13 November 2009

Health care has added more than 500,000 jobs since the start of the recession…

The healthcare support industry (such as physical therapists, physical therapists assistants, medical social workers, and home health aides) will experience a 48% growth…

Jobs in inpatient and outpatient settings and nurse care facilities will be in high demand…

Health care is forecasted to remain a key source of job growth, especially in medical records and health information technicians, registered nurses, clinical laboratory technicians, and physical therapists…

Health care dominates as the fastest growing field…

...All good news for those interested in a health care career!

How can you prepare for tomorrow’s jobs?

According to the July 2009 report Preparing the Workers of Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow, “well-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs…Occupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to grow much faster than those with lower education requirements. [The] fastest growth [will be] among occupations that require an associate’s degree or post-secondary vocational award.”

A highly-skilled, well-trained, and educated workforce will ensure job security

The ability to think critically and solve problems will be valuable skills in the workforce. Highly-skilled workers will be able to perform complex and ever-changing tasks.

Here are some of the skills employers will look for:

• Analytical – an understanding of mathematics;
• Interactive skills – effective communication and the ability to work well with others;
• Non-cognitive skills – requiring greater self-awareness, self-monitoring and self-control;
• Professionalism/work ethic – teamwork/collaboration, oral communication, and critical thinking/problem solving;
• Fundamentals – basic skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

To develop these skills, you will need a post-secondary education to provide the training required for good, high-paying jobs. The report notes that this expected growth does not consider the impact of healthcare reform. Although spending will be minimized as efficiency improves, expansion of health coverage for newly insured patients will lead to an increased demand for workers including physicians, non-physician clinicians, health care support workers, and nurses.

Plan on furthering your education beyond high school and explore a health career

EHC encourages you to go as far as you can with your education. The more instruction you obtain the better chance you have of getting and retaining a job. If healthcare is right for you, your future will be even more secure.