Whether you’re interested in a career in health care or want to supplement your current income, there are plenty of options for you. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the health care industry will add 3 million jobs by 2024 and account for about 22% of all job openings in the U.S. during that time period. And while these jobs are diverse, they share some commonalities: They’re all growing quickly, which means there’s room for people with different skill sets and experience levels—including those who haven’t worked before at all but have an interest in pursuing one of these careers.
1. Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced education and training. They can diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and order diagnostic tests. Nurse practitioners also teach other health care providers to do the same. NPs work in teams with physicians to provide patient care at all levels of complexity–from well-child visits to intensive-care unit care for critically ill patients.
2. Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Midwives
Nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives are medical professionals who administer anesthesia to patients. They work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia and monitor vital signs during surgery; they may also provide post-operative care. Nurse midwives provide prenatal care for expectant mothers as well as counseling on childbirth techniques; they may also help deliver babies at home or in birthing centers if there aren’t any complications with the pregnancy or delivery process.
3. Physician Assistants
Physician assistants are health care professionals who work under the supervision of a physician. They’re educated to perform medical procedures and diagnostic tests, write prescriptions, and provide basic patient care. Physician assistants have developed their skills through education at accredited colleges or universities; they also must pass national certification exams in order to practice independently (and most states require this).
4. Medical and Health Services Managers
These are the people who run hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other health care facilities. They’re responsible for ensuring that these institutions are well-run and provide safe and efficient care to patients. Their duties include overseeing staff members’ performance as well as managing budgets and resources to ensure that there’s enough money for salaries–and for new equipment or renovations when necessary.
5. Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists are the health care professionals who study the causes of disease and injury in a population. They’re needed to investigate outbreaks of disease, and they also predict future health risks that can be prevented. Some epidemiologists work in public health agencies, while others work at universities or private research institutes. Epidemiology has become an increasingly important field with an expanding role in finding ways to prevent illness and disease through more effective screening programs as well as improved treatments for existing conditions such as cancer or heart disease.
6. Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
If you’re looking for a career in the health care field, look no further than occupational therapy assistants and aides. The job market is expected to grow by 27% from 2014-2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). To become an OTAA, some states require that you be licensed while others do not. If you do choose this career path, there are many different areas where you can focus your studies: pediatric OTAs work with children who have physical disabilities; mental health OTA’s work with patients who have developmental disabilities; geriatric OTAs help seniors maintain their independence at home or in an assisted living facility; cognitive rehabilitation OTAs help people recover lost functions due to brain injuries or stroke; recreational therapists use games and activities to assist children with mental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
7. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
Home health and personal care aides are the fastest growing jobs in health care. These workers help people who need assistance with their daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, grooming and feeding. Home health aides also assist patients with medical procedures such as injections or blood glucose monitoring. They may provide companionship for those who live alone or have no family members nearby to visit them often enough to keep them company during the day. Personal care aides perform similar duties but typically work under the supervision of a licensed nurse or other trained professional at an assisted living facility rather than in private homes — although some homecare agencies do offer this type of service too!
There are many opportunities to get into the health care industry, and some of them may surprise you. If you’re looking for a career with stability and growth potential, consider one of these seven fast-growing jobs in health care.
