Why Choose a Medical Career?

If you are considering joining the health care industry then we want to help you make the right decision. Our web site was created to help you explore your options by answering some of the important questions as they apply to each career path:

  • What are my career choices and how much will I earn?
  • What kind of education do I need to pursue?
  • Will I need to become certified or licensed?
  • What schools do offer an educational program for my career choice?
  • What are my job prospects after I graduate?

Health care workers are experts at combining medical technology with the human touch to provide care twenty four hours, seven days a week, ensuring the medical needs of their clients are addressed in a professional and efficient manner. As you explore the many different career options in the health care field, you should keep in mind the following important facts outlined by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics:

  • the health care sector has been the largest industry since 2006, and has provided fourteen million jobs in the United States
  • seven of the twenty fastest growing occupations are related to the health care sector
  • over three million new jobs will be created in the health care field between 2006 and 2016
  • most health care positions require less than four years of college education

It is only natural to wonder what are your choices in term of the working environment once you do become employed in the health care sector. Your options are numerous and no matter what career path you choose you will have endless opportunities to find your niche. The health care industry includes a wide array of establishments ranging from small private practices to large inner-city hospitals. The following are some of the facilities which employ health care workers: physician offices, home health care providers, offices of dentists, outpatient care centers, medical and diagnostic laboratories, medical and surgical hospitals, psychiatric and substance abuse centers, nursing care facilities, community care facilities for senior citizens, long-term care settings, rehabilitation centers.

Those employed in the health care sector may or may not provide clinical services, depending on which career path they choose to follow. Some health care workers provide clinical services such as nurses, dentists, and physical therapists, while others are employed in training and administrative occupations. If you are seeking a professional occupation, such as physician, social worker, or physical therapist, be prepared to devote approximately four years of specialized education in order to achieve your career dreams.

Other fast growing occupations in health care require less education and training. These include medical records and health information technicians as well as dental hygienists. If you are considering one of these careers, then you need to enroll and graduate from a specialized training program lasting from one to two years.

For some individuals a two-year formal education is out of the question, and there are still plenty of health care occupations which employ workers with minimal education and training. A few examples to consider are careers as a nurse aide, home health aide, dental assistant, medical assistant, and personal care aide. You may choose to start working in the medical field as a nurse aide and later, with additional training and education, become a nurse or a different health care provider.

No matter which career path you choose in the health care field, your job will yield a large number of benefits. Some of the most commonly listed benefits by health care workers have been the following:

  • having a flexible schedule and being able to choose full-time or part-time employment
  • being able to work only three days a week
  • job security and numerous employment opportunities
  • great salary and benefits
  • a challenging work environment
  • numerous opportunities for career advancement
  • respect and appreciation for helping people in need
  • tuition reimbursement for furthering your education
  • making a difference in people's lives
  • having the opportunity to work anywhere you want, being a state or a particular city

Keep in mind that you can start working in your new health care career with as little as a diploma, or a certificate. There are many employment opportunities offering great wages for certified professionals without the hassle of waiting weeks or months to find a job or having to relocate. Over time you may take advantage of many educational opportunities and earn an associate or bachelor degree. Many employers will offer tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules and part-time job opportunities to health care workers looking to further their education. The health care industry is the right environment for those looking to be part of a professional team using the latest technology along with a strong desire to help others.