Health Care Jobs Outlook is Jammin’!

By Rick Fromme

For those seeking jobs in the health care industry, I’ve great news: the future prognosis is excellent. With just a few exceptions, health care industry jobs dominated the overall list of those careers with the most promising hiring outlook, period.

Happy Smiley Face from Urine Samples (Photo credit: epSos.de)

While various sectors of the workforce employment projections remain sluggish (manufacturing; federal government; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; information; and utilities), those who currently work in or are considering a career in health care and social services can exclaim a hearty “Huzzah!”

A report released in mid- December 2013 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics (BLS) cited, “Occupations and industries related to health care are projected to add the most new jobs between 2012 and 2022.”  Furthermore, it estimated the total employment in our industry is projected to increase by an annual rate of 2.6%, adding 5 million jobs between 2012 and 2022. 

Not only does the health care industry need to retain workers currently employed in their respective fields, but a sizeable number of new positions will be needed, with the most occupation growth projected among health care support jobs, such as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Veterinary Technicians. That should set your tails wagging.

With kind permission given to BLS’ statisticians, I’ve detailed what it deems are its Top 20 highest ranking health care occupations.  I have also listed the other jobs, which, according to the number of new hires the BLS feels a particular field or Specialty, are going to be demand from now until 2022.

Dentist

English: A Dentist and her Dental assistant (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Something to sink one’s teeth into, certainly: Being a dentist was the third best overall career opportunity, cited just behind Software Developer, #1; and Computer Systems Analyst, #2. This profession is expected to add 23,300 new jobs by 2022. Dentists, also known as a “dental surgeon,” specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. Most work in private practice and the most entrepreneurial among them can do very well financially. 

Nurse Practitioner

Coming in as the second place as the most in-demand health care specialty and fourth best job outlook overall, is Nurse Practitioner. It’s the practitioner’s myriad capabilities that make this profession so employable.  And, when considering NPs who have a Drug Devise Furnishing certificate (NFP) can prescribe medication and medical devices, this has become an attractive career choice in our nation’s ever-changing health care delivery model.

Pharmacist

 

pills (Photo credit: robotson)

Along with Dentists’, Doctors’ and Nurse Practitioners’ ability license to prescribe drugs, and hence increasing the ability of the general public to obtain prescriptions, it’s not surprising Pharmacists rolled in as the third most in-demand health care job, just behind Nurse Practitioners, and fifth best job overall. Each day, more than 281,560 pharmacists dispense medicine and advise patients at hospitals and retail chains. The profession is expected to grow 14.5% percent by 2022.  Keep in mind that concomitant with the rise in Pharmacists, while not stated specifically in the BLS reports, will be the increased need for Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives.

Registered Nurse 

All of us know nursing is an indispensable health care profession; the field is in demand of good practitioners. That’s why Registered Nurse was listed just behind Pharmacist as the sixth best overall profession. While some areas of the country have more satiated markets than others, generally speaking, there is always the need for qualified RNs. The BLS anticipates 19.4% employment growth in this field between 2012 and 2022.

Physical Therapist 

A Physical Therapist’s job description includes helping a paralytic regain mobility or a cancer survivor renew his or her strength. They also deal with patients with severe burns and other diseases/conditions affecting one’s mobility. While the actual number of positions opening in the future isn’t as large as Registered Nurse, the BLS projects the profession is still expected to grow by 36% by 2022 — more than double that of RNs.

Physician  

Doctor (Photo credit: edenpictures)

Physicians and Surgeons have long commanded the front–and-center position in the health care field, diagnosing and treating patients and helping with prevention in a wide spectrum of specialties. Like other jobs in this industry, Physicians and Surgeons will see robust job growth. The BLS forecasts 123,300 new job openings from 2012 to 2022; that’s in addition to replacing those who retire from practice.

Dental Hygienist 

Coming in at 10th place in best overall job outlook, just behind Web Developer, is Dental Hygienist. In addition to cleaning teeth, dental hygienists educate patients on proper oral hygiene. While average yearly salaries can reach about $70,700, most Dental Hygienists choose to work part time. Expect a 33.3 % employment growth in this field from 2012 to 2022.

Physician Assistant

Just after Information Security Analysts at 11th place, and Database Engineers at 12th place, are Physician Assistants. Working under the supervision of doctors, PAs interpret X-rays and blood tests, chart patients’ progress, conduct routine exams and treat a wide range of ailments. Like Nurse Practitioners, they can prescribe certain classes of drugs when authorized to do so by a supervising Physician. When you couple PAs’ growth projections for 33,300 new jobs with a micro-thin 1.2 % unemployment rate — one of the lowest on the BLS’ best jobs list — their job outlook is highly advantageous.

Occupational Therapist 

A close runner-up to PAs, Occupational Therapists help patients who have physical, mental or developmental disabilities to take better care of themselves and how to effectively assimilate into society. No surprise, it’s especially on the rise, with 29% employment growth expected between 2012 and 2022.

Phlebotomist 

Let Us Help You Save Lives (Photo: Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center)

Coming in at 16th place, just after Market Research Analysts, are those who deal daily with human fluids, especially blood, urine and sometimes feces. If you choose this field, you need to be comfortable with people being uncomfortable… Who likes getting pricked by needles or delivering a test cup of urine?  Empathetic people skills and attention to detail are a must for this job. The BLS forecasts growth of 27,100 new positions between 2012 and 2022.

Physical Therapist Assistant 

Physical Therapist Assistants fell slightly from ninth to eleventh place this year, but this occupation is still growing rapidly with a 41% growth projection between 2012 and 2022.  The difference between PTAs and PTs is there is a lower education prerequisite to enter this occupation than to become a PT (which can be academically rigorous). PTAs usually do many similar tasks as PAs, but don’t have as many responsibilities.

Veterinarian

English: A veterinarian stitching a dog, after surgery. (Photo Wikipedia)

Doggedly holding up at 20th place are Veterinarians. Not just limited to first-tier animal care, they also protect the public’s food supply by inspecting livestock, promote public health by fighting animal-borne diseases, and help educate people on how to have a healthy relationship with animals. Given the field’s ongoing advancement and the popularity of personal pets, expect a 12% employment jump between 2012 and 2022.

The Rest of the Best

Health care career choices that also topped the BLS’ list for strong employment, in order of their projected growth rate:

Johnson & Johnson Medical (Photo credit: Job Meeting)

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Clinical Laboratory Assistant

Dieticians & Nutritionists

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Massage Therapist

Veterinary Technologist and Technician

Esthetician

Respiratory Therapist  

Epidemiologist

Speech-Language Pathologist

Substance Abuse Counselor

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse

Medical Assistant

Medical Equipment Repair

Reservist Medical Officer at Camp Bastion Hospital in Afghanistan (Photo credit: Defence Images)

Clinical Social Worker

Medical Secretary

Radiologic Technologist

Optician

Dental Assistant

Home Health Aide

Personal Care Aide

Marriage & Family Counselors

Surgical Technologist

Nursing Aide

Pharmacy Technician

Paramedic

Mental Health Counselor

Rick Fromme combines entrepreneurial enthusiasm with an insider's knowledge of the medical industry to co-found MedMasters.com. Both his drive and perspective helps provide health care professionals with a superior mechanism with which to communicate, network and market their strengths. Prior to founding MedMasters.com, Rick operated a highly successful medical device distributorship. Other milestones in his 12-year career in the medical industry include a key position at a medical device start-up company that was later sold to the Ethicon Endo division of Johnson & Johnson. You may also reach Rick by connecting with him on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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