The different types of jobs available in the healthcare industry have evolved over the past few years. Every individual has had or will have an interaction with a healthcare professional to address their health concerns. With the increasing amount of diseases and illnesses, we need more quantities of professionals that can treat/prevent them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 16 million jobs related to the healthcare industry, and the number will continue to grow. Even as a doctor or nurse, you can work in various specialties that essentially widen the number of job opportunities. But there are some areas of the industry that have been recently growing in popularity. Find out what top healthcare jobs are in demand.
Physician Assistant
A physician assistant is a healthcare professional who practices medicine with/under the supervision of a physician. In order to be a certified PA, you must earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from a physician assistant program. The reason behind the growth of this job title is partly because it takes around ten years to train a physician, whereas a physician assistant can become certified in two to three years. It is also a high-paying career choice that is expected to grow by about 37% by 2026. The projection of earnings by then ranges from $100,000 – $115,000.
Home Health Aides
Among the top healthcare jobs in demand, home care aides are considered one of the most rapidly growing fields in the industry. In the years between 2016-2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a 47% growth. Home health aides are responsible for providing personal care for patients who require assistance due to their age, disability, illness, or any type of impairment. They also may work within a hospice care program. To become a home health aide, you do not need a high school or even a college degree as training is provided by medical professionals. Moreover, some health aides have training as a certified nursing assistant or a licensed vocational nurse. The average range of salary is between $18,402 – $32,040.
Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse that is classified as a mid-level practitioner. They are trained to assess patient needs, interpret lab results, and diagnose illnesses and diseases. Nurse practitioners are required to earn a degree from an accredited program and obtain the appropriate state license/certification. There is about a 36% growth rate expected for nurse practitioners in the coming years. This is also a high-paying field, just like with physician assistants. The earnings projection is between $101,600-$117,850.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists are experts in the movement who work on improving the physical health of patients by prescribed exercise, patient education, and hands-on care. Physical therapists guide patients on how to manage their condition and how to prevent it so they can achieve long-term health benefits. The growth rate for physical therapists is 28% between the years of 2016-2026. There is an estimation of 60,000 job openings in the coming years. This career path does require a doctorate level degree after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in the appropriate field of study. The earnings projection is between $82,620-$92,940.
Registered Nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has earned a nursing diploma, or associate degree in Nursing, and has passed the NCELEX-RN exam along with meeting all licensing requirements. The Institute of Medicine has recommended that 80% of nurses should hold a BSN degree by 2020. The need for nurses has been a subject of concern over the past few years in the United States. The shortage of nurses can be credited to the retirement of the baby boom generation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that the need will see a significant rise between the years of 2016-2026, resulting in a need for 1.1 million new licensed nurses. The projection of earnings in the following years for nurses is between $60,300-$75,900.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
An occupational therapy assistant help patients recover, improve, and maintain the skills needed on a day to day basis. They work under the direction of occupational therapists. To become an OTA, you must earn an associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. In between the 2016-2026 period, the need for occupational therapy assistants is expected to grow by 29%. In 2018, the average salary was $60,220.
The top healthcare jobs in demand are quite diverse and require different credentials and duties. From physician assistants to occupational therapy assistants, there are a variety of jobs available in the healthcare industry. Healthcare professionals will continue to be in demand, and in some specialties more than others. With the growing population and health issues, there will always be a need for doctors, nurses, medical assistants, etc. The upcoming generation of students of medicine is going to make a great impact on the industry.