A Career in Healthcare
Career Highlights
- Today healthcare is one of the largest industries in United States, providing over 14 million jobs for both salary and wage workers.
- Ten of the top 20 fastest growing jobs are in healthcare.
- Over the next decade, it is estimated that healthcare will generate over 3 million new jobs, more than any other industry, this due to the rapid growth of aging U.S. population.
- While the large majority of healthcare professionals and workers have jobs that do not require a 4 year college degree, most health diagnosing and healthcare practitioners are highly educated.
Nature of The Industry
Combining healthcare technology and human interaction, healthcare specialists diagnose and treat illness and assist people worldwide struggling with various health problems, ranging from infants, healthy adults, and terminally ill individuals.Industry organization. Nearly 595,800 organizations comprise the medical industry. These organizations vary in size, number of employees, and administration organization. Nearly 76 percent of healthcare organizations are dental, doctor, and other health specialist clinics. Even though hospitals make up just 1 percent of medical clinics, 35 percent of medical workers are employed at these organizations. (see the table below).
Industry segment | Employment | Establishments |
Total |
100.0 |
100.0 |
Ambulatory healthcare services | 42.6 |
87.3 |
Offices of physicians | 17.0 |
36.0 |
Home healthcare services | 7.2 |
3.7 |
Offices of dentists | 6.2 |
20.4 |
Offices of other health practitioners | 4.7 |
19.6 |
Outpatient care centers | 4.0 |
3.6 |
Other ambulatory healthcare services | 1.8 |
1.4 |
Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 1.6 |
2.4 |
Hospitals | 34.6 |
1.3 |
General medical and surgical hospitals | 32.5 |
1.0 |
Other specialty hospitals | 1.4 |
0.2 |
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals | 0.7 |
0.1 |
Nursing and residential care facilities | 22.8 |
11.4 |
Nursing care facilities | 12.2 |
2.8 |
Community care facilities for the elderly | 5.2 |
3.5 |
Residential mental health facilities | 4.1 |
4.0 |
Other residential care facilities | 1.3 |
1.1 |
| SOURCE: BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2012. | ||
The medical industry is comprised of the following types of organizations:
Hospitals. Hospitals offer comprehensive medical treatments, including nursing care, surgical, and diagnostic services. Certain hospitals exclusively offer treatments for children, cancer patients, and mentally ill individuals. Patents who check into hospitals typically receive outpatient or inpatient (overnight) care. The types of employee needs vary, which is affected by size, location, organizational philosophy and goals, budgets, organization, and management. As hospitals become more efficient, more organizations are encouraging outpatient treatments when appropriate.
Nursing and residential care facilities. Nursing care clinics offer rehabilitation, inpatient nursing, and other types of care for individuals requiring around the clock care non-hospital medical care. Nursing aides typically provide most direct care at these facilities. Other clinics, such as convalescent centers, assist patients requiring less care. Residential care clinics offer 24 hour personal and social treatment to the elderly, disabled individuals, and children unable to live independently. Nursing aides assist people who’ve checked into assisted living and substance abuse rehabilitation facilities, halfway houses, and group homes. However, people receiving care at residential facilities typically receive limited health and nursing care.
Offices of physicians. Nearly 36 percent of all medical clinics are classified as physicians’ offices. Doctors and surgeons practice independently or with other general practitioners or specialists. Many doctors and surgeons work at group practices since it cuts expenses, provides backup coverage, and they can collaborate with other specialists. More of these professionals are now employed as salaried employees at medical clinics and group practices.
Offices of dentists. Nearly 20 percent of medical clinics are classified as dental clinics. Most dental clinics only employ a few employees who offer emergency, cosmetic, and preventative treatments. There are many dental clinics where specialists work, including periodontists and orthodontists.
Home healthcare services. Professional medical and nursing care is occasionally administered in private residences under the supervision of doctors. Home medical services are offered primarily to elderly individuals. The advent of home-care healthcare technologies, individual preference for home treatments, and decreased costs has altered this minor sector into one of the quickest growing ones in the medical industry.
