Health Careers That Are Not Going Away

No matter how bad the economy gets or how much people have to tighten their belts, they will always need health care. For that reason, the demand for qualified, competent workers in many health related fields has remained constant, despite recent dips in the economy. If you are interested in a health related field and would like the peace of mind of knowing that your services are likely to be in demand indefinitely, consider some of the careers below.

Nurse

Nurses have been a staple in the medical field since the early days of its development. Nurses perform a variety of tasks, from measuring basic vital signs of patients to providing one-on-one care to disabled or elderly individuals. The specific job requirements will vary greatly depending on where you are employed. Nurses are key players at virtually every health care facility, including but not limited to hospitals, doctors’ offices, and assisted living facilities.

Depending on your interests, you can find a nursing job that is perfect for you. If you love children, you can work with a pediatrician. If you are great at comforting and empathizing, you may consider a position at a terminal case facility or in a cancer ward. You could also choose to become a private nurse and build a strong, lasting relationship with a single or a few patients.

There are a variety of different college degrees that those hoping to enter the nursing field can pursue. CNA classes will prepare you for the most basic tasks, and may only take two to four months to complete. There are also associate, bachelors, and even higher degrees that nurses can earn. Obviously, the higher your level of education, the more functions you will be able to serve and the greater the range of opportunities available to you will be.

Pharmacy Technicians

With great advancements in pharmaceuticals comes an even greater need for qualified professionals to dispense medications properly. Many people rely on one or more medications, and only licensed pharmacists and pharmacy techs can fill their prescriptions. Pharmacy techs are basically assistants to pharmacists; though they cannot answer patient questions about prescriptions, they can label bottles, measure/count medications, and handle administrative tasks. There are various degree programs, and many employers also offer on-the-job training to complement the schooling you have completed.

Dental Assistant

Dental assistants are the most consistently in-demand professionals in the dental field. They are able to perform many tasks, including sterilizing instruments, taking x-rays, and interacting with patients about proper dental hygiene. Dentists are always in need of reliable assistants, and so this is a choice with great job security. One great perk of this position is that you generally only need a two-year associate’s degree to qualify for it. Many community colleges and technical schools offer dental assistant programs for a much lower cost than larger universities, and with the position in such high demand, employers are generally not picky about where a person got their degree.

Medical Records Technicians

If you prefer the administrative side of medicine to regular patient interaction, this is an optimal choice for you. Regardless of which fields of medicines grow and decline, records technicians will always be essential to the organization of the health care industry. As a medical records technician, you would be in charge of the millions of documents produced by medical professionals, from detailed patient histories to x-rays, referrals, and more.

The level of education required will depend on your employer. Some may accept a simple training certification from a local technical school; others may require a two or four year degree. It is a great fall-back or part-time job as well for those who may want to pursue other interests and still make a living.

Author Bio

Sarah Daren is a writer who creates articles that related to the field of health. In this article, she explains a few careers in demand and aims to encourage further study with a Radiology Degree Online.