The healthcare industry continues to offer traditional jobs and new opportunities for career oriented individuals with a passion for compassion. Healthcare will generate more new wage and salary jobs in the next 10 years than any other industry. There are many opportunities for individuals with less than a 4-year degree and expanding careers for those with undergraduate (4-year degree) and postgraduate (master) degrees in healthcare.
Nursing Degree
Nurses are in high demand and this demand is expected to continue to grow as one of the largest population groups (“Baby Boomers”) are becoming older, thus needing more health care. Some predict there will be a nursing shortage. This demand will translate to a rewarding career and good pay for nurses. Nursing employs the most people in the health care field. Nursing degree options include: two-year associates degree, four-year bachelors of science in nursing degree (BSN), masters of science in nursing degree (MSN) and a Ph.D. in nursing. Registered nurses earned an average of $62,450 annually in 2008 (BLS.gov). Find nursing degrees >>
Medical Assistant Degree
Students receiving a medical assisting degree work in many fast growing occupations. From medical records to diagnostic testing, various career opportunities are available for individuals with a one-year or two-year degree as a medical technician or medical assistant. A medical assistant degree prepares students to work at hospitals, or in offices of physicians, podiatrist, chiropractors and other health practitioners performing clinical and administrative duties. Find medical assistant degrees >>
Dental Assisting Degree
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth in employment of dental assistants is expected to grow 36 percent from 2008-2018, making it one of the fastest growing occupations. A dental assistant degree program typically takes one year to complete. You will be trained to perform duties to assist the dentist including preparing materials for cleaning and other dental procedures, hand instruments and materials to the dentist, instruct patients on oral care, process dental x-rays, and other lab and office duties. A dental assisting degree will prepare students to obtain a license or certification that is required in many states. Find dental assistant degrees >>
Massage Therapy Degree or Certification
Massage therapy certification or degree trains students to become massage therapists who perform touch manipulate of soft-tissue muscles. Massage therapy is used to help treat pain, ease tired and overworked muscles, reduce stress, rehabilitate injury and help promote overall health. Massage therapists can work in a variety of settings including massage therapy practice, hospitals, nursing homes, sports medicine/fitness facilities, spas and resorts, cruise ships or in-home. Most states have requirements for training, exam, accreditation or license. Massage therapy training prepares students with therapeutic massage techniques and the required formal education to become a massage therapist. A massage therapy diploma/certificate typically takes one year to complete and an associates degree in massage therapy takes two years to complete if attending full-time. Many colleges and schools offer full-time and part-time massage therapy programs. Find message therapy degrees >>
Pharmacy Tech Degree
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists prepare prescription medications, perform administrative duties and provide customer service. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 75% pharmacy techs work in a retail pharmacy environment, and employment of pharmacy techs are expected to experience and above average increase by 25% from 2008 to 2018. Most pharmacy technician programs offer diploma, certificate or associates degree. Pharmacy tech programs prepare students for exams The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT). Find pharmacy tech degrees >>
Public Health Administration Degree
Because of a large aging population, public health administration employment is growing faster than average at 16% from 2008 to 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are a variety of public health administration degree, and public health administrators perform administrative and management duties in hospitals, doctors offices, nursing homes and residential care facilities. Most programs offer bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in public health administration.
Healthcare Administration degrees involve undergraduate and postgraduate courses of study. As the healthcare industry continues to grow, more positions in hospital administration will be needed. Increased patient care in conjunction with the increase of electronic record keeping will require more individuals with qualifications earned through a Health Care Administration degree. A central focus of a public health administration degree is business management. The average annual salary of a health service manager in 2008 was $80,240 (BLS.gov). Find public health degrees >>
Radiology Degree
Colleges typically offer diploma, associates or bachelors degree in radiologic technology, radiography or medical imaging. Radiologic technicians take and produce x-ray images. Radiologic technologists typically perform tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammography. Most states require a license and colleges prepare students for licensing with certificate programs that take up to 24 months to complete. Radiology employment is growing faster than average and most radiologic technicians and technologists work in hospitals and earned an average of $52,210 per year in 2008. Find radiology degrees >>