Offices of other health practitioners. This portion of the industry consists of the offices of dieticians, speech language pathologists, psychologists, physical therapists, podiatrists, optometrists, chiropractors, and other medical specialists. Demand for these professionals is correlated to patients’ ability to pay for their services, whether through insurance or directly. Nursing clinics and hospitals frequently contract with these specialists when needed. This segment of the medical industry also consists of the clinics of holistic medicine practitioners, including naturopaths, hypnotherapists, homeopaths, and acupuncturists.
Ambulatory healthcare services. This portion of the medical industry consists of outpatient facilities and diagnostic and medical laboratories. These facilities are diverse, which include kidney dialysis facilities, substance abuse and outpatient mental health facilities, blood and organ banks, and labs where blood is analyzed and diagnostic imaging and clinical tests are conducted.
Recent developments. In the constantly evolving medical industry, technological improvements have led to new ways to diagnosis and treat disease. Clinical improvements, including infection control, non-invasive surgeries, improvements in reproductive health technology, and cancer treatments involving gene therapy, continue to enhance the quality of life and longevity for people throughout the United States. Additionally, medical technology advancements have enhanced survival rates for people recovering from serious illnesses and severe trauma, requiring assistance from social workers, various therapists, and other medical specialists.
Likewise, enhancements in information technology have improved employee efficiency and patient care. Tablet computers and other devices are utilized to document medical histories. Additionally, test orders and data about vital signs are transmitted via these devices to central databases, eliminating paper clutter and reducing errors related to record maintenance. However, electronic medical record technology is relatively new.
Expense reduction is driving the medical industry, as demonstrated by the increasing emphasis placed on preventative care and outpatient treatments provided on an ambulatory basis. Managed care enrollment, typically with preferred provider companies, health maintenance organizations, and joint plans, including point-of-service providers, continues to increase. Prepaid health insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage to patients and reduce costs since preventive care is emphasized. Many organizations have cut costs by better utilizing integrated delivery systems, which join multiple segments of the medical industry to improve efficiency by streamlining managerial and financial functions. These alterations will continue to redesign the structure of the medical workforce and alter how medical care is administered.
Numerous medical reforms are currently being considered. Proposed reforms could affect who is covered with medical insurance, the quantity of patients receiving care from healthcare providers, and the type and quantity of medical procedures administered.
Working Conditions
Average hours per week for employees in nonsupervisory positions at private medical clinics vary by sector in the medical industry. Employees at dental offices averaged about 27.4 hours a week during 2012, and those employed at psychiatric hospitals and substance abuse clinics averaged about 35 hours every week, while workers at other private practices averaged about 33.6 hours a week.Many employees at healthcare clinics work part-time. Part-time employees accounted for 20 percent of healthcare employees during 2012, and about 37 percent of dental office employees. Nearly 32 percent of employees at doctors’ offices worked part-time during 2012. Many medical clinics operate 24 hours a day, so they needed to be staffed all day long. Many medical workers, including registered nurses, work shifts. Many medical workers hold multiple part-time jobs.
Work environment. During 2012, sickness and injury rates were higher than average rates in other parts of the private sector. This rate was even higher at nursing care clinics.
Healthcare employees who participate in direct patient treatments must take actions to avoid back strain since they frequently lift people and heavy equipment. Additionally, they must shield themselves from exposure to dangerous chemicals, radiation, and infectious diseases. Home care specialists and other medical workers required to travel are always at risk of being hurt in car accidents.
Industry Careers and Occupations
Healthcare providers hire large quantities of people in professional and service professions. Combined, these 2 groups make up 76 percent of professions in the healthcare industry. The remaining 18 percent of workers in this industry are comprised of administrative and office support specialists. Finance, business, and administrative specialists make up 4 percent of workers in this field. Other specialists in the medical industry account for 2 percent of workers.Medical professionals, including physical therapists, social workers, registered nurses, dentists, surgeons, and physicians, typically hold bachelor’s degrees at a minimum, but some registered nurses obtain jobs with certificates or associate’s degrees. Professional employees are typically assigned complex duties requiring a lot of responsibility. Not only do these professionals administer medical services, but they also often conduct research or manage other employees. Some professionals, including health services and medical administrators, often do not interact with patients.
