Healthcare Careers Set To Dominate in The Coming Years

Image Source: National Cancer Institute 

The face of healthcare has been radically changing over the last decade. With the evolution of technology and the dominance of digital solutions, the medical field has started shifting to keep up with the changes. However, the shift has been surprisingly slower than in most other industries. Practices and practitioners have been slow to take advantage of the growth of online and digital solutions, with traditional processes still dominating the way the industry is run. 

However, this has been accelerated in the last two years, and particularly now in 2020, with the spread of the global pandemic, COVID-19. The virus has forced the medical industry to start taking on some critical changes and has pushed for rapid adjustments to various branches of the field. 

Studies show that the health tech industry, in particular, will grow to around $280 billion next year and keep up a 15% growth rate until around 2022. By 2024, it is estimated that there will be a demand for approximately 500,000 more workers in the field, and it will continue to be the largest employing field in the US. 

With this growth in the industry, and evolution of practices, comes a plethora of new and unique job roles and openings within the industry. Roles that have previously not dominated the healthcare field will become more and more prevalent, and the demand for more workers in the sector will rise. 

We thought we’d take a more detailed look at some of them. 

Medical and Health Service Managers

A medical or health service manager is in place in the health facility to direct, plan and coordinate health services. In essence, they are responsible for the overall management of a practice. They are in place to ensure that the practice stays on top of any changes in the industry and facilitates the smooth running of the day-to-day business in the practice. 

Medical coding and billing is a rapidly growing role in this field. These workers are crucial as they balance the knowledge of medical terms and procedures in order for the bills to be accurate for the hospital. 

Education Needed

Although a Bachelor’s Degree is not absolutely necessary for this role, it can be the stepping stone you’d need to land the job. There are a number of effective online medical billing and coding programs that will provide you with the skillset to fulfill the role. You no longer have to sacrifice your time or give up your current job in order to attend them. All you have to do is log into your computer and start learning.

Expected Salary 

$65,00 per year 

Job Outlook and Expected Increase in Demand

It is expected that the field will grow by 32% in the next five years. 

Home Health Aides

This particular role centers around the at-home assistance of elderly patients, as well as patients with physical or cognitive disabilities. It can be either full-time, live-in care or day work to assist the patient to continue with day-to-day tasks of daily life. In most instances, they provide basic medical care and can administer and supervise medication intake. 

Education Needed

There is no formal education needed for the position, however, it is encouraged that the aid goes through basic life-saving and medical emergency training. 

Expected Salary 

$23,130 per year 

Job Outlook and Expected Increase in Demand

It is expected that the field will grow by 41% till 2026. 

Image Source: National Cancer Institute 

Physician Assistants

Similar to doctors, physician assistants can diagnose and treat patients, however, they need to be under a physician’s supervision at all times. They will also need to coordinate with other physician assistants as well as nursing staff and healthcare professionals for total accountability. The role has evolved as more and more patients look for out-of-hospital care, as well as because of the drop in the number of physicians available in hospitals. 

Education Needed

Physician Assistants will need a Masters Degree and a professional license to practice. 

Expected Salary 

$104,000 per year 

Job Outlook and Expected Increase in Demand

It is expected that the field will grow by 37% by 2026.

Nurse Anesthetists, Midwives and Nurse Practitioners

These are a group of specialized nurses who are considered advanced nurses. Should you already be a nurse, you have the option of pivoting your career by completing your Master of Science in Nursing and choosing a specialty to focus on. Nursing Practitioners, in particular, are able to provide advanced care to patients. They can undertake the diagnosing and treating of various illnesses, are allowed to prescribe medication, and implement treatment practices. 

Nursing Anesthetists provide care for patients undergoing anesthesia, while midwives specialize in childbirth and infancy. Nurse practitioners specialize in a full range of ages from infants to the elderly in a primary care capacity.    

Education Needed

In order to fall into this category, advanced practice registered nurses need to further their careers with a Master’s Degree in their area of specialization. They will also require a professional license and to pass a national certification exam.

Expected Salary 

$65,00 per year 

Job Outlook and Expected Increase in Demand

Nursing practitioners actually represent the second-fastest-growing occupation in the United States and will grow 31% year on year until 2026.

Physical Therapists and Assistants

This role focuses on patients who have injuries or health conditions that hinder their ability to move and perform regular functions in their day-to-day lives. PTs and PT assistants will usually provide hands-on therapy for patients as well as observe and document patient progress in the duration of the treatment. They will also map out and implement treatment plans for the patient. The PT assistant will be responsible for all of these functions too, but will just be under the supervision of a physical therapist. Both professions will be found in health practitioner offices or in hospitals.

Education Needed

Physical therapists will need an associate’s degree from an accredited program to be recognized, as well as be licensed or certified. Physical therapist assistants and aides mostly have a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training when they are working.

Expected Salary 

$46,920 per year

Job Outlook and Expected Increase in Demand

An increase of 30% over the next five years.

Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

Similar to physical therapists, occupational therapists provide treatment and procedures to help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain everyday skills needed for work and life after a trauma. 

They are responsible for developing treatment plans, documenting the progress of the patients, and carrying out support functions, and directing treatment. Aides and assistants do differ in their roles. OT assistants mostly provide therapy to patients, while the aides typically perform support activities.

Education Needed

Occupational therapy assistants need to earn an associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. They will also need to be licensed. The aides on the other hand, only typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.

Expected Salary 

$56,690 per year

Job Outlook and Expected Increase in Demand

An increase of 28% over the next five years.

Wrapping Up 

As mentioned, patients are starting to move more and more away from the traditional healthcare practices that have been dominating the industry for years. They are rather opting for more affordable, accessible, and reliable options that provide them with swifter and more efficient services. This movement has sprung the need for evolution and birth of new roles. This will most certainly be a growing trend for the next five years.