Career Opportunities in the Health Care Industry

Whether you are actively seeking a new job, or looking to be retrained for a new profession, the health care industry is an excellent direction to turn your attention to. Regardless of the type of work you have been employed at in the past, there are plenty of opportunities in the health care field and there is expected to be many more in the years to come.

There were 14 million jobs in health care in 2006 throughout the nation which made it the biggest industry in that year. Of these jobs, 13.6 million accounted for a variety of jobs for both wage workers as well as salary workers. Approximately 40 percent were to be found in hospitals, while 21 percent could be found in nursing homes and residential care facilities. Sixteen percent of these jobs were found in doctors’ offices.

In the year 2004, the Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS) ranked health care as the largest of all of the professional sectors throughout the country. At that time there were 13.5 million jobs in health care. Approximately 13.1 million of these jobs were held by salary and wage earners while 411,000 were jobs held by those who were self-employed.

According to the Healthcare Job Outlook 2008- 2009, the health care industry is expected to generate an estimated three million new jobs (both wage and salary positions) between the years 2006 and 2016. This is more than any other type of industry. In fact “seven of the twenty fastest growing occupations are health care related.”

Retraining Opportunities

The need to retrain workers who have been laid off from their jobs has become an increasing concern. According to the forecasts of University of Michigan economists, there will be an estimated 33,000 auto industry jobs lost in the course of the next two years. This loss is above and beyond the losses that have been felt during the past few years.

Efforts to retrain auto workers to become employable in the health field are underway. As nurses and other health care providers retire, the need for more workers to replace them is imminent. Auto workers who are far from retirement age are seen as an untapped work force and resource to the overstressed health care industry. This is a line of work that is well worth taking the time to consider.

In Southeast Michigan the health industry is working closely with the deans of nursing schools as well as human resource professionals to develop health related training programs for workers who are displaced and in need of work. Beaumont Hospital is one such institution that has partnered up with Michigan State University to retrain employees. They have come up with an accelerated program in nursing that takes 12 months to complete.

Another school that is retraining health care workers in order to fill necessary positions is Colorado’s Community College of Denver. The school has created a part time worker- friendly training program that takes place evening and weekends. Those who participate in the program earn a licensed practical nursing credential (LPN).

In Wisconsin in 2007, Senator Russ Feingold introduced an act called the Community- Based Health Care Retraining Act which helps make it possible for workers who are displaced to retrain for jobs in the health care industry.

If you have lost your job and are looking for retraining in the health care sector, check to find out what programs your local community colleges, junior colleges and universities have to offer. Check the local hospitals as well. Search online for programs that can fit your schedule and are financially feasible for you. Opportunities are out there do not give up!

Qualified and skilled workers are always in demand in the health care industry. This is a huge industry that encompasses a tremendous amount of professions- everything from doctors and nurses, to assistants, technicians, therapists and administrators.

Health care is a science intensive and technology driven industry that is composed of workers who are highly educated and extremely well trained. The selection of jobs in the health care sector accounts for a diverse range of educational requirements. Topping the list of the most educated in the field of medicine are practitioners who diagnose and treat health problems. However there are many workers employed in health care who hold down positions that require four years or less of formal education.

Some of the fastest growing occupations in health care include dental hygienists and health information technicians and CNA’s. CNA training is available in many community colleges Individuals in these positions will assist practitioners in the diagnosing and treating of patients and will be responsible for the operation of technical equipment. Many of the employees who fill these positions are those who have graduated from a one or two year training program. These jobs require a high school diploma and special training but often do not necessitate a four year college program.

Service occupations in the health care sector such as home health aides, nursing aides, dental assistants, medical assistants and personal care  workers are attractive as retraining options as they require very little specialized training or education. It is possible to start out in any of these positions and then with more education and experience either transfer to another position or move to a higher level job.

Health care employees are in demand, regardless of the level of education and training they possess at any given time. Those who have already have worked in the health care field and/or who have training that is geared towards health, may find it easier to secure new employment as well as to branch into other positions in this sector. However the opportunities that await those new to the field are many and are growing all of the time.

Occupational Outlook for a Variety of Health Care Jobs

When it comes to retraining in the health care sector, here are some of the best positions to consider, as well as the median salary you can expect to earn and the education required for the position.

Home Health and Personal Care Aides
On-the-job-training
$7.58/ hour
(This is one of the fastest growing of all of the health care jobs)

Licensed Practical Nurses
Graduate of a LPN program (one year in most cases)
$26,940/year
(Average growth)

Medical Assistants
Certificate
$20,680/year
(This occupation is growing much faster than average)

Nursing and Psychiatric Aides
Vocational training or on-the-job-training
$7.99/hour
(This occupation is growing faster than average)

Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants
Certificate as well as on-the-job-training
$8.54/hour
(Average growth)

Physical Therapy Assistants and Aides
Assistants must earn an associate’s degree or attend a certified program from a technical school or an accredited community college
Aides receive on-the-job training
$21,870 /year
(This occupation is growing much faster than average)

Take full advantage of the job opportunities that await you in the health care industry and do not lose heart. It may take some time and effort but you will find a new job. Losing a job is never easy but with retraining opportunities available to you, a challenging new career in health care awaits you in the not so distant future!