Top 10 Healthcare Occupations

The new healthcare reform law covers a lot of ground, measuring in at about 2,400 pages, and twice as long as “War and Peace.”

Much attention this week has focused on big-ticket provisions such as a national exchange for buying insurance, an end to excluding people with preexisting medical conditions.

But scattered throughout the law are also a number of provisions that focus on prevention of illnesses and keeping people fit. And, some healthcare experts say, this is where the real action will be in years ahead. What jobs will be in demand to service this need?

If you’re considering switching careers, or are just starting to think about where to begin yours, this is the list for you:

#1 Registered Nurse: One of the most in-demand careers in the entire US, registered nurses are projected to generate over 580,000 new jobs by 2016. This does not count the hundreds of thousands of jobs that will become available when older nurses retire. Those following the path toward becoming a registered nurse will find abundant job prospects and ample opportunities. Call your representatives and tell them to pass the W Visa for nurses that will provide a temporary nonimmigrant category for nurses. Also tell them to tackle legal immigration first to get the nurses in waiting in the EB-3 category moving forward, given that this is a pre-certified shortage occupation.

#2 Home Health Aide: Home health aides function as caregivers to the many people who are unable to leave their homes or live on their own. Home health aides may check vital signs, administer medicines, and help with daily tasks. The job outlook for home health aides is excellent, especially as baby boomers age and home health aides retire or advance into other careers.

2006 employment: 767,000
2016 projection: 1,156,000
Percent growth: 50.6
Salary range: Less than $21,220
Education/training: On-the-job training

#3 Medical Assistant: Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in a variety of work settings. A staple of the healthcare industry, medical assistants are in demand all over the US. Employment for medical assistants is estimated to grow much faster than average, and job opportunities should be abundant for medical assistants with formal training or certification.

#4 Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists in providing medication and health care products to patients. Because there is currently few state, and no Federal, requirements for formal training, many employers have on-the-job training, which is appealing to individuals who want to further their education without attending multiple years of school.

2006 Employment: 285,000

2016 projection: 376,000

Percent growth: 32

Salary range: $21,260 – $30,560

Job outlook: The demand for pharmacy technicians will increase along with the elderly population. Pharmacies looking to cut costs will shift more responsibilities form pharmacists to technicians

#5 Medical Secretary: Employment is expected to grow faster than average, and job opportunities should be especially good for those who are certified. Employment in hospitals and physician’s offices will continue to grow significantly.

#6 Dental Assistant: Dental assistants are the most in-demand job in the field of dentistry. Here are the stats:

2006 employment: 280,000
2016 projection: 362,000
Percent growth: 29.2
Salary range: $21,260 – $30,560
Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training
Job outlook: As dental health among older generations improves, routine preventive care is needed more than ever before. Also, younger dentists entering the field are more likely to work with assistants.

#7 Healthcare Administrators; As the backbone of healthcare systems, healthcare administrators take on the duties of overseeing vast expanses of medial personnel. As the structure and financing of the healthcare industry changes, healthcare administrators must be able to adapt to new environments. However, administrators are still in great demand despite the evolving industry.

#8 Medical Records and Health Information Technicians: Medical records and health information technicians maintain the millions of documents the healthcare industry produces. Paperwork includes x-rays, medical histories, lab tests, and treatment plans. Every patient has detailed medical records, and it is necessary that these records be kept organized and confidential. Even with the proliferation of online and electronic health records, the medical records field is expected to grow considerably.

#9 Physical Therapist: Physical therapy is a growing occupation, especially for those who was interested in pursing an advanced medical degree but do not want to be physicians. Currently, the number of physical therapy jobs is greater than practicing physical therapists because many physical therapists hold more than one job – such as having a private practice and also working part time at another healthcare facility. Call your representatives and ask them to tackle legal immigration reform first so that the backlog of PTs waiting for green-cards (a pre-certified shortage occupation along with RNs), get moving forward for foreign PTs.

2006 employment: 173,000
2016 projection: 200,000
Percent growth: 27.1
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Master’s degree
Job outlook: The growing elderly and disabled population will push demand for physical therapy, an industry that’s constantly expanding its scope.

#10 Physician Assistants:

2006 employment: $66,000
2016 projection: 83,000
Percent growth: 27
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Master’s degree
Job outlook: As health care facilities, particularly in rural and inner-city areas, increasingly use physician’s assistants to address physician shortages and save money, job demand will grow.