If you’re seeking a career in the healthcare industry, you’ll be pleased to learn that the jobs outlook in this field showed real gains. According to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) jobs report, the healthcare sector added 32,700 jobs--in just one month. The biggest gains were in ambulatory healthcare services, which added 26,600 jobs. Home healthcare services and nursing and residential care facilities added 9,500 jobs and 5,200 respectively. If you’re wondering why you can’t get a hospital job, these were the biggest losers—with only 900 jobs.
Demand Fueled by 22 Percent Growth
The BLS stats on Ambulatory Health Care provide some uplifting data. In fact, the BLS projected a heady 22 percent growth in employment in ambulatory healthcare from 2008 to 2018—far better than the national average for other occupations. The demand for these careers will be further accelerated by technological advances as rising elderly populations seek to improve their longevity and quality of life through pre-emptive healthcare.
A New Model for Healthcare
There’s no better time to pursue a career in ambulatory healthcare. Ambulatory Care Centers provide personal consultation, treatment or intervention using technology or physician procedures that take place in a single day. This includes medical treatments for illnesses, including surgical and medical procedures as well as emergency and rehabilitation. The centers are efficient, cost-effective and geared to excel when it comes to patient reliability and satisfaction. They shorten ambulance and patient travel times and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by providing same day care. They expand screening, prevention and care management—all of which will call for increased staffing at various levels.
Ambulatory Surgery Centers Thrive
While it may suffer surgeon shortages and problems with reimbursement rates under ObamaCare, Ambulatory Surgery Centers have a good business model, a solid track record and will continue to thrive. These centers save money as more surgical procedures move away from hospital outpatient departments. The industry is politically active and is growing in numbers. This translates into more opportunities for staffing and career growth at all nursing levels, including physician assistants.
Ambulatory Care Nurses in Demand
As an ambulatory care nurse, you’ll provide professional care to patients through outpatient facilities such as clinics, health centers and doctor’s offices. You’ll monitor their health issues and care using preventive care, encouraging patients to pursue healthier lifestyles. To succeed, you should start with a college degree—the higher the better—and certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a division of the American Nurses Association (ANA).
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this booming field, check out Glassdoor’s Ambulatory Health Care Services Reviews to get an idea of the various employers and what they offer.
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