Saturday, August 27, 2011

5 Rising Health Care Careers

See what it takes to pursue one of these hot health care careers.

"Grey's Anatomy", "Nurse Jackie", "Combat Hospital"? these dramas make working in health care seem so - well - hot.
The fact is: Health care is hot and could be a wise trend for job seekers to follow.
Did you know, for example, that health care is one of the fastest-growing fields in the country?
It's true. The U.S. Department of Labor projects 22.5 percent job growth for the industry through 2018.
What's more, a June 2011 government jobs report shows an increase in health care hiring of 140,000 jobs.
With its growing employment opportunities, industry expansion, and the wide variety of career options, health care has become one of the smartest career trends to follow.
Check out these hot health care career options and the education you might need to help break into the business.

Health Care Option #1 - Health Care Administrator

Are you interested in health care, but prefer to work behind-the-scenes? Consider health care administration as an option. In this position, you might manage operations such as billing, insurance, scheduling, admissions, and purchasing.
Growth: The U.S. Department of Labor projects 16 percent growth for jobs in health care administration from 2008-2018.
Follow the trend: For some entry-level positions in smaller facilities and departments, a bachelor's degree could be sufficient. However, a master's degree in health care administration is common for this position, says the Department.

Average earning potential: $93,670**

Health Care Option #2 - Medical Assistant

If you'd like to get started in a career that has enormous employment potential, consider medical assisting. Medical assistants could perform a variety of tasks from scheduling appointments to performing diagnostic tests.

Growth: The U.S. Department of Labor deems medical assisting one of the fastest-growing careers between 2008 and 2018, with growth projected to exceed 30 percent.

Follow the trend: By enrolling in a medical assisting associate's degree program, you could qualify to pursue opportunities in this field in approximately two years.*

Average earning potential: $29,760**

Health Care Option #3 - Registered Nurse

Interested in a hands-on career in the health care industry? Look into registered nursing. Registered nurses play a big part in delivering patient care, often providing support, advice, and treatment.

Growth: The U.S. Department of Labor projects opportunities for registered nurses to grow 22 percent from 2008-2018.

Follow the trend: There are three ways to prepare for registered nursing opportunities: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, and a nursing diploma from an approved program.*

Average earning potential: $67,720**

Health Care Option #4 - Medical Records and Health InformationTechnician

Medical records and health information technicians assemble, record, and manage information related to patients and procedures. If you know your way around a spreadsheet, or are willing to learn, you may be able to parlay that into career opportunities in this field.

Growth: The U.S. Department of Labor projects 20 percent growth for medical records and health information technicians between 2008 and 2018.

Follow the trend: Entry-level medical records and health information technicians usually have an associate's degree in health information technology, according to the Department of Labor.

Average earning potential: $35,010**

Health Care Option #5 - Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

If you enjoy working closely with people, an LPN career could be a great option for you. LPNs are largely responsible for monitoring patient status and reporting as needed to physicians.

Growth: Employment for LPNs is expected to grow by 21 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Follow the trend: To pursue this career, consider enrolling in an LPN program, which generally takes one year to complete, according to the Department of Labor.*

Average earning potential: $41,360**

0 comments:

Post a Comment