Education Requirements of the Fastest Growing Jobs in Healthcare

It’s no secret that healthcare is a rapidly growing field. With growth spurred by an aging baby boomer population and an increasing demand for services, the industry is poised for significant growth over the next 10 years. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 10 out of the 20 fastest growing jobs are in the healthcare industry.

Fastest growing medical careers

The BLS projects that these 20 fields will experience the greatest amount of growth between 2010 and 2020. Healthcare careers are in bold.

1. Personal Care Aides

2. Home Health Aides

3. Biomedical Engineers

Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Helpers--Carpenters
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

4. Physical Therapist Assistants

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

5. Meeting, Convention and Event Planners

6. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

7. Occupational Therapy Assistants

8. Physical Therapist Aides

9. Glaziers

10. Interpreters and Translators

16. Medical Secretaries

11. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

12. Marriage and Family Therapists

13. Brickmasons and Blockmasons

14. Physical Therapists

For healthcare professionals considering a career change or students considering healthcare career options in which to specialize, here are the education requirements of several of the fastest growing jobs in healthcare.

Personal care aides and home health aides

According to the BLS, the number of personal care aide jobs will grow by 70.5 percent from 2010 to 2020, and the number of home health aide jobs will grow by 69.4 percent in the same timeframe. People who work in these fields assist people with disabilities, the elderly or individuals with serious illnesses with daily living activities in an individual’s home or at an assisted care facility.

Education requirements for these careers are minimal; generally aides receive on-the-job training. While a high school diploma is generally not required, most aides earn one prior to employment. Many states require programs that employ personal care aides to require these professionals to take a competency exam or receive state certification. Additional training may be required on a state-to-state basis.

Physical therapists, assistants and aides

The BLS estimates that the number of physical therapists in the U.S. workforce will grow by 39 percent from 2010 to 2020, and that the number of assistants will grow by 45.7 percent and aides by 43.1 percent in the same timeframe. While physical therapists, assistants and aides all work to provide treatment to patients in recovery from illnesses, roles vary based on the career path. While physical therapists diagnose problems, direct treatments and evaluate progress, assistants help to administer treatments and aides take on clerical and support roles.

Physical therapists are required to earn a postgraduate degree in physical therapy, and many go on to complete a residency program following graduation. Physical therapists are required to earn state licensure in most states, and many states require these professionals to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licensure.

Most states require physical therapist assistants to earn an associate’s degree from an accredited program and to pass a national licensure exam. Some states require these professionals to also pass a state licensure exam. Generally, physical therapist assistants are required to seek continuing education opportunities on an ongoing basis.

Physical therapist aides generally need to have a high school diploma, and receive on-the-job training. Aides aren’t required to be licensed.

Occupational therapy assistants

According to the BLS, the number of jobs available to occupational therapy assistants will grow by 43.3 percent from 2010 to 2020. Working under the direction of occupational therapists, assistants help patients with disabilities, injuries or illnesses regain and develop their skills to be able to participate in everyday activities.

Occupational therapy assistants are required to earn an associate’s degree from an accredited program, and, in most states, pass a licensure exam. Some states require these professionals to earn continuing education credits.

Healthcare certification and the fastest growing medical careers

Although requirements for each of the fastest growing jobs in healthcare may vary, training in basic life support (BLS), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) use and first aid may be useful due to the medical needs of the population with whom aides work. Health Ed Solutions (HES) offers these courses and additional certifications in convenient online formats.

Source: http://www.bls.gov