Health technologists and technicians are employed in rapidly growing professions, including dental hygienists, radiologic technicians and technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, health information technicians, and medical record specialists. These specialists often handle medical technology and help practitioners responsible for diagnosing and treating diseases. Technicians and technologists usually hold associate’s degrees or professional certifications. Service professions are often filled with employees with no or very little specialized training. For example, many are employed as home care aides, medical and dental assistants, janitors, and nursing aides. Home health and nursing aides administer medical services for sick, disabled, injured, or elderly individuals at their personal residences. By administering routine medical services, home care aides help people remain at home rather than assisted living facilities. After acquiring work experience and additional education, many service employees get promoted to advanced positions or make career transitions.
Each portion of the medical industry offers a diverse range of hourly wages or salaries.
Hospitals. Hospitals hire employees with various training and education levels, providing more opportunities compared to other segments of the medical industry. Nearly 28 percent of people employed at hospitals are registered nurses. Hospitals also hire numerous doctors, surgeons, social workers, and therapists. Nearly 21 percent of jobs found at hospitals are filled by service specialists, including janitors, home health, psychiatric, and nursing aides. Hospitals also hire a lot of administrative and office employees.
Nursing and residential care facilities. Nearly 63 percent of jobs at residential care facilities are held by home health, psychiatric, and nursing aides. There are fewer administrative and support specialists employed at these facilities, compared to other segments of the medical industry. Federal law mandates that nursing facilities are staffed by licensed professionals around the clock to ensure patients receive proper care.
Offices of physicians. Most positions available at physicians’ offices are filled by professionals, such as doctors, surgeons, and registered nurses. Nearly 37 percent of these positions are filled by administrative specialists, including information clerks and receptionists.
Offices of dentists. About 35 percent of positions available at dental offices are filled by service professionals, typically dental assistants. Most dental offices are staffed by a single dentist and multiple dental assistants and hygienists. Bigger clinics are typically staffed with administrative specialists and office managers.
Home healthcare services. Nearly 59 percent of professions in this sector are held by service specialists, typically home care and home health aides. Numerous therapists and nursing professionals are also employed in this sector of the medical industry.
Offices of other health practitioners. 42 percent of positions in this sector of the medical industry are filled by chiropractors, dispensing opticians, and occupational and physical therapists. Additionally, technical specialists account for 31 percent and administrative specialists account for 35 percent of workers in this sector of the medical industry.
Ambulatory healthcare services. Outpatient care facilities hire a lot of professionals and related employees, such as registered nurses and counselors. Diagnostic and medical laboratories typically hire radiological and clinical laboratory technicians and technologists. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians typically specialize in ambulatory services.
Occupation | Employment, 2012 | Percent Change, | |
Number | Percent | ||
All Occupations | 14,336.0 |
100.0 |
22.5 |
Management, business, and financial occupations | 614.6 |
4.3 |
16.8 |
Professional and related occupations | 6,283.9 |
43.8 |
22.5 |
Counselors | 171.3 |
1.2 |
22.6 |
Social workers | 206.7 |
1.4 |
19.5 |
Dietitians and nutritionists | 35.5 |
0.3 |
9.8 |
Pharmacists | 67.5 |
0.5 |
14.0 |
Physicians and surgeons | 512.5 |
3.6 |
26.0 |
Physician assistants | 66.2 |
0.5 |
41.3 |
Registered nurses | 2,192.4 |
15.3 |
23.4 |
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians | 278.8 |
1.9 |
14.0 |
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics | 142.1 |
1.0 |
9.2 |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 619.1 |
4.3 |
21.9 |
Office and administrative support occupations | 2,540.3 |
17.7 |
19.7 |
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators | 194.8 |
1.4 |
19.7 |
Receptionists and information clerks | 386.3 |
2.7 |
16.1 |
Secretaries and administrative assistants | 770.7 |
5.4 |
26.5 |
| NOTE: Columns may not add to total due to omission of occupations with small employment. SOURCE: BLS National Employment Matrix, 2012-18. |
|||
Career Training and Education
Various individuals from all types of educational backgrounds are needed in the medical industry. The medical field hires many professionals who’ve earned graduate degrees and completed years of specialized training. However, the majority of jobs in the medical field are filled by individuals without bachelor’s degrees.Numerous postsecondary programs offer specialized medical training. Individuals intending to become diagnosing and treatment specialists, including audiologists, physical therapists, optometrists, surgeons, and doctors should be ready to earn a graduate degree and complete years of specialized training after college. Some healthcare specialists, such as registered nurses, health service administrators, and social workers must hold bachelor’s degrees. Most technicians and technologists must hold an associate’s degree or professional certificate before getting hired. It typically takes 2 years of clinical and classroom training to complete one of these programs.
