Careers in health care have always been popular, not only due to the good pay and job security, but also because they provide opportunities for continuous growth and development.
If you are looking to start a career, you will find plenty of job openings in the health care field. According to the US News and World Report, some of the best paid health jobs require as little as 2 years of training.
According to the recent most research some of the most popular health care careers are as listed below:
Dental Hygienists:
Dental Hygienists work in dental offices alongside dentists. They examine the patient’s teeth, clean them by removing stains, tartar and plaque. They also educate patients on how to maintain good oral health.
The job market for Dental Hygienists is booming with an expected growth of 19% by 2026. The U.S.News website ranks them at #3. Dental Hygienists have the flexibility of working part time and yet taking home a comfortable salary. The median salary as of 2016 was USD 72,910 as per The Bureau of Labour Statistics. The highest paid ones earned upto USD 100,170.
A two year Associate degree can get the career started. A State –specific license is required to work as well as pass an examination, requirements of which vary from state to state.
Radiology Technologists:
Radiology Technologists and Technicians, also referred to as Radiographers, take X Rays of parts of a human body for radiologists to interpret and administer radiation therapy treatments.
The Bureau of labour statistics predicts a growth of 12% by 2026. Ranking #9 in the U.S.News website in the list of top health support careers, the median salary has been USD 57,450 in 2016 with the highest paid earning USD 82,590. Most Radiology Technologists get an Associate Degree, though there are 4 year degrees available. Radiology Technologists are required to pass a national certification exam and obtain a state specific license to work.
Most Radiology Technologists start their career after obtaining an Associate degree. Bachelor degree programs are also available. After graduation they will need to pass a National examination certification and require a state-specific license and continuing education credits to start working.
Physical Therapy Assistants:
Physical Therapy Assistants work under the direction and supervision of Physical Therapists to execute treatment plans to patients with movement difficulties caused by injuries or illness. They use Physical Therapy techniques including therapeutic exercises, deep soft tissue massage and functional training. They may also assist the Physical Therapists by working with individuals to prevent loss of mobility by implementing fitness and wellness oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.
This career is growing more quickly than the other health care careers. It ranks at #4 in the Best Health Care Support jobs in the U.S.New website. The Bureau of labour statistics predicts a growth of 31% between 2016 and 2026. The median salary was USD 56,610 in 2016 with highest paid earning upto USD 79,040. Those who work in nurse care facilities or home health care generally earn on the higher side.
Most Physical Therapist Assistants are offered at a 2 year Associate Degree level, but students must graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Therapy Education to qualify for a licensure exam required by most states.
Medical Assistant:
Medical Assistants work in the offices of Physicians and other health care practioners. They perform various administrative or clinical tasks including taking and recording patient’s data and history, measuring vital signs, drawing blood and preparing it for laboratory tests, helping physicians with patient examinations, giving injections under the directions of the Physician and scheduling patient appointments. Medical assistants may specialize in administrative or clinical work.
Ranked at #18, The Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts a 29% growth in this career by 2026. The median Salary was USD 31,540 while the best paid earned USD 45,310 in 2016.
No formal training is required to become a medical assistant. One can enter the field and learn on the job with a high school diploma. A variety of one-year certification programs are available for specialization in Laboratory techniques, record keeping, medical terminology and clinical procedures.
Pharmacy Technician:
Pharmacy Technicians assist pharmacists in measuring, mixing, counting and labelling dosages of medications and dispensing prescription drugs. Their job requires immense precision and attention to detail.
Most pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies, drug stores or hospitals but some also work in departmental stores, grocery stores or general merchandise stores.
The job of a pharmacy technician can be challenging due to the changes in drugs and generics almost on a weekly basis. It also requires a lot of compassion and patience as most of the customers they deal with are sick.
It is currently ranked at #22. The Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts a 12% growth by 2026. The median salary was USD 30,920 in 2016 and the best paid earned USD 45,710.
A high school diploma enables entry into the field. Pharmacy technicians can learn on the job. However, one year post secondary education certification programs are available through vocational schools or community colleges for specialization in certain areas such as drug therapy, pharmacy law or medical distribution. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which may require a certification examination.
Emergency Medical Technicians:
Emergency medical technicians, also known as Paramedics, are the first ones to arrive at the scene following an accident, fire or a medical emergency. They provide immediate response to the emergency medical 999 calls. They assess the condition of a patient and provide essential treatment prior to moving them to a hospital for admission.
Patients’ lives depend on the speedy, competent and effective care that EMTs or Paramedics provide, hence the pressure can be daunting for most.
Paramedics often work hand in hand with police and firefighters to provide the best all-round medical care. They are trained to provide pre-hospital care including administering oxygen and medication and operating complex equipment.
EMT jobs rank at #24 and The Bureau of Labour Statistics reports the median salary of paramedics as USD 32,670 in 2016 with an expected growth of 15 percent between now and 2026, adding upto 37,400 more job openings . The highest paid earned USD 56,310.
The National mandate requires a completion of 30 to 350 hours of class-room as well as hands-on training depending on the program, to qualify for practice. An Associate degree that usually takes one to two years to complete is ideal for entering into this career. Paramedics need to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Examination to become a certified Paramedic.
Respiratory Therapist:
Respiratory Therapists care for patients who have breathing difficulty due to lung and heart problems like asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, sleep apnea, cystic fibrosis or those experiencing a stroke or a heart attack.
They perform diagnostic tests for measuring lung capacity, administer breathing treatments, record the patient’s progress and consult with the physician for continuing care.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median salary for respiratory therapists was USD 58,670 in 2016. The best paid earned more than USD 81,550. There is an expected growth of 23% in job opportunities by 2024. Respiratory Therapist currently ranks at #19 in the U.S.News website.
An associate degree is required to enter the field, however, Respiratory Therapists have challenging careers as they are required to keep ahead of the evolving health care practices to be able to give the best care to the growing number of patients with heart and lung problems. But the challenges in their profession are quite rewarding.
License and certification is required to be able to practice.
Phlebotomist:
Phlebotomists work in medical laboratories of hospitals, diagnostic or blood donation centers were they draw blood for tests, transfusions, research or blood donations. Often they would be dealing with patients who are not comfortable with needles or cannot stand the sight of blood hence, would need to have compassion and the ability to reassure nervous patients and many a times explain the procedures to them to make them feel comfortable.
Phlebotomists work long hours and during the nights or holidays in many cases but the job can be rewarding as they would be helping people and be interacting with a diverse group of patients.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, Phlebotomists made a median salary of USD 38,950 in 2016 with the highest paid earning upto USD 61,720. This job ranks at #11 on the U.S.News wesbite.
An expected growth of 14% is predicted in job openings by 2024.
Phlebotomists need to complete a post high school diploma program available in vocational schools and community colleges which takes less than a year. Not all states require state certification to allow practice.