If you are looking to have a career in healthcare you might be wondering which direction you should take. According to statistics, the US will see an 18% increase in healthcare jobs between now and 2026. This means that approximately 2,400,000 healthcare jobs will need to be created.
While some people like to join the world of healthcare due to its career prospects, others join for the patients. You can make a difference to someone’s life every single day. This is why the world of healthcare offers some of the most rewarding careers.
But what career would you like to have? Let’s take a look at some of the best healthcare careers so you have a better idea.
Dental Assistant
This career involves the dental assistant undertaking a range of tasks. The tasks they complete help with the smooth running of the dental practice. Some dental assistants work with patients, others schedule appointments, or keep office records. Often a full-time job, you could find yourself working in a dental practice, hospital, nursing home, or school.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
An occupational therapy assistant often works full-time and helps patients who have suffered from an illness or an injury. They also help patients who have health problems that have been caused by aging. While some occupational therapy assistants often work in hospitals, some work in nursing homes, or even their own offices.
It is likely that there will be a need for approximately 30% more occupational therapist assistants by 2026. This is due to the increase in population and the population growing older.
Exercise Physiologist
It is the job of an exercise physiologist to work in a similar way to a physical therapist. This job requires you to investigate how people adapt and respond to muscular activity. Using your knowledge, you will help people to improve their performances. You will also need to help people to prevent illnesses or treat them.
Work such as this typically involves working with athletes or teams to help improve their performance.
Patient Care Technician
A patient care technician works directly with patients in much the same way as home health aides do. Often working full-time, you might find yourself working in a patient’s home or in a hospital. Alternatively, you could work in a retirement community or an assisted-living facility.
A patient care technician will need to help people with their everyday activities. This is because they’re likely to be impaired due to an accident or illness.
It is thought that by the year 2026 approximately 40% more patient care technicians will be required. Often having to work unsocial hours, if you plan to work as a patient care technician you could find yourself working at the weekend or during the evenings.
Nursing Assistant
Nursing assistants are a vital part of patient care. They work to ensure patients are clean, that their vital signs are ok, and they can help them to eat. Often working in nursing homes, hospitals, and other residential locations, nursing assistants often work full-time. They might need to work nights and/or weekends so you’ll need to be prepared to work unsocial hours.
According to research, approximately 11% more nursing assistants will be needed by 2026. This is because people are living longer which means more people will experience dementia and other chronic illnesses.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers work to capture medical images. They use the images to help them diagnose patients. It is also their job to run diagnostic tests. While most people in this position tend to work in a hospital, they are also found in laboratories or doctor’s offices.
Working full-time, some diagnostic medical sonographers work weekends and nights.
Phlebotomist
It is the job of a phlebotomist to draw blood from their patients. Blood is usually taken for medical research, blood donations, blood transfusions, or blood tests. The most common place for a phlebotomist to work is the hospital, but they can also work in blood donor facilities, doctor’s offices, and laboratories.
Usually working full-time, a career in phlebotomy is usually a varied but wholly satisfying one. It’s likely that you will see dozens of patients every day, each with their own need and way of dealing with blood being drawn. This world of phlebotomy is always in need of more staff.
Medical Secretary
Medical secretaries often work with doctors but they can also work with medical scientists. Part of their job is to process health insurance payments and a patient’s medical history. A full-time job, medical secretaries, and in high-demand. This is because there is an increase in the number of patients which means more secretaries are needed.
Studies have shown that the demand for medical secretaries should have increased by more than 20% by 2026.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are a much-needed member of a pharmacy team. They work to help medical professionals or patients. Most of the job revolves around ensuring prescriptions are filled in correctly and patients get the medicine they need. Part of this job involves dealing with patients directly and explaining how they should take their medication. You might also be expected to offer them advice about the medication they’re taking. Usually working in pharmacies, technicians can also find themselves working in hospitals, retail stores, or drug stores.
As you can see, there are many different careers in the world of healthcare. The above jobs are just a few of those available. However, they are also some of the best healthcare careers. If you want to care for people for a living, a career in healthcare could be right for you. While you may have to work very hard occasionally, you will find that each of these positions is very rewarding.
As the population of this country continues to grow, there is an ever-growing need for people to work in healthcare. This means it’s likely that there will always be jobs available. If you have the right experience and skills for a position in the healthcare industry there’s a chance you could have a job for life.