Many jobs are also available for individuals with specialized training past high school in the medical industry. In fact, about 47 percent of employees at residential care and nursing clinics hold high school degrees or less, in addition to 20 percent of hospital employees.
Some medical clinics offer continuing education, classroom, and on-the-job training programs. Most medical employees without college degrees assigned to directly assist patients receive training at work, such as EKG technicians, attendants, orderlies, and nursing, physical therapist, home health, and psychiatric aides. Hospitals, unlike other facilities, typically have the funding and resources to offer employee training programs. In other sectors of the medical industry, promotion and job opportunities are limited. Larger clinics typically offer more job opportunities.
Certain hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or training to individuals committing to work at these institutions for a specified period of time. Many nursing clinics offer similar programs. Many hospitals offer cross-training programs, where employees are provided with continuing education, on-the-job training, and college education, to learn new skills and specialties.
Individuals considering medical careers should want to assist others, possess concern for the overall wellbeing of patients, and be able to handle people from various backgrounds during stressful circumstances. Healthcare specialists employed at medical jobs regulated by licensing committees are frequently required to satisfy continuing education requirements periodically to remain licensed.
Promotion opportunities vary by profession. Healthcare service aides and assistants get promoted to jobs with additional responsibilities after acquiring years of work experience or obtaining more schooling. Health technicians and technologists frequently receive promotions by specializing or receiving additional training. Health specialists can get promoted to administrative and management jobs.
Employment Outlook
The healthcare industry will create more than 3 million new jobs through 2018, more jobs than other fields. This growth can be attributed to aging populations. Half of the 20 quickest growing professions are related to medical care. Numerous career opportunities will become available as healthcare workers retire and make career transitions.Employment change. Job growth in the medical industry is estimated to grow 22 percent until 2018, while growth in other industries is projected to increase by 11 percent (see table 3 below). Estimated rates of job growth for certain sectors of the medical industry vary widely, from 10 percent at hospitals to 46 percent at home healthcare providers.
Industry segment | 2012 | 2012-18 |
Healthcare, total | 14,336.0 |
22.5 |
Hospitals, public and private | 5,667.2 |
10.1 |
Nursing and residential care facilities | 3,008.0 |
21.2 |
Offices of physicians | 2,265.7 |
34.1 |
Home healthcare services | 958.0 |
46.1 |
Offices of dentists | 818.8 |
28.5 |
Offices of other health practitioners | 628.8 |
41.3 |
Outpatient care centers | 532.5 |
38.6 |
Other ambulatory healthcare services | 238.5 |
6.8 |
Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 218.5 |
39.8 |
| SOURCE: BLS National Employment Matrix, 2012-18 | ||
Medical technology improvements is increasing life expectancy rates for severely injured and sick individuals, which is increasing demand for therapy specialists. Likewise, technology advances is making it possible to detect diseases before they become life threatening. Job growth in this industry is also attributed to emphasis placed on home health and outpatient services, made possible by improved surgical procedures and diagnostic testing, in addition to patient demand to receive medical care at home.
Many of the jobs expected to increase at high rates in the United States are located in the medical field. For example, though 2018, job growth for home health aides is expected to grow by 50 percent, 34 percent for medical assistants, 33 percent for physical therapist assistants, and 39 percent for physician assistants.
Extensive growth is projected for employees located outside hospitals, including home care aides and pharmacy technicians. Because of increasing expenses, many medical clinics will alter staffing patterns to cut labor overhead. Where permitted and needed, medical clinics will choose less expensive providers and cross-train employees. Many clinics have reduced middle managers, while at the same time creating new management jobs as clinics diversify. Aspiring medical workers will no longer need to only seek employment at inpatient hospitals since medical care is now offered at various types of facilities. In fact, it’s projected that job growth at hospitals will be slower compared to other facilities since many hospitals are placing emphasis on outpatient care and cutting overhead costs.
