Find your healthcare niche: Medical careers are on the rise

Healthcare is one of the biggest drivers of the American economy, and with an aging Baby Boomer population, the field is poised for a substantial expansion in the coming decades.

Just how big is the US healthcare system? In 2015, Americans spent $2.9 trillion on healthcare, making up one-sixth of the country’s gross national product.

With 15 million healthcare workers, more than one in every ten jobs in the US today are in the industry, and according to the federal Department of Labor, hospitals, ambulatory centers, and physicians offices are leading hiring.

Wages and higher ed investment

Along with job growth comes good pay, something that sets healthcare apart from much of the lower wage retail and service sectors driving the American economy.

In fact, six of the ten highest-paying careers in the US in 2015 were in healthcare, according to job site CareerCast.com. Of course, these positions – the top-ranked surgeons along with psychiatrists, physicians, dentists, orthodontists, and pharmacists – all require extensive schooling and often carry heavy financial burdens.

The average medical school graduate shoulders around $180,000 in student loans, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Healthcare education site Medscape.com found that many doctors were still making monthly student loan payments well into their 50s.

If that investment stings your eyes, read on.

Some of the hottest jobs are of the “middle-skill” variety: they offer solid wages and benefits while requiring less than a bachelor’s degree in education.

Changing roles in healthcare

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. Increased focus on preventing illness and educating the public about healthy lifestyles has boosted the importance of some traditional support staff roles in clinics and hospitals.

Massive advances in technology and expanded access to care through government healthcare coverage, are likewise redefining healthcare careers across the board.

The medical profession is staffed by millions of caregivers from every level of education. Indeed, many healthcare careers are in reach with between two and four years of college, and all of them are expected to add tens of thousands of jobs to the economy in the next few years.

Earning a certificate or associate’s degree at a community college is a relatively painless entry into a rewarding healthcare career. Many supporting or assistant healthcare jobs have a bright outlook, solid pay scale, and reasonably short training period.

Learn more about Your Community College’s full Allied Health programs at ycc.edu/healthcare.

Home health aides

The role of the home health aide is to provide medical assistance to patients in the comfort of their own homes. Often aides will help with personal tasks, such as getting bathed and dressed. Just as important is ensuring that the patient is taking the proper medications and obtaining safe transportation to doctor appointments, as well as performing basic daily duties such as cooking meals, grocery shopping, and cleaning.

Home health aides tend to work for government-funded organizations, which means that they must comply with certain regulations. Since the education requirement is little, home health aids work under the supervision of a nurse or other medical professional.

The job of a home health aide can be difficult. Often patients requiring care in their homes suffer from cognitive impairments, which can be physically and emotionally demanding for the worker. This job can also be very rewarding—the patient’s quality of life can be improved greatly with the help of an aide.

For more information on how to become a home health aide, visit: ycc.edu/homehealthaide.

Physical therapist assistants and aides

Physical therapist assistants and aides help patients recover after injuries or illnesses. They typically work in physical therapist offices or in hospitals. Most states require physical therapist assistants to earn an associate’s degree in order to be certified. Aides usually require a high-school diploma and work experience.

The aging population, as well as high rates of obesity and diabetes, are propelling demand for rehabilitative and pain management jobs. Physical therapy professionals must be able to perform physical activity like standing, kneeling, and moving for long periods.

Like other healthcare workers, they must be detail-oriented and have good interpersonal skills. Compassionate and patient people, who want to help people and see them make progress, are the best fit for this career.

Apply online at ycc.edu/pta or call 123-456-7890 today to learn more.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Sonography involves creating images and conducting tests using special equipment. Most people are familiar with the sonograms, or ultrasounds, pregnant women receive to determine the sex of their babies. Sonography is used to detect a host of medical conditions and prepare for surgical procedures, too.

Diagnostic medical sonographers need associate’s degrees or certificates for most jobs; some employers require professional certification as well.

Attention to detail, good hand-eye coordination, and technical skills are highly valued in sonography. Sonographers also need to bring calm to stressful situations, because they must work closely with patients who may be in pain or mental distress.

Apply online at ycc.edu/sonography or call 123-456-7890 today.

Radiologic and MRI Technologists

Radiologic technologists perform imaging tests like x-rays, and MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging scanners to make images. Most of these professionals work in hospitals. Both typically require an associate’s degree and state certifications or licenses.

Technologists sound like the skill set they need: detail-oriented, good in math and science, and able to understand and operate complex technology and machines. The career also requires people skills like compassion and communication ability, as well as the physical ability to help patients into position for testing.

Apply online at ycc.edu/radiology or call 123-456-7890 for more information. Seats are limited, so apply early!

Medical Careers

Home Health Aides
Median pay (2018): $24,060 per year, $$11.57 per hour 
Number of jobs (2016): 2,927,600
Job Outlook (2016-2026): 41% (Much faster than average)
New openings through (2016-2026): 1,208,800

Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides
Median pay (2018): $48,090 per year, $23.12 per hour
Number of jobs (2016): 140,300
Job Outlook (2016-2026): 30% (Much faster than average)
New openings through (2016-2026): 42,700

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Median pay (2018): $67,080 per year, $32.25 per hour
Number of jobs (2016): 122,300
Job Outlook (2016-2026): 17% (Much faster than average)
New openings through (2016-2026): 21,100

Radiologic and MRI Technologists
Median pay (2018): $61,240 per year, $29.44 per hour
Number of jobs (2016): 241,700
Job Outlook (2016-2026): 13% (Faster than average)
New openings through (2016-2026): 30,300

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018 Occupational Outlook Handbook