Three Hot Areas in the Healthcare Field

Michele Warg
Posted by in Healthcare


The healthcare industry continues to grow at an astonishing rate. While some people might say the only things you can count on in life are death and taxes, you can usually count on catching the flu or getting sick in some way, at some point. As long as humans continue to get ill or have accidents, the need for doctors and nurses will exist, but some new healthcare jobs do not involve working with sick patients.

 

Jennifer Smith points out the need for lawyers familiar with the Affordable Care Act. Signed into law by President Barrack Obama, this act requires that all U.S. residents carry some form of health insurance and that insurance companies offer coverage even to those with preexisting conditions who were previously denied in the past. The law goes into effect in 2014, and law firms need lawyers capable of understanding the intricacies of that law. While many people don't think about healthcare jobs outside the medical industry, the need for healthcare lawyers and professional advisors will continue growing as patients and insurance companies need help understanding the law.

 

The need for nurses with advanced degrees has also risen in recent years. In the past, doctors and hospitals hired nurses with two-year degrees, but more of those employers now want nurses with four-year degrees. More than 20,000 new healthcare jobs appeared in November 2012 alone, and a large number of those positions were for nurses. In some communities, employers look for travel nurses or traveling nurses. These nurses make a higher income than traditional nurses because they can work at a variety of offices, hospitals, and other medical settings, and many of these nurses fill in when other workers are sick or cannot work.

 

The city of Binghamton once had a large number of manufacturing jobs, but the city now has more healthcare jobs than jobs in any other industry. What makes that so interesting is that many employers now need workers with manufacturing backgrounds. The healthcare industry must change as technology changes, and healthcare manufacturing is a growing field. Healthcare manufacturing is responsible for creating hearing aids, specialized surgical equipment, and other tools and equipment that both patients and doctors use. The need for workers with scientific, engineering, manufacturing, or medical backgrounds will surely rise as these jobs become more common.

 

If you think that healthcare jobs still involve a degree in nursing, surgery, or another medical field, you haven't noticed the changes in the last few years. While the need for nurses keeps growing, employers also look for those capable of manufacturing new parts and equipment and those with an understanding of the Affordable Care Act. As the medical field keeps changing, healthcare jobs will keep changing too.

 

(Photo courtesy of artur84 / freedigitalphotos.net) 

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  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Wow! What a great discussion! With the new changes in the healthcare industry, there are so many new options for those who want to change careers. Laurie, I don't think you need to worry about your job being phased out, in fact, as more and more people are able to afford health insurance coverage or who are being covered through programs for low income families, medical offices will have a larger volume of pre certifications. These changes can only mean good things for the healthcare industry.
  • Laurie T
    Laurie T
    I find this article to be so true. My speciality is registration,  insurance verification and pre-cert. Wondering will these jobs be faced out?
  • GIRLDINE R
    GIRLDINE R
    Why are LPN's placed at the end of the employment list, even with their experience of many years? As an older person, I see where these new RNs saunter in on the units and we, LPNs are thrown in the garbage with little or no explanation or falsely accused of what ever. Is there a law prohibiting these acts, or it  is the norm of the new nursing laws, the practice act?
  •  Versia M. D
    Versia M. D
    I noticed the need  and would like to see LPNS advance in the ranks and given credit for years of service and their place in the work field. IN my state most LPNS are capped at 17-18$ per hour.
  • Aissatou N
    Aissatou N
    Well said, I definitely agree with this article. I hope people like us in the pharmaceutical industry will see the same shift. Can't wait to find an analytical chemist opportunity.
  •  Richard G
    Richard G
    Great article-it gave me a different perspective on the healthcare field. I am a business major.
  • Brenda L
    Brenda L
    As an LPN I do see the healthcare field changing. Employers are demanding more and I need to update my skills or seek another profession as I am having problems finding a job at this time.  I am also 60 yrs. of age but would like to work another 10 years.
  • Trish W
    Trish W
    I agree!  But like" "NoahW" I graduated with an Associates in December (2012) and just landed a job--took 6 months!  Changed my resume a few times might have done it or the time of year maybe....
  •  Sarah B
    Sarah B
    There is some truth to this article. I have a two year degree in HIM and I can not find a job anywhere in the area where I live. If I do find a position the pay is not much more than minimum wage.
  • Bevie S
    Bevie S
    I found this article interesting and very true. As a RN with over 30 years of experience in the clinical setting, (hospital, home health) I came to an empasse in my life where I was older and desired a different change. I walked out on faith, took a health information course received a certificate, and have embarked on a brand new career path. I now work as a quality specialist auditing electronic medical records, and also worked on projects for computerized provider order entry for upgrades in Epic. This has open all kinds of doors of knowledge. I'll soon be returning to school so I can become a nurse consultant. It has been an interesting journey.
  • Peggy S
    Peggy S
    I'm a writer and MBA, and have been in healthcare doing policy and training with managed care expertise for 15 years, so don't forget about all the writers, trainers, marketers, policy analysts and health/pharmaco economists out there. It's another growing component of the healthcare job market.
  • Maria M
    Maria M
    This article is very interesting, and specially for me because my experience since I've live in the EEUU has been focused on the assembly area and I'm in my fifth (last) year of  health care studies. I would like to know how I could enroll in health care manufacturing.
  • Karen L
    Karen L
    I think all kinds  nurses will always be needed. I'm a  CNA-HHA and my job is one that will never end
  • Mark C
    Mark C
    I disagree with your portrayl of nurses with advanced degrees, I think phrasing it as nurses with specialized training would be more appropriate.This is running directly parallel with what has been happening for doctors, as an increasing number of med students are opting for specialities thus creating an on coming crisis as there are already projected shortages for general practitioners.The lack of congressional/political regulation of the medical industry, and the ever increasing battles between the insurance lobby and the AMA lobby for costs has tied the country's entire health care system into a knot that is crashing. In addition, the lack of backbone in the media to attack the whole situation and point fingers directly is adding another poisoning element.Telling the direct and whole truth has become the major contributing factoe in a host of the country's problems.
  • Keith M
    Keith M
    I just want to work..I have experience why am I being left out??
  • Alan M
    Alan M
    Intere4sting, and true.
  • Rita L
    Rita L
    When you say manufacturing new parts, are you speaking about working on an assembly-line or something of this nature?  This article states that there is a need for scientific, engineering, manufacturing or medical backgrounds.  Do these individuals need experience in these areas or are they trained?
  • Seabron P
    Seabron P
    I'm excited that fitness trainers are becoming part of the trend to help with prevention of health risks and the diseases that those risks relate too.Seabron P
  • Noah W
    Noah W
    I have had my RMA cert for over a year and I have 4+ years of experience working in the medical field. I graduated with honors and have been looking for work in the field for 8 months and can't land an interview. The field is growing by as much as people are saying it is...where are the interviews?
  •  Teresa M
    Teresa M
    I am an older nurse and i am having trouble getting a job . I have 28 years experience any ideas for me? hospitals dont want to pay me for my experience . and frankly i am sick of hospitals have dealt with them for 28 years tired of their games.what can I do?? ANY IDEAS LET ME KNOW
  • Juanita O
    Juanita O
    Great news! I am a 63 yr old RN, BSN with no desire to do "nursing" but rather something that lets me use my education and experience (15 yrs in medical equipment sales). Will look forward to this shift as I wind down to retirement.
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