Healthy Outlook for Jobs in the Healthcare Industry

Recent graduates looking to enter the healthcare field or those already in the field have a bright future ahead. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, jobs in healthcare will increase by 26 percent by 2008, which equates into 2.8 million new jobs. Jobs in demand are not necessarily limited to doctors and nurses. There are a wide range of jobs available across the entire healthcare field that will be steadily increasing in the months and years to come. The demand of healthcare jobs can be attributed to many reasons. One reason is the rise of aging baby-boomers. The healthcare needs of this group greatly contribute to the creation of new jobs whether it is doctors, home care nurses, physician assistants or medical technicians. The creation and advancement of new technology in the medical field will create more jobs in many areas including radiology, diagnostic testing, clinical research and more. Some other contributing factors to the rise in job growth are current employees either retiring or leaving their jobs and the rise of obesity-related health problems, which will increase jobs for personal trainers and nutritionists, for example. Depending on the type of healthcare position that you are seeking, a minimum level of education is required. Some positions do not require a four year degree; however some special training or experience in the field is a must. Those with a business or financial background will also be in demand in the healthcare industry with the need for healthcare administrators and managers, patient reps, chief financial officers, and managers. If you would like more information on job growth and available resources for the healthcare industry, a great resource to read is the 4th edition of Health Care Job Explosion! High Growth Health Careers and Job Locator by Dennis V. Damp. The new 4th edition includes interviews with health care specialists and features over 1400 resources to help readers explore careers and locate job vacancies in this growing industry field.