Why the Need for Medical Jobs is Expected to Grow

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that employment in healthcare occupations will grow 15 percent by 2019, adding 2.4 million new jobs. That’s much faster than the average growth rate in other industries.

So, why the explosive growth? Demographic changes are largely responsible, as Baby Boomers have had an outsized presence compared to other generations until very recently. Many older medical workers are retiring, but medical needs are ramping up due to the aging U.S. population. Baby Boomers are expected to live longer than previous generations and have higher demands for healthcare, which will continue to shape the market.

And while the field will need new doctors, surgeons, and registered nurses, those aren’t the only skilled laborers in demand.

Not All Medical Professions Require Advanced Degrees

Some medical jobs don’t require graduate degrees — in fact, some don’t even require bachelor degrees. While nearly all healthcare careers require training, the field desperately needs people in support roles.

Medical professions that don’t require advanced degrees include:

• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses- Known in medical fields as LPNs and LVNs, these professionals provide basic nursing care while being supervised by physicians and registered nurses (RNs). They must be licensed, and in most states, completing an LPN/LVN course takes about one year.
• Medical Assistants- These professionals handle clinical and administrative tasks for doctors and nurses. Most medical assistants have a certification, but many jobs don’t require any college degree.
• Surgical Technologists- Technologists help surgeons by transporting patients, arranging equipment, and preparing the operating room. Most have certifications and/or associate’s degrees.
• Health Information Technicians- These professionals organize and manage data. Many work in offices — some even work from home. Some positions require an associate’s degree and most require certification.
• Pharmacy Technicians- Pharmacy techs help pharmacists measure and dispense medications. They may work in hospitals, drug stores, grocery stores, or general stores. Pharmacy techs usually need to pass an examination or pass a training program, but the career rarely requires a degree.

This certainly isn’t a complete list. The healthcare industry needs skilled, dedicated workers at every level, including people who don’t work directly with patients (for instance, medical coders, marketing managers, and equipment technicians) and people who work with a single patient at a time (home health aides).

What Can People Earn in Medical Professions?

As with most other fields, pay varies depending on experience, location, and other factors, but most medical professions pay relatively well compared to national averages. As demand grows for skilled professionals, medical career salaries might also increase.

Here’s the 2019 median pay for several healthcare careers, per the BLS:

• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses - $47,480.
• Medical Assistants - $34,800.
• Surgical Technologists - $48,300.
• Health Information Technicians - $42,630.
• Pharmacy Technicians - $33,950.

In addition to great pay, these jobs have other perks: Many offer flexible schedules, excellent health insurance, travel opportunities, and dependable job security. Perhaps most importantly, the work is meaningful — if you work in a medical field, you can help people in a real, measurable way.

You might also be able to choose an area of specialization. For instance, if you’re interested in mental health or if you’d rather work in a private clinic, you can start your career working towards those goals.

Finding Training Programs for Medical Jobs

If you’re interested in medicine, online research can help you jumpstart your employment. Some training programs require only a few months or weeks of commitment, and many are now available online, which can make scheduling much easier. To get started, it’s important to research training programs and compare them carefully. Make sure that they’ll provide you with an appropriate certification or license for the state where you want to work. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option — and try not to make a decision without comparing several different programs. Trained medical professionals can enjoy tremendous, fulfilling careers, but careful research is essential for starting down this path.