Healthcare Job Overview and Description

There are a wide range of occupations available in the healthcare sector. As a large part of our population ages, the demand for healthcare services is greatly increasing, leading to a projected growth of 18 percent over the next few years. This sector’s job growth has outpaced nearly every other major sector in the economy in 2018.


What are Healthcare jobs?

Most healthcare jobs are involved with the treatment and care of patients. From there, the types of duties and tasks a healthcare worker must perform will vary depending on the position. See below for list of positions and their roles.


Healthcare Job Overview

Most jobs take place in a hospital, doctor’s office or clinic setting. Most work is full-time; many positions require that a healthcare worker work long, irregular, and overnight hours. They may also have to be on call. Physicians and doctors may have to travel between hospitals and doctor’s offices.

Other positions, such as home health and personal care aides often care for patients in their own home or at a nursing home facility.


What are the different types of Healthcare jobs?

  • Physicians and Surgeons. Examine patients to diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. Operate on patients to treat injuries, diseases, and deformities.
  • Home Health Aides and Personal Health Aides. Assist people with disabilities, chronic illness, or cognitive impairment by assisting in their daily living activities.
  • EMTs and Paramedics. Care for the sick or injured in an emergency setting. Respond to emergency calls and transport patients to medical facilities.
  • Physician Assistants. Examine, diagnose, and treat patients. Often practice medicine in teams, along with other healthcare workers.
  • Surgical Technologists. Assist in surgical operations. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors during surgeries.
  • Radiation Therapists. Administer radiation treatment to treat cancer and other diseases.
  • Medical Assistants. Complete administrative and clinical tasks.

What type of education do you need for a job in Healthcare?

The educational requirements needed to enter the field depends on the job and specialization. Most jobs will require at least a Bachelor of Science in a subject related to their chosen profession. Some jobs may require postsecondary educations through a college, university, or vocational school.

Most Physicians and surgeons will need at least a bachelors to apply to medical school. Since medical school is competitive, most applicants need to submit transcripts, scores from their MCAT, and letters of recommendation. Medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 to 8 years. After medical school, almost all graduates enter a residency program in their specialty which usually takes place in a hospital and lasts 3 to 7 years, depending on their specialty.


What is a typical salary for Healthcare jobs?

The median annual wage for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (registered nurses., physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists) is around $67,770.

The median annual wage for healthcare support professionals (home aides, occupational therapy assistants, and medical transcriptionists) is around $28,710.


What are the job requirements for Healthcare jobs?

Most healthcare practitioners and workers in technical occupations will require some sort of license and/or registration in order to practice in their chosen state. For some occupations, applicants must graduate from an accredited school and complete residency training in their specialty.

As many healthcare workers will be interacting with patients and their family, sometimes in stressful and traumatizing situations, and will encounter patients who are seriously ill and suffering, it is important that healthcare professionals should be compassionate and understanding. Being able to react and make decisions in an emergency is also important for those working close to patients.


Where can you find a Healthcare job listing?

You can search for a healthcare job listing through websites like CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed, SimplyHired, and JobsInEachState.com. You can also do a general web search for your area for healthcare jobs.

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