Take Stock of Your Options in Healthcare Careers

The healthcare industry is the largest employer in the United States, and it’s still growing. In fact, healthcare will generate more jobs through 2016 than any other industry in the U.S. If anything is recession-proof these days, it’s a career in healthcare.

If you’re thinking of a career in healthcare, consider these questions before you decide which field is for you:

• What are your skills? Are you good at math, science, accounting, administration, technology, counseling?
• What do you like to do? Do you like to work directly with people, or would you rather not?
• What training is needed and is it available? In general, the more education you need and have, the higher your wages will be.

• What healthcare occupations are in demand in your area? Also consider prospects  for the future; you may choose to change careers at some point, but you don’t want to be forced out of your job because of lack of work.

Top Healthcare Occupations

Healthcare Occupations with Highest Number of Jobs
Projected through 2016

For descriptions of these jobs, check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics healthcare career guide (http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm).

Getting the Training and Education You Need

Once you know what you’d like to do, you need to find out what kind of education, certificates, licenses, or training your chosen career requires. More than half of workers in nursing and residential care facilities have high school degrees or less. But many healthcare jobs do require specialized training.

Larger healthcare facilities may provide training or certification programs, especially for high-demand jobs. Some offer free training in exchange for a commitment to work for them for a certain amount of time.

If you need to find a training or certification program, consider community colleges, technical schools, or online courses. Make sure your school of choice is accredited. Ask potential employers if they’ll accept training from that program. The U.S. Department of Education has helpful resources on career and technical schools (http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/consumerinfo/pubsresources.html).

Figure out how much the training will cost. Consider if you can continue to work while you’re in school, if you’ll need childcare, and how much you’ll need for transportation and books.
You may qualify for financial aid (loans, grants, scholarships). Ask the schools that offer the program you need if they know of any financial aid. Go to government agencies, such as state agencies and the Department of Education (http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/consumerinfo/paying.html). Also check with associations and unions, like the nurses’ union or the home healthcare workers’ association.

Your Future in Healthcare

Healthcare professionals at all levels will be in demand for the foreseeable future. Consider the options and opportunities, get your training, and prepare for long-term employment.