Career

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Healthiest Job Outlook: No Recession in Health Care

by Kip Parent, Keirsey.com


As the large crop of Baby Boomers age, the need for health workers has increased. The need is not only found in the United States, but in countries throughout the world. As a result, the health-care field keeps adding jobs.

"This industry has added 368,000 jobs over the past 12 months," the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in August 2008. "In July [2008], there were job gains of 21,000 in ambulatory health care services and 10,000 in hospitals."

The Opportunities Are Vast

Registered nurses were among the areas with the highest employment gains in 2007, while physician specialists and dentist specialists were among the highest paid. In the 2008-2009 Bureau of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, health care has three separate listings:

* Professional: Health Diagnosing and Treating -- 17 occupations
* Professional: Health Technologists and Technicians -- 15 occupations
* Service: Health-care Support -- 8 occupations

While most people are aware of the critical need for primary care physicians, physician assistants and nursing staff, many do not realize the shortage in the allied health professionals such as respiratory care practitioners, medical transcriptionists, radiographers and lab technicians. Those with the highest projected need include physical therapist assistants, dental hygienists, and pharmacy technicians. Some health-care providers are working with two-year colleges to provide needed clinical training.

Mid-career workers who have lost their jobs due to downsizing are taking training to enter these fields where demand is high. And people who worked in health-care in another country are getting certification in the United States to fill the need.

Are You a Good Fit?

According to author and career counselor Alice Fairhurst, a personality assessment -- such as the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (free at keirsey.com) or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator -- can help guide a person into which of the careers might be most satisfying.

* Guardians (SJ's) like the stability and service aspect of health care. The STJ's prefer technical fields, such as dentist, physician, pharmacist, or lab technologist. The SFJ's prefer people contact fields, such as family physician, nurse, dental assistant or medical secretary.
* Artisans (SP's) like action and change of pace. The STP's often are found as surgeons, emergency care workers, or medical technicians. The SFP's may be nurses, radiology technologists, medical social workers, or massage therapists.
* Idealists (NF's) want to improve the future for others. The NFJ's may teach or administer in health settings or counsel others. The NFP's are drawn to rehabilitation, speech pathology, and social work.
* Rationals (NT's) are the most fascinated with pure science. The NTJ's are drawn to administration, scientific analysis, or biomedical engineering. The NTP's seek the newest advances in any field and will promote and/or research new ideas.

If you're new to the workforce, or looking to make a change, the opportunities in health care are worth investigating. There are many different careers offering a fit for all personality types -- learning more about your own personality type is a good place to start.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Employment

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