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The State of the Health Sciences Job Market in 2019
What does the job market look like?
Throughout 2019, Career College Central will focus on one industry per edition, beginning with Health Sciences. In this series, we will analyze new data the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook in provide an overview of the employment market in that industry and take a closer look at some common career paths in the field.
Healthcare careers have always been held in high regard. The idea of caring for people from their first breaths through their last, guiding them through stress, grief and joy, and educating them about new phases in their lives, is a noble pursuit. Not to mention, the prestige of the field is notable. Many people, however, have shied away from considering a healthcare career based on the pervasive belief that it will require years of medical school, hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans, and top-percentile test scores.
The truth, however, is much more varied. While advanced degrees, dazzling intellects and years of commitment are still required for many medical professions, the healthcare field is dependent on employees who need little more than passion, commitment, and a willingness to learn.
The health sciences career group includes the fields of medicine, dentistry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health, hospital administration, nursing and more. There is a diverse range of professions within these fields, all of which are incredibly important to the overall patient experience – before, during and after treatment or preventative care.
The U.S. Department of Labor expects the healthcare industry to grow 18 percent between 2016 and 2026, much faster than all other industries. What’s more, many of the newly-created opportunities in healthcare won’t require the level of commitment or availability that a medical degree does. Many of the positions coming available in the health sciences field will require just an associate degree or postsecondary non-degree award to enter.
As healthcare reform in America, an aging global population and constantly-changing technological mandates continue to alter the landscape of the industry, skilled workers are more needed than ever before. An expected 2.4 million jobs will be created in healthcare by 2026 – more than any other industry. Of the top twenty fastest-growing occupations, eleven fall under the health sciences umbrella, and five require an associate degree or less for entry.
Healthcare support occupations and healthcare practitioners and technical occupations are projected to be among the fastest growing occupational groups during the 2016–26 projections decade, growing at 23.6 percent and 15.3 percent, respectively, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections: 2016-26 Summary. “These two occupational groups are projected to contribute about one-fifth of all new jobs by 2026,” the Summary reports. “Factors such as the aging baby-boom population, longer life expectancies, and growing rates of chronic conditions will drive continued demand for healthcare services.”
Because the training needed to keep patient care, research and recordkeeping running smoothly will continue to digitally transform as well, the colleges and universities that keep in continual contact with employers looking to fill positions in the healthcare industry are best positioned to equip students with the education that will lead to fulfilling work.
While it is possible to enter the health sciences field with only a high school diploma, the return on investment for an associate degree or certification from an accredited career college is sound, as those career paths provide a much higher median annual salary, as well as the personal fulfillment of contributing to a worthwhile industry.
Take a closer look at: Health Sciences career options
Career colleges and technical schools around the country offer a variety of degree- and non-degree-granting programs that help meet the surging demand for healthcare professionals and help students begin on the path to fulfilling patient-facing and non-patient-facing health sciences careers. Here is just a sampling of the fast-growing career options available:
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Entry-level education: Associate degree
Median pay (2017): $65,620 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing much faster than average (17 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 21,100 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, operate special imaging equipment to create images or conduct tests. The images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions. Some technologists assist physicians and surgeons during surgical procedures.”
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm
Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides
Entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent, with on-the-job training required
Median pay (2017): $23,130 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing much faster than average (41 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 1,208,800 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
Home health aides and personal care aides help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairment by assisting them at home in their daily living activities. They often help older adults who need assistance, and the field will continue to grow exponentially due to the increasing elderly population in the U.S.
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Home health and personal care aides, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-aides-and-personal-care-aides.htm
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Entry-level education: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median pay (2017): $45,030 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing faster than average (12 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 88,900 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic nursing care to patients in a variety of settings like nursing homes, hospitals and private homes, under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm
Medical Assistants
Entry-level education: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median pay (2017): $32,3480 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing much faster than average (29 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 183,900 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners. It is extremely important that they keep patient information organized and confidential.
Depending on the location, specialty, and size of the practice in which they work, their job duties may include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Entry-level education: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median pay (2017): $39,180 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing much faster than average (13 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 27,800 jobs.
Patient-facing? No
organizing and managing health information data, both on paper and electronically. These professionals ensure quality, accuracy, accessibility and security for patient data. They are trained to use various classification systems to code and categorize information for insurance reimbursement, payment databases and patients’ medical files.
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
Phlebotomists
Entry-level education: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median pay (2017): $33,670 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing much faster than average (25 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 30,100 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
Phlebotomists primarily draw blood, which is then used for different kinds of testing. Because all blood samples look the same, phlebotomists must identify and label the sample they have drawn and enter it into a database. Some phlebotomists draw blood for other purposes, such as at blood drives where people donate blood. They can work in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donation centers and doctor’s offices.
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Phlebotomists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/phlebotomists.htm
Radiation Therapists
Entry-level education: Associate degree
Median pay (2017): $80,570 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing faster than average (13 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 2,400 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
Radiation therapists treat patients with cancer and other diseases by administering radiation therapy. They are trained to operate machines called linear accelerators, which direct high-energy x-rays at specific cells in order to shrink or eradicate them.
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiation Therapists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiation-therapists.htm
Registered Nurses
Entry-level education: Associate degree
Median pay (2017): $70,000 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing much faster than average (15 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 438,100 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. They may focus their practice on a specific health condition, a specific part of the body, a specific group of people or a specific workplace. Most importantly, they often help patients feel more comfortable and relaxed in the face of stress-inducing procedures.
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
Respiratory Therapists
Entry-level education: Associate’s degree
Median pay (2017): $59,710 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing much faster than average (23 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 30,500 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
Respiratory therapists care for patients ranging from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients with diseased lungs, who have trouble breathing. This trouble breathing may stem from asthma or emphysema, or other chronic respiratory diseases.
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Respiratory Therapists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm
Surgical Technologists
Entry-level education: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median pay (2017): $46,310 annually
Job outlook, 2016-2026: Growing faster than average (12 percent projected growth) with a projected employment change of 12,600 jobs.
Patient-facing? Yes
While surgical technologists, also known as operating room technicians, assist in surgical procedures, much of their time is spent preparing operating rooms, arranging equipment and assisting doctors during surgery. As such, they may not have much interaction with patients other than under sedation.
Their job duties often include:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Surgical Technologists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm
Stay tuned for the next edition of Career College Central to take a closer look at the state of Mechanical Sciences in 2019.
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