Jobs in Healthcare and Medical Services

For people who are concerned about their place in today's economy, there are still many industries that are growing and in need of workers! One industry in particular that is in great need of workers is the Health Care and Medical Services industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Health Care Industry is the largest industry in America. About 35% of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. are health care related, and more than 3 million new jobs will be created in the next 6 years. Furthermore, many cities, like New York are encouraging the growth of this industry to help lower unemployment and stimulate the economy.

The highest paying jobs are usually the ones that require the most education, such as nursing. Nursing jobs have been abundant for many years, and many hospitals and doctors' offices are still understaffed! For many people, nursing is not only a rewarding career choice, but also offers some stability in the shaky job market. Nursing jobs are available all over the country and in many different organizations. Caregivers, Care Aides, Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are in demand in hospitals, nursing homes and elderly care facilities, private doctors' offices, schools, and many other organizations. Nurses can also get paid quite well for in-home care for the elderly or disabled, hospice work, or even get paid to travel and provide nursing services around the country. It may be especially helpful to build up your resume while you are pursuing your nursing certification. Try to find a job within the medical field that doesn't require any education or training, such as the ones listed below. Then, once you have obtained your nursing degree, you will have an easier time finding a nursing position.

If the time and money required for nursing school are impractical for you, there are many other options available that are easily attainable! One of the first things to consider is obtaining assistance for your training. The U.S. Department of Labor provides a service called Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). What this means is that if you have been laid off and are having trouble finding another job in the same industry, you may be eligible to receive assistance from the government to train for another industry. This is a great opportunity to receive some basic education and training in a variety of services within the medical field, and even assistance with finding a health care job once your training is complete. You can visit the Employment and Training Administration fact sheet for more information.

Many jobs within the Health Care industry require quite little or no training or education. Some jobs in the medical services industry such as medical transcriptionists, medical assistants and nurses aides require as little as a few months of training in order to obtain certification. Certifications can even be obtained online, which is convenient and affordable!

There are also jobs that require no training or experience, such as home care giving or health information. Positions like these are an excellent way to add experience to your resume. If you want to pursue a career in the health and medical services industry, it is advisable to start in a job that requires no training, such as a Health Information Specialist. Health Information Specialists work in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, doctors' offices and many other medical organizations. There are many positions in this category, like record technicians, coding specialist, and record administrators. Usually, this type of position just requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, but provides on-the-job training. Once you have obtained a position like this, it becomes easier to work your way up to other jobs within the medical industry, build your resume and your experience, and further your career.

If you are considering changing your industry, or if you are being forced to consider your options, do not let opportunities in the Health Care and Medical services field pass you by!  

Job Category: Healthcare

Source: Susan Wiltman