and sometimes even from home.

Examples include:

• Medical coding and billing — Managing patient records and insurance claims
• Patient advocacy — Supporting patients in navigating the health care system, helping them find resources to get the care they need
• Health education or coaching — Working for medical centers, health insurance companies, or other organizations, providing support and educational programs
• Research coordinator — Facilitating clinical studies that aim to learn more about diseases and find better treatments

Some of these jobs require a degree, while others have specialized training programs. “With training, you can get a medical billing job from home, and some organizations for people with bleeding disorders provide a scholarship for the training,” suggested a MyHemophiliaTeam member.

Read more about scholarships and grants for people with hemophilia.

2. Tech Jobs

The field of technology offers several opportunities for people at different levels of their careers. Some common tech jobs include:

• Cybersecurity — Protecting information systems from cyber threats and hacking
• Data analysis — Analyzing data for various businesses and organizations
• Graphic design — Designing graphics for websites or apps
• Information technology (IT) support — Providing support to people using technology
• Programming and software development — Building new programs or apps or improving software

All of these fields have opportunities to continue your education and grow your career. Tech jobs are changing as fast as technology itself, so new possibilities are always on the horizon.

3. Office Jobs

While remote work has its advantages, it’s not for everyone. If you’re an extrovert or prefer to have separate work and home environments, look for jobs that offer that.

Many office jobs value employees who are willing to work on-site. Because these are desk jobs, you shouldn’t have to worry as much about protecting your joints or the risk of injury compared to heavy labor jobs. Some examples may include:

• Administrative roles — Managing offices and staffing reception desks
• Accounting and finance — Accounting and financial analysis
• Human resources (HR) — Recruiting, employee relations, and other administrative tasks
• Insurance roles — Selling insurance, underwriting policies, and handling insurance claims

Some government office jobs aren’t physically demanding and provide comprehensive benefits packages that can be especially appealing for someone with hemophilia. Check out local and federal positions online to see what’s available and find out the requirements to apply.

4. Writing and Editing

Writing, editing, and content creation can also be excellent choices. These jobs may be done in an office setting or remotely. They typically offer some flexibility, allowing people to manage their work schedules based on their health needs.

You don’t need a writing degree to become a writer or editor. You can also get into the field by specializing in a certain type of writing that’s suited to your background. Start by writing for free in an online blog about an area you’re interested in. For instance, you can specialize in writing about cars, crafts, cooking, fashion, local events, or any topic that you feel passionate about. Use this blog as a springboard to build your portfolio and apply for paid writing jobs.

Improve your chances of getting hired by obtaining certificates in writing or editing. You can take online courses in search engine optimization (SEO), technical writing, social media marketing, or proofreading to learn new skills and help your resume stand out. You can also join professional online writing or editing groups to network with other professionals and learn more about the field.

There are many different work arrangements in writing and editing, including freelance, part-time, or full-time. While freelancing can be more flexible, salaried full-time employee roles are more likely to provide benefits like paid sick leave and medical insurance.

5. Education

Working in the public education system is another good opportunity to do rewarding work and get high-quality health benefits. Teaching younger children may be more physically demanding than teaching older grades. If teaching isn’t for you, you might be interested in other salaried positions in a school-based setting, such as:

• Administrative assistant
• Curriculum writer
• Education consultant
• Guidance counselor
• Registrar
• School secretary

If you like teaching but don’t want to work every day, you can also consider becoming a substitute teacher. Substitutes can pick and choose which days they want to work and which jobs they want to take or turn down. However, short-term substituting doesn’t typically come with health insurance coverage or other benefits, so be sure to factor that into your decision.

Should You Tell Your Employer About Hemophilia?

Some members of MyHemophiliaTeam feel they wouldn’t have had the same job opportunities if they were truthful with their employer about having hemophilia.

“I’ve never declared my hemophilia or disability on any job applications,” said one member. “I guarantee I wouldn't have gotten hired for a lot of the higher-paying jobs or higher-paying labor jobs that I had.”

Although it’s completely up to you if you choose to share your diagnosis with others, there are protections in place to protect people with medical conditions from discrimination in the workplace. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) helps ensure that people with disabilities get a fair deal in the job market.

The employment section states that employers who have at least 15 employees must provide equal opportunities in every stage of the job process, including:

• Recruitment and hiring
• Training
• Pay
• Promotion opportunities
• Social activities

If you choose not to disclose your blood clotting disorder during the hiring process, you may decide to tell your manager, HR department, or coworkers once you begin working or whenever you feel comfortable. Ideally, sharing this information will help them to be more understanding if you need to take certain precautions or need more flexibility or support at work. Workplaces are expected to make “reasonable accommodations” for employees with health concerns.

Examples of these accommodations include:

• Using a reacher to lift lightweight objects and reduce bending
• Setting up an ergonomic workstation to make desk work more comfortable
• Using speech recognition software to help cut down on repetitive typing motions

Employees and employers can work together to create solutions that meet individual needs. Although it can take some creativity and thinking outside the box, it’s possible to find fulfilling “hemophilia jobs” that work for you.

If hemophilia or related complications have made it impossible to continue working, you can consider applying for disability benefits.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyHemophiliaTeam is the social network for people with hemophilia and their family members. On MyHemophiliaTeam, more than 6,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with hemophilia.

When you’re searching for job posts, do you keep hemophilia in mind? How have you taken the initiative to find a job that’s safe for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.