What You Need to Know Before Going into Healthcare
Healthcare can be an excellent choice for people who want to help others interested in science, technology, medicine, and math. Yet, the job may prove stressful for someone who is not a good fit for the field. Many opportunities are available in the healthcare field; focus on what you choose as an area of study.
What Are the Benefits of a Career in Healthcare?
Income potential is one of the most significant benefits of a healthcare career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 900,000 jobs in the medical and healthcare industry, and the unemployment rate is about four percent. Healthcare workers who are experienced and highly skilled can earn extremely well.
What Are the Job Outlook and Employment Projections?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment in the healthcare industry will grow by 18 percent through 2026. This is a much faster than average rate—a reflection of the aging baby boomer population expected to need more healthcare services. The field will require more healthcare professionals, such as nurses, physicians, healthcare workers, and other professionals.
What Are the Educational and Training Requirements?
The type of work you will perform in the healthcare field depends on your educational background. There are several types of degrees and training programs available, including:
Associate’s Degree—An associate’s degree is a post-secondary degree awarded to students who have completed a two-year program of study at a community college or technical or vocational school. Most programs in the healthcare field require two years of coursework. Many positions require that the applicant be licensed.
Certificates—A certificate is a degree requiring a smaller amount of coursework than a certificate. A certificate can be earned in as little as one year.
Diplomas—A diploma is a degree that requires two to three years of study at a technical or vocational school. A diploma may be awarded as a certificate or associate’s degree. Some healthcare jobs require a diploma.
What Are the Most Common Jobs in the Healthcare Field?
Many people who choose a career in healthcare begin their careers as nurses or nurses’ aides. Some of the other common jobs include:
- Medical assistants
- Home health aides
- Home health and personal care aides
- Healthcare social workers
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Dietitians and nutritionists
- Medical records and health information technicians
- Medical and health services managers
- Psychologists and counselors
- Healthcare administrators and managers
Are You a Good Fit for the Career?
There is also a high level of skill required to perform jobs in the healthcare field. Work requires hours of studying and clinical time. You must be able to pay close attention to details and have the ability to work with other people. You may have to work long hours and pull a lot of overtime.
You must have a positive attitude and be willing to work in stressful environments. You must be ready to make sacrifices to save a patient’s life, and you will experience the emotional challenges associated with death. A healthcare career is likely to be high-stress with little time off.
Conclusion
Every job has some level of stress—and healthcare is no exception. Yet, the benefits, including the high salary and the chance to help people, outweigh the negatives of the career. After earning your degree, you can use your skills in a rewarding career.
Medical Career Academy is dedicated to providing each student with the highest quality education in several different healthcare fields. With our smaller class sizes, we can commit to each student individually and provide full support at every step in the process. We offer a real-life, hands-on experience for the student as well as a digital experience that is derived from instructors that are extremely skilled and experienced. If you’re looking for a medical career training center in Indiana, we’ve got you covered! Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help!