TIPS FOR A “HEALTHY” CAREER CHOICE

THE BUREAU OF LABOR INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers helpful information for students and professionals researching nearly any career field. For those interested in starting or advancing a career in healthcare, you’re going to be happy with what the data tells us. In some of our prior blogs, we’ve provide BLS data that relates to CAHE programs or healthcare industry occupations. As the end of 2017 approaches, we’ve decided to pull everything together for those making career plans for the upcoming year. To simplify your research process, this article compares employment data across the healthcare professions for which CAHE offers training and certification.

HOW’S THE JOB OUTLOOK?

It’s difficult to make a bad career choice in the healthcare industry.

• The population is aging and living longer, which continues to increase the need for professionals in healthcare fields that treat geriatric patients.
• The elderly population will require sophisticated treatments for conditions such as heart disease and cancer, and healthcare facilities will require employees with the knowledge to provide this care.
• Technology continues to evolve in the healthcare field. Office equipment, such as electronic medical record (EMR) software, as well as imaging, testing, and treatment equipment are skills that are needed by healthcare practitioners.

Here’s the BLS projected change in employment from 2016 to 2026:

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE?

There is an ongoing need for qualified healthcare professionals across the United States, whether you prefer to live in a big city or rural country. Although logic dictates that it’s easier to get a job in a more highly populated area, you will have the opportunity for a successful career wherever you choose to live. According to BLS data, the highest employment states for the healthcare careers listed in the job outlook section are: New York, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Florida.

HOW MUCH EDUCATION DO YOU NEED?

There are considerations to make when planning your healthcare education. In most states, a certification in the respective field is required to qualify for employment in the field. Generally, graduates qualify for the respective certification exams upon successful completion of an accredited program/ institution. Center for Allied Health Education (CAHE- Brooklyn, NY) is institutionally accredited and simultaneously holds accreditation for each program.

No post-secondary education or degree is required for employment in the fields of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant, EMT or Paramedic.

An associate degree or above is required for entry-level jobs as Radiation Therapists or Radiologic Technologists (X-ray techs). Applicants seeking admissions to CAHE’s Radiography Program are able to obtain a degree while in the program through an affiliated college if they have not previously acquired a degree (in any field) from a regionally accredited institution.

WHICH HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY MOST APPEALS TO YOU?

Healthcare employees work in a variety of industry settings. If you have a facility-type preference, consider these top industries:

Hospitals: all the careers discussed in this article are employed by either general medical or surgical hospitals.

Physician Offices: Medical assistants commonly work in physician practices and health practitioner offices. Technologists such as sonographers, radiation therapists, and surgical technologists also work with medical practices.

Medical and diagnostic laboratories: careers such as the technologist mentioned above that focus on imaging, testing, and treatments may also work in lab facilities.

Here are a few different workplace opportunities that might spark your interest:

• If you don’t like being cooped up in an office or even a hospital, consider and EMT paramedic career.
• Nursing home and assisted living facilities have a need for sonographers and medical assistants.
• Surgical Technologists and medical assistants have high levels of employment in dental offices.

The BLS data provides industry information by level of employment, concentration of employment, and top paying industries for each occupation.

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I MAKE?

Although it shouldn’t be your only consideration, the reality is we all want to make a comfortable living. Here’s some data provided by BLS that shows wage and then compares it to Metro New York. You can look at the BLS page for your career choice to see additional salary information.

For further Bureau of Labor Statistics information, search for the career that interests you at www.bls.gov.