The health industry is growing rapidly today. More and more people are entering the health industry, both professionals and non-professionals. There is a significant demand for new nurses, doctors, surgeons, and assistants of all kinds, including technicians.
Although the level of education required to become one of these professionals may be daunting to some people who would rather work in another field instead.
If you have ever considered working in this vital industry, it may be helpful to see the most popular jobs in this field to determine which job might interest you most.
8 Most Popular Healthcare Jobs
There are many jobs in the healthcare industry that offer great career opportunities. The following information is provided to give you an idea of what type of career opportunities exist in each field and how much the average worker earns. You can use this information to help you decide which job might interest you most.
1. Registered Nurse
The employment outlook for registered nurses is also considered to be very good due to increased demand from healthcare services that need more nursing staff. Nurses are required in hospitals, health care centers, state and local governments where permanent or part-time positions are available.
To be a registered nurse, you must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and pass the National Council Licensure Examination. One can also advance their education and get master of nursing online degrees. There are many opportunities for travel because nurses can work with different groups of people in different geographical areas.
They can work in the military, private firms, and agencies that supply nursing services to other businesses. The pay scale for registered nurses is quite impressive, with an average salary of $65,470 per year.
2. Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists work with dentists and other professionals in this field to ensure that people have healthy teeth by providing preventative dental care services such as inspecting, cleaning, and taking X-rays. Dental hygienists are also needed to help when patients have dental emergencies; they advise when patients should schedule routine dental appointments and when patients need their teeth cleaned.
They need at least an associate’s degree to begin working, but many dental hygienist schools also offer bachelor’s degrees. The good news is that the median annual salary for dental hygienists currently stands at almost $67,000 per year, which makes it one of the highest-paying jobs you can get without a college degree.
3. Medical Laboratory Technologist Or Technician
The need for skilled healthcare workers has increased the demand for people interested in becoming medical technologists or technicians. The number of certified medical laboratory specialists is expected to grow over the years.
These professionals are needed in hospitals, private doctor’s offices, medical research laboratories, and different agencies that supply services to other businesses. Other factors also contribute to the demand for this career choice, including an aging baby boomer population that needs more healthcare services, increasing public health concerns, and advances in technology.
Employment opportunities for these professions are good, with employment growth rates projected at 14%.
4. Pharmacy Technician
Employment opportunities are considered to be very good for this career due to increased demand in hospitals and other healthcare centers that want their pharmacies stocked with medications to provide them quickly when patients need them. They work under the supervision of a pharmacist and need to have good knowledge about medications and their uses.
They typically receive on-the-job training, so they don’t require much formal education. It is helpful if they have taken courses in pharmacology, but this is not required. The average salary for pharmacy technicians stands at $30,060 per year, which makes this a trendy career choice today.
5. Speech Language Pathologist
Employment opportunities are considered very good due to an increasing elderly population who have conditions such as stroke, which sometimes requires speech therapy services. Suppose you want to become a speech-language pathologist. In that case, you will need at least a master’s degree in speech pathology or communication disorders, and then you must obtain state licensure to begin working.
Suppose you pass the national examination administered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) after graduating from an accredited college program. In that case, you can sit for the examination for certification as a speech-language pathologist assistant (SLPA). SLPAs help patients improve their communications skills to better function within society.
They must know human anatomy and physiology but do not need formal education beyond high school. The average salary of an SLPA today stands at approximately $56,000 per year.
6. Travel Nurse
Travel nursing has emerged as one of the most popular healthcare jobs in recent years. With its enticing blend of adventure, flexibility, and competitive compensation, it has attracted the attention of healthcare professionals seeking diverse experiences and a dynamic career. Travel nurses have the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings, ranging from hospitals and clinics to long-term care facilities, across different cities or even different states. The appeal of travel nursing lies not only in the chance to explore new locations but also in the ability to make a positive impact on patient’s lives while building a strong professional network. With the demand for healthcare professionals on the rise, travel nursing continues to be an attractive choice for those seeking a fulfilling and rewarding healthcare career.
As you search travel nursing jobs, consider utilizing online job boards and healthcare staffing agencies to explore a wide range of opportunities across different locations.
7. Physician Assistant
Currently, approximately 165,000 physician assistants work in the United States today. The outlook for growth in this field is considered to be very good. This is due to many factors, including an increase in the number of people who need healthcare services and because of efforts made by medical schools to produce more physician assistants (PAs).
Because of the nature of their jobs, PAs must complete graduate-level education. They also need two years of experience working under a licensed physician before taking licensing exams to become certified PAs or take other jobs within the health industry.
8. Physical Therapist
Employment in this profession is usually potential in the northern and western regions, whereas it can be limited on the south and east coast. It is expected that by 2023 there will be too many physical therapist job seekers because qualified individuals are still needed to help patients who have disabilities or cannot function properly due to an injury or illness.
The good news for people interested in this occupation is that employment opportunities are considered very well, particularly for those with experience working with stroke victims.
Suppose you want to become a physical therapist. In that case, you need at least a master’s degree, so you should begin working on your bachelor’s degree if possible because the competition for admission into graduate programs can be challenging where entry requirements are high.
Everyone desires to lead a healthy life, which is why the healthcare industry is thriving. There are several positions in this industry that do not require you to have a college degree. If you are interested in working in this sector of the economy, investigate whether the career of your choice might be right for you and make sure you meet all the minimum requirements of an employer before applying for work.