Hospitals will be the slowest growing segment within the healthcare industry because of efforts to control hospital costs and the increasing use of outpatient clinics and other alternative care sites.
Demand for dentists continues to increase because more elderly and middle-aged individuals are trying to keep their natural teeth, greater emphasis has been placed on dental hygiene, and more people can afford dental care. Dentists will rely on dental assistants and hygienists to assist them with their larger clienteles.
Job prospects. Many job opportunities will be made available at all medical clinics as employees retire or make career transitions. Additionally, stricter immigration laws limiting the amount of foreign-born medical workers employed in America will increase the availability of healthcare jobs nationwide.
Jobs with high turnover are typically low paying, provide limited benefits, have minimal training requirements, and are part-time. Jobs fitting this criteria include home health aides, attendants, and orderlies, where it’s projected that 592,200 of these jobs will be created through 2018. In comparison, jobs with low turnover, including surgeon and doctor positions, are typically high paying, require extensive training, and are full-time.
Another job where it’s projected there will be numerous future job opportunities include registered nurse positions. Many current registered nurses are getting older and low quantities of younger nurses are entering the profession. Therefore, hospitals and medical clinics in some states are struggling with the recruitment and retention of nurses. All types of medical workers will be in demand through the near future. Typically, it’s less difficult for those seeking employment with medical training to locate jobs and receive promotions. Many medical clinics will only hire individuals with clinical training in a specialized field, and those with this type of training typically enjoy better promotion opportunities.
Earning
Average earnings for nonsupervisory, nonmanagement healthcare workers in most segments of the healthcare industtry are higher than the average for all private industry workers, with hospital workers earning considerably more than average and those employed in residential care and nursing care facilities and home healthcare services earning less (table 4). Average earnings quite frequently are higher in hospitals due the higher than average percentage of jobs requiring higher levels of training and professional education. Those segments of the healthcare industry with lower earnings employ large numbers of part-time service workers.Industry segment | Earnings | Weekly | |
Hourly | Weekly | ||
Total, private industry | $18.08 |
$608 |
33.6 |
Healthcare | 20.38 |
678 |
33.2 |
Hospitals, public and private | 23.99 |
866 |
36.1 |
Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 23.21 |
804 |
34.6 |
Offices of dentists | 22.36 |
613 |
27.4 |
Offices of physicians | 22.09 |
732 |
33.1 |
Outpatient care centers | 21.13 |
718 |
34.0 |
Offices of other health practitioners | 19.35 |
543 |
28.0 |
Home healthcare services | 16.17 |
478 |
29.6 |
Other ambulatory healthcare services | 15.76 |
571 |
36.3 |
Nursing and residential care facilities | 13.70 |
439 |
32.1 |
| SOURCE: BLS Current Employment Statistics, 2012. | |||
Occupation | Ambulatory healthcare services | Hospitals | Nursing and residential care services | All industries |
Registered nurses | $28.65 |
$30.71 |
$27.20 |
$30.03 |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 17.82 |
18.37 |
19.44 |
18.77 |
Dental assistants | 15.53 |
16.17 |
14.46 |
15.57 |
Medical secretaries | 14.31 |
14.21 |
13.49 |
14.27 |
Medical assistants | 13.59 |
14.32 |
11.83 |
13.60 |
Receptionists and information clerks | 12.33 |
12.75 |
10.64 |
11.80 |
Office clerks, general | 11.96 |
13.33 |
11.91 |
12.17 |
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants | 11.37 |
12.03 |
11.07 |
11.46 |
Home health aides | 9.73 |
11.58 |
9.81 |
9.84 |
Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 9.62 |
10.28 |
9.21 |
9.13 |
| SOURCE: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2012. | ||||
Benefits and union membership. Healthcare workers generally receive standard benefits, including paid vacation, health insurance, sick leave, and pension plans. However, benefits can vary quite a bit from one employer to next, and from one occupation to the next.
Although there are still a few hospitals that have organized unions, most healthcare professionals are not members of unitions. In 2012, nearly 17 percent of professionals working in hospitals were members of unions (or covered by union contracts) while all other healthcare sectors had union membership rates below 14 percent.
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