Worried about the
effect of the recession on your career prospects? Don't be. Even in an
economic downturn, one sector is staying strong -- health care.
According to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Current Employment Statistics,
health care employment continued to grow in the first few months of
2008. During the past 12 months, the health care sector overall has
grown by 363,000 jobs, making it the largest industry in the United
States, accounting for 13.5 million jobs.
Better yet, the health
care sector will generate 3 million new jobs by 2016, more than any
other industry -- thanks, in part, to aging baby boomers and increased
numbers of retirees. Plus, most positions will require less than four
years of college education. Here's a look at the four accessible
health
care jobs -- and the education or training necessary to break into
this growing field.
Registered
Nurse
Registered nurses
are in high demand. If you're nurturing, detail oriented, and capable
of staying calm in stressful situations, a
career
in nursing may prove a good fit. By 2010, 1.7 million nurses will
be needed, but only 635,000 will be available. Demand is highest for
nurses in emergency room, operating room, intensive care, pediatrics
and labor and delivery room. Median salary in 2006 was $57,280. To
become a nurse, enroll in a nursing program, which range from
bachelor's, associate degrees, and diplomas.
Health
Information Technicians
Were you the
designated "note taker" in class? If you're super organized
and meticulous to boot, a career in health information technology may
suit you. Health information technologists maintain the medical
records for patients -- including observations of their general
health, medical history and symptoms, X-rays, diagnoses, surgery and
treatments. Don't especially like working with people? This is one of
the few careers in the health field where you can hunker down in your
office, during day, evening, or night shifts. Computer skills are
essential in analyzing data. Health information technicians
typically earn around $29,290, according to latest BLS figures, and
have an associate degree from a community or junior college. Many
employers prefer to hire technicians who have become Registered Health
Information Technicians (RHIT).
Dental
Hygienists
Dental hygienists
earn an average of $64,740 and enjoy a relatively "clean"
job fostering good oral hygiene by scraping teeth, applying fluoride
or sealants, and sometime taking and developing X-rays. Perks often
include flexible hours; more than half of all dental hygienists work
part time. Many dental hygienists arrange their schedule so they only
work two to three days a week. As for educational requirements, you'll
need an associate degree or certificate from an accredited dental
hygiene school and a state license.
Health Service
Managers
Health service
managers, also known as health care administrators, manage
the business end of specific clinical departments or entire health
care facilities. They can be in charge of millions of dollars worth of
equipment and hundreds of employees. They must be good managers with
an understanding of finance and accounting. The job generally requires
some travel and overtime, and pays a median salary of $73,340,
according to the BLS. While a master's degree in health services
administration, public health, or business administration is standard,
a bachelor's degree can land you an entry-level job at smaller
facilities.
