Healthcare is today one of the largest industries. In the year 2008, the industry provided around 14.3 million jobs to salaried workers in the United States. Career prospects for healthcare occupations are excellent through to the year 2018. The rapid growth in the elderly population creates a continuous demand for trained healthcare professionals. Hiring for these occupations continues at an alarming rate. Those who have a strong passion for helping people improve their lives can always consider choosing from a host of healthcare careers.

 

Given below are the top 10 careers in the healthcare industry -

 

Registered Nurse
One of the fastest growing occupations through to 2018 and a top healthcare career, the occupation of a registered nurse is an excellent career opportunity for aspiring candidates. Across the entire United States, the career is highly in demand. More than 580,000 new registered nurses' jobs will be created through to the year 2016. These healthcare professionals can find jobs at physicians' offices, home health care services, hospitals, nursing care facilities, employment services etc.

 

Home Health Aide
Becoming a home health aide is another top career options for aspiring candidates. There is a growing population of elderly people who are not capable of living on their own. Health aides work for these aged people as caregivers. Major work responsibilities of a home health aide is to administer medication to patients, check their health for vital signs and help them with basic daily activities. More than 380,000 new home health aides' jobs will be created by the year 2016.

 

Medical Assistant
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth for medical assistant jobs will be much faster than the average of all other occupations. There is a continuous demand for medical assistants in the United States. Job responsibilities of these professionals include handling both administrative and clinical tasks. They may perform their work in a variety of settings. Those who are formally trained and certified will have best employment opportunities. Around 148,000 new jobs will be created in this health care occupation by the year 2016.

 

Pharmacy Technician
Job duties of pharmacy technicians may vary depending on the state laws. The major role of technicians is to assist pharmacists. They are responsible for providing medication products to patients and advice them on the appropriate dosage. They also count tablets, label bottles and perform a number of administrative tasks depending on where they are employed. They perform their job under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. A round 91,000 new jobs will be created in this occupation by 2016.

 

Medical Secretary
Yet another top healthcare career is becoming a medical secretary. These professionals are responsible for performing a variety of administrative tasks. To perform their work efficiently, secretaries need to have a good understanding of medical procedures. Best job opportunities for medical secretaries will be available in hospitals and physician offices. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 13,000 new jobs will be created in this health care occupation.

 

Dental Assistant
Candidates who have a passion for working in the field of dentistry can consider a dental assistant's career. Job duties of these healthcare professionals include performing x-rays, sterilizing instruments and informing patients on how to take care of their teeth and gums. There are several schools offering dental assistant programs. Around 82,000 new jobs will be added in this field.

 

Healthcare Administrator
These healthcare professionals handle vast administrative responsibilities in the health care system. They are in great demand by the industry. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 43,000 new jobs in healthcare administration will be added by the year 2016.

 

Medical Records & Health Information Technician
A lot of documentation work goes on in the healthcare industry. These technicians have the responsibility of keeping documents including treatment plans, laboratory tests, x ray reports, patient histories etc. The job needs to be done with a lot of confidentiality. Medical record technician jobs are expected to grow faster than the average of all other occupations. Around 30,000 new jobs will be added in this occupation by the year 2016.

 

Physical Therapist
These specially trained health care professionals work with patients of a range of age groups. Their job duty is to provide therapeutic treatment to patients to make the latter stronger and more able bodied. The occupation is growing fast and aspiring candidates can choose this occupation to establish a profitable healthcare career. Around 47,000 new jobs will be added in this occupation by the year 2016.

 

EMT & Paramedic
Yet another growing career in healthcare is that of an emergency medical technician or a paramedic. These healthcare professionals are specially trained to handle emergency medical situations. They can perform their job duties in ambulances, hospitals, helicopters etc. The projected employment growth for EMT and paramedic jobs is faster than the average of all occupations. Around 39,000 new jobs will be added in this field of health care industry.

It is surprising to note that the current medical system is quite overburdened, as more than 100,000 Americans die annually due to medical providers' mistakes. Another surprising fact is that it has the crucial task of providing healthcare to around 47 million uninsured people. Under these circumstances, there is a growing demand for more and more health policy specialists. Healthcare reforms are being taken by the Congress and they need a large number of these professionals. Though this career happens to be very rewarding, it is one of the most challenging as well. If you plan to become a health policy specialist, you should be well informed about where to start, how to get appropriately trained and what career prospects that career offers.

 

Job Description
The job title is quite a broad one. The main role of a health policy specialist is to provide effective and workable solutions to community health and social problems. To come up with solutions, these healthcare professionals conduct researches, analyze and apply them appropriately. They work closely with policymakers and other professionals who work towards the common goal of working out solutions to health and social problems of the community.

 

While working as a health policy specialist, you will be preparing policy briefs and reports, public hearing testimonies, public hearing testimonies, meetings and conference presentations etc. A lot of writing for healthcare consumers is an important part of a health policy specialist's job responsibilities. Currently, the healthcare system faces a host of problems that need to be addressed in an effective manner. The healthcare being one of the most important agenda, the government is taking appropriate measures to resolve the issues that healthcare system faces.

 

While you take up the path of becoming a health policy specialist or a medical policy specialist, you can choose a specialty. For instance, you can also specialize to work as a health policy analyst. Whether it a government agency or a non-government agency, these professionals are quite much in demand. The best part of making a career in this field is that it brings you a lot of job satisfaction when you see how you have helped people improve their lives for the better.

 

Education & Training
Though you can kick start your career with a bachelor degree, a master's degree in Public Policy or Public Health is required to have a successful career as a health policy specialist. Since the job description of these professionals includes resolving a wide range of healthcare policy issues, candidates need to have strong knowledge about medicine, accounting, economics, management, politics etc. Besides possessing a relevant degree, health policy specialists should also possess some other essential skills including productivity, accuracy, quality and the capability to provide utmost customer satisfaction.

 

Career Prospects
The job prospect for health policy specialists is quite strong. Whether it is the healthcare industry, government agencies or non-profit organizations, these professionals are in great demand all over. With growing number of organizations getting involved in the policy making process, the need for these professionals also arises immensely. Healthcare is huge sector and it is in constant demand of these professionals who can offer appropriate solutions to improve the healthcare system.

 

Annual Salary
It is quite a profitable career, whether you are employed in the government sector or work in the private sector. The salary of these specialists/ analysts varies greatly depending on the size of the employer and the years of experience they carry. Those who work for non-profit community based organizations earn an annual salary ranging between $40,000 and $50,000. If you are employed in the private sector, you may earn an annual salary up to $60,000 or more.