The 5 Most In-Demand Healthcare Careers
Even with difficult economic times now and in the foreseeable future, healthcare personnel continue to find jobs faster than just about any other industry. Baby boomers are aging, and their children have had their children. Who is getting hired at such staggering rates?
Nurses
For the last 20 years it has been nurses, and for at least the next 10 years it will still be nurses. Job openings for nurses are expected to number 500,000 in the next three years. Baby boomers will be needing more nurses and more of the baby boomer nurses will be retiring. The fastest growth areas for nursing appear to be in outpatient care facilities, home health care and physicians’ offices.
Medical Assistants
These are support personnel for doctors and nurses that perform both clinical and administrative functions. They’ll take a patient’s vital signs, administer medications and injections, and enter them on medical records. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities in this field are expected to increase 29 percent by 2022. Those interested in a career as a medical assistant should pursue an online health education degree, which typically requires the completion of an internship before the degree is awarded.
Medical Records Technologists
With the aging of both the baby boomers and their children, somebody has to maintain all of those medical records. This field has become much more complex than it was 20 years ago, primarily due to electronic record systems. They’re mostly employed in hospitals, long term care facilities and doctors’ offices. The Bureau of Labor expects a 30% increase in these jobs to 2022. There are programs that offer an associate’s degree in this field.
Medical Lab Technologists
These technologists work under the supervision of a lab manager and senior medical technologist. They perform laboratory tests on specimens. A large percentage of decisions made by physicians are based on medical laboratory test results. Job growth projected through 2018 is at a 22 percent increase. A four year bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
Physical Therapists
There are more jobs for physical therapists than available physical therapists. There is an expected 36 percent increase in demand for them through 2022. Although training is extensive, the career pays very well. Physical therapy assistants are also in demand and will be in the future.
The job forecast in the healthcare industry is robust. The demand for quality healthcare continues to grow with more jobs than personnel to fill them.
By Marlena Stoddard
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