9 Careers in Healthcare That Are on the Rise
Careers in healthcare are regarded by many to be some of the most well respected and admired careers that a person can choose to pursue. To be sure, it is a highly respectable thing to wish to dedicate your career and talents to the pursuit of healing others.
Furthermore, there are a variety of different types of careers in the world of healthcare that require dedicated and talented individuals. You might very well find that, with so many options, you are unsure about precisely what sort of career in healthcare you wish to have.
There are a number of things that you should consider when you are trying to choose the right healthcare-based career for you. Everything from the very nature of the work you would be doing to the level of education required to qualify for such a job should be taken into account.
It can also be helpful to consider those jobs that have the most projected growth in the coming years. When you choose a healthcare job that is in demand, you do not only give yourself the best chances of securing a position with good job security and salary, but you also know that you are filling a much-needed role in the field of healthcare.
With that in mind, here are nine careers in healthcare that are currently on the rise for you to consider when you are trying to choose the right healthcare-based job for you.
1. Nursing
There are many reasons why there has been and will continue to be a shortage of qualified nurses in the field of healthcare. For starters, the rate at which the current population is ageing means that more and more members of that population are going to be entering into a phase of life when routine healthcare is necessary. This means that there is a need for more nurses in order to administer healthcare to so many people.
Moreover, more and more people are becoming acutely aware of the importance of having good healthcare and insurance. This is in part due to the success of public education efforts. But users often attributed to the wider use of the Internet. Since people are in the habit of self-diagnosing now more than ever, the number of visits to the emergency room and other healthcare settings is on the rise.
More Information about Nursing
It is also important to note that there are certain nursing careers that are more in demand than others. For example, there is a higher demand for qualified family nurse practitioners (FNPs) than many other types of nurses. This is because FNPs have the ability to function independently of a physician in regard to administering care to patients.
If you would like to consider becoming an FNP, you will need to earn an advanced degree that goes beyond the standard Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). Consider looking into Universities like Texas Woman’s University. Learn more about Texas Woman’s University’s online Master of Science in Nursing FNP program to see precisely what it would take for you to become a fully qualified FNP.
You may also go through: If You Want to Change Careers, Become a Nurse
Another career in healthcare that is going to continue to rise in demand over the coming years is that of the home health aide. These are healthcare professionals that provide in-house care to patients who are otherwise unable to leave their homes in order to get the care they need.
For the most part, these are individuals who are either so advanced in years that they can no longer drive or manage to attend medical appointments or those who are suffering from debilitating conditions that prevent them from leaving the house. That being said, other reasons why a patient might need in-house medical care include short-term medical needs and cognitive disabilities.
In order to become a home health aide, it isn?t necessary to pursue higher education. You will just need to obtain relevant certifications and training that pertain to the job. That being said, there are home health aide positions available for nurses, physical therapists, and other specific types of healthcare professionals who are looking for an alternative way to deliver much-needed healthcare to patients in need.
3. Physical Therapy
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift, both within the medical community and without, towards a more holistic approach to healthcare. The dangers of certain medications like opioids as well as a renewed emphasis on preventative care have led to this turn of events.
Because of this, healthcare professionals like physical therapists are in higher demand than ever before. While it was once common practice to prescribe rest and painkillers for certain types of chronic pain, for instance, it is now known that such an approach to pain management can actually be counterproductive in many scenarios.
Instead, more and more people are seeking out the assistance of a physical therapist in order to assist them with their pain management. Such healthcare professionals can assist with everything from physical rehabilitation following a procedure to the management of chronic back pain.
Moreover, should you choose to pursue a career as a physical therapist, you can very well find yourself in a situation where you own and operate your own practice. This can be an incredibly lucrative way to go with a career as a physical therapist.
4. Occupational Therapy
If you are looking for a career that allows you to help people regain the physical skills they need to go about their daily lives. In this case a career in occupational therapy might be right for you.
Whether a person is injured on the job and needs physical rehabilitation an occupational therapist can help bring about a return to normal life.
Another reason why occupational therapists are going to be more in demand in the coming years? Because people are living longer than ever before. Unfortunately, a person?s later stages of life are often the time when they need routine healthcare more than ever.
