Consider Health Care Jobs when the Economy is Bad

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health care will generate 3 million new jobs between now and 2016, which is more than any other industry. This is important information in today's tough economic times when people are not only losing jobs, but many are looking at new employment avenues and retraining. Here's a look at just two jobs in health care that I'm personally familiar with; both continue to be in demand even as the economy turns sour.

Home Health Aide. There's no better place than home for people who have physically challenging needs that can be adequately met with the assistance of a home health aide. From personal experience, I can attest to how meaningful this job can be. A home health aide who cares for and provides personal care and related assistance to individuals in my community makes it possible for her clients to live in their own homes. Home health aides typically help their clients with everything from getting out of bed, bathing and dressing to cleaning house, doing laundry and shopping. Each situation is different, but the range of assistance to a homebound person can be extensive and involve a variety of situations. Many of those receiving assistance from a home health aide are elderly, but others are terminally ill, handicapped, disabled or recovering from illness or injury.

A home health aide will have certification (CNA training) and/or an associate's degree in a related field. Although the training and requirements vary from state to state, most CNA certification requires completion of at least 300 hours of classroom and practical training. Unfortunately - and despite the importance of this work - home health aides are not particularly well-paid. In my state of Minnesota, a home health aide in Minneapolis can expect an annual salary of between $26,000 and $30,000, depending on training and experience. Nonetheless, the rewards that come with providing this service to those in need are great.

Health Care Information or Medical Records Technician. If you like the idea of a job in health care, but would prefer not to work in direct patient care, consider a job as a health care technician. Simply put, these technicians assemble and keep patient records. A patient's medical records contain everything from doctor notes and diagnoses to patient health complaints and observations to medical and surgical treatment to intervention outcomes and recommendations for future care. An accurate medical history, x-ray and lab reports and a variety of forms and other health information are also contained in a patient's chart or medical records file. The technicians in our local hospital are responsible for assembling and maintaining these records - accurately and completely - as well as communicating with physicians and other medical personnel. The job requires attention to detail, in addition to familiarity with medical terminology and good communication skills.

Our health care technicians both have associate's degrees in health care management. Depending on education, experience and job location, health care technicians in Minnesota can expect to be paid in a range from $25,000 to $35,000 per year.

I've covered just two health care jobs that are worth exploring. There are many, many more, which makes health care a worthwhile consideration for anyone looking to either change jobs or train for a new job direction.

Resource:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm