A career in health care can be a very wise choice today. The need is increasing quickly for nurses, nurse assistants, x-ray technicians, medical transcriptionists, medical coders, operating room technologists and other trained health care professionals. Why are these professionals needed more today? Let’s take a look at a few reasons . . .
America’s aging population has created a growing need for health care
According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans over age 65 increased from 34,992,000 in year 2000 to 37,888,000 in 2007.
Americans are using a wider variety of healthcare options today
They’re visiting stop-in emergency care centers, MRI centers, short-term surgicare centers, dialysis centers, physical therapists, chiropractors, and more. In dental care, options have increased too. Oral surgeons, implant centers and cosmetic dentists have thriving practices. All those professionals need trained staff.
Which Careers Are Growing Fastest?
Here are some projections from the 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Quarterly, published by the U.S. Government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians – 14% projected growth by 2018
- Dental Assistants – 36% projected growth by 2018
- Medical Assistants – 34% projected growth by 2018
- Medical Records and Health Information Technicians – 29% projected growth by 2018
- Nursing Aides – 18% projected growth by 2018
- Pharmacy Technicians – 31% projected growth by 2018
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians – 17% projected growth by 2018
- Surgical Technologists – 25% projected growth by 2018
How Can You Start Training for a Career?
More schools today – both regular colleges and for-profit training schools - are preparing students for health care professions. But we have a bit of advice for you. If you want to explore health care work – and aren’t yet sure if it’s a good professional choice for you – enroll in a few online college courses to test the waters. Our online Biology Courses, for example, provide a strong foundation for a medical career. Our new Medical Terminology course teaches medical terms and concepts that you will need in any health care profession. Other courses, like several Anatomy & Physiology offerings, provide a strong foundation for a medical career. So, is a career in health care a good choice for you? Could be! By taking an online course or two, you’ll be in a better position to know.