Occupational therapists can help aging and elderly patients who struggle with mobility to regain the ability to perform simple tasks. Being able to help others get back to a sense of normality in regard to their physical capabilities can prove to be an incredibly rewarding aspect of a career in occupational therapy.
5. Phlebotomy
A key member of any healthcare team is the phlebotomist. This is the healthcare professional who is responsible for drawing a patient?s blood. This might be a necessary part of the process if tester done these certain tests. Phlebotomists are also in charge of handling blood transfusions should one be required.
In order to become a phlebotomist, you don?t need to earn an advanced degree of any kind. You simply need to have completed high school or have earned your GED in order to qualify for a training program.
Once you have completed the necessary training, you will need to earn your certification as a qualified phlebotomist. There are several different types of certifications to consider such as a Phlebotomy Technician or a Registered Phlebotomy Technician. The different types of certifications have varying requirements, so make sure that you understand what those requirements are before you make your choice.
6. Genetic Counseling
The concept of providing preventative care is an important one in the field of healthcare. This is because there are a number of conditions that are more treatable the earlier they are detected. For this reason, the job of a genetic counselor is one of the top healthcare jobs that are also on the rise.
A genetic counselor is a healthcare professional who is charged with discerning the existence of genetic predispositions. Since there are so many conditions that are hereditary. In this case, understanding one?s family history is an important part of discovering how likely it is.
In addition to having the ability to properly analyze genetic information, genetic counselors need to perform as an investigator. It might be necessary to conduct interviews and do some diving into a patient?s family history. In addition this is all about to ascertain how likely it is that they will or have developed a hereditary condition.
Furthermore, a genetic counselor must possess the right communication skills necessary to convey the information they find to the patient. Often, such conversations require a certain degree of tact and empathy, meaning that a successful genetic counselor will need to possess both of these qualities.
The nature that of the work of a genetic counselor is such that a master?s degree in this area is required in order to qualify for the job. With a predicted increase of around 21%, this career in healthcare is well worth considering.
7. Physician Assistant
In the coming years, researchers predicted that the need for qualified physician assistants will increase by about 31%. People widely attributed to the fact that there is a growing lack of qualified physicians in certain areas across the country. Physician assistants have many of the practicing capabilities of a qualified physician. However, hospitals only permit them to practice under the direct supervision of a physician or surgeon.
Becoming a physician assistant is not as prolonged a process as that of becoming an M.D. In this case it makes an enticing option for those who wish to practice medicine. Especially without going through medical school and residency. If you are content with practicing medicine under the qualified physician, then this career might be right for you.
In order to become a qualified physician assistant, you must earn both an undergraduate degree and a master?s degree. Once you have completed the necessary education, you can apply in certification as a qualified physician assistant.
8. Dental Hygienist
If you are looking to have a career in healthcare that is more geared towards assisting patients with their oral health and hygiene. In this case building a career as a dental hygienist is certainly worth considering. A job as a dental hygienist can provide you with a great deal of job security as well as a good salary.
There is no denying the growing need for qualified dentists and dental hygienists. This is in part due to the fact that an abundance of research has shown the direct link between one?s oral health and their overall health.
For instance, medical science linked the poor dental health and hygiene to certain heart conditions like coronary artery disease. Such facts have inspired many people to incorporate proper dental care into their personal healthcare routine. This includes visiting the dentist twice a year for cleaning by a dental hygienist.
9. Medical Assistant
If you are looking to have a career in the field of healthcare. But are not exactly the sort of person who would do well as an actual medical care provider. Then you can still have a rewarding career in healthcare. You might find that your skills and talents are a good fit for the job of a medical assistant.
Medical assistants are an important part of the overall healthcare team in that they perform vital tasks.
Furthermore, this is an extremely versatile career option for those who do not know exactly what sort of healthcare is. Hospitals, private practices, and even chiropractic offices are in need of medical assistants. This means that you can essentially choose whatever sort of setting you want to work in.
The projected growth for the job of a medical assistant is around 19%. If someone wishes to pursue a career as a medical assistant then there are a lot of opportunities. This is also a job that you can pursue without having to earn an advanced degree.
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