Healthcare is a hot industry for job growth right now. In fact, the number of healthcare jobs is expected to grow faster than any other industry between 2014 and 2024. As baby boomers age, and members of Generation X have children, the need for healthcare professionals will continue to rise. Here are four careers that are in high demand right now.
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs take care of most of the nursing requirements in hospitals and clinics, from providing bedside care to working with patients' families. The number of positions for RNs is expected to grow 16 percent between 2014 and 2024—much faster than the average growth for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While an RN with an associate degree can find employment in many cases, there is an increased demand for nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Many working RNs are earning their bachelor's degree through RN to BSN programs in order to stay relevant in the field.
Medical office assistant
A medical office assistant is responsible for completing administrative tasks in a doctor's office or hospital. The need for these professionals is high—the number of jobs is expected to grow 23 percent between 2014 and 2020, resulting in 138,900 new jobs. To become a medical office assistant, individuals are expected to pass the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam. Aspiring medical office assistants can complete a training program that not only prepares them for the job, but also preps them to earn their certification.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for helping pharmacists and assisting pharmacy customers. As the role of pharmacists continues to change to include more patient consultation and other responsibilities, the need for highly trained technicians is more important than ever. Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024. In order to become a pharmacy technician, individuals are expected to complete a training program and become certified through the National Healthcareer Association's (NHA's) ExCPT Pharmacy Technician certification exam or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board's (PTCB's) Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
Healthcare Management and Administration
Healthcare managers and administrators play a critical role in the operation of hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Depending on the role, these professionals may manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians. These professionals are expected to adapt to changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and technology. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. To get started in this career path, individuals can complete an associate degree in healthcare management, but to grow into higher positions, individuals are generally expected to earn their bachelor's degree in healthcare administration and a master of science in healthcare administration or a master of business (MBA) in healthcare management.
Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned in a field that will always be critically important. While these four career paths are some of the highest in demand, there are even more healthcare positions that need to be filled by well-trained professionals. Want to know more about healthcare career opportunities? Check out Madison School of Healthcare's online programs.
