While many industries have faced difficult times in the past few years, one industry that has continued to grow is health care. One of the largest employers in the United States, the healthcare sector is predicted to continue to expand in the years to come. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), the field of health care and social assistance will grow by 32.4 percent over the next decade.
Many people understand the constant need for health care providers. There will always be a market for physicians and nurses, particularly as the “baby boom” generation ages and has a need for increased health assistance. What people might not understand is the depth of opportunities available in this industry. From patient management to food service and housekeeping, the health care industry offers opportunities that fit any interest. You can make your next career move into the healthcare field without going back to school for an advanced medical degree.
Jim Bentley, senior vice president for strategic policy planning for the American Hospital Association (AHA), says that a hospital alone offers a variety of opportunities at every level. “If you think beyond the technical careers, there is a whole array of business functions, hotel functions, eating and housing functions, as well as marketing, advertising, public relations and more,” he says. “A hospital is really like a small city, with everything but a school system.”
Hospitals and other facilities are businesses, and therefore have the same types of finance, administration and IT positions as any other corporation. In addition, many health care organizations have needs for services such as food preparation, equipment maintenance services and housekeeping.
The AHA runs a Web site that offers resources to those interested in about learning health care careers. Health Care Workforce (www.healthcareworkforce.org) provides links to sites and resources about pursuing careers in health services. In addition, the National Institute of Health’s Office of Science Education has a program that lists more than 100 careers in the field of health care and services. From careers requiring a high school degree, such as medical library technician, to those requiring limited training and schooling, such as medical database administrator, there is a career in health care for everyone.
Bentley notes that one of the benefits of working in a hospital environment is that employees are exposed to a wide range of careers and options, and can move into new careers without leaving their company. He points out that while there are many opportunities for those without specialized training, there are also countless programs across the country at junior and community colleges where individuals can obtain additional training.
Another benefit to working in many health care environments is a flexibility of scheduling that is not found in many other fields. Hospitals, for example, are open 24 hours a day, which enables employees to work one of three shifts, or even work two to three 12-hour days a week. This can open up new opportunities to pursue advanced training, if desired, which can lead to higher positions with higher pay.
Bentley says that the most important quality that health care employers look for in candidates is a true love of working with people. “You have to find it rewarding to help people in need,” he says. He points out that this holds true for every position within the health care field, from doctors to hospital custodians. The bottom line, he says, is “you have to be willing to be disrupted to help people. Because you have patients, you have to have patience.”
The health care field, and particularly the hospital environment, is a great place for those with limited education to get a good start toward a rewarding career. In addition, it is an industry that will continue to grow and many functions are immune to offshoring. “Between now and 2010, hospitals will have to recruit 5 million new workers,” adds Bentley. If you have a passion for helping others and enjoy working with people, perhaps one of those 5 million could be you.
