Healthcare is one of the largest industries in the United States (US) and employs around 16 million people. There is a massive variety of healthcare jobs available, from physicians and registered nurses to pharmacists and home health aides.
If you’re looking for a job in the healthcare industry, then it’s important to find a position that you are passionate about. You should also search for a role that aligns with your career goals and offers perks such as good earning potential, security, and advancement.
Here are the top six healthcare jobs that make a difference:
- Registered Nurse
Registered nurses have many of the same duties as medical doctors, although they focus more on patient care. Nurses are often based in hospital wards where they monitor patients, administer medications, and provide preventative care and healthcare advice. They can also find employment in private clinics, schools, residential homes, and many other settings.
Nurses spend a significant amount of time with their patients and have the opportunity to develop strong bonds and make a positive impact on their patients’ lives. Registered nurses can also specialize in an area of nursing that they’re passionate about, such as pediatrics, midwifery, or mental health. Specialist nurses have more responsibilities and higher earner potential.
Nurses must complete an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX exam before they can apply for a license to practice. A bachelor’s degree in nursing typically takes four years to finish, although you can complete an accelerated BSN online if you have a degree in another discipline. An accelerated nursing program can usually be completed within 12-18 months.
2. Physician
Physicians are medical doctors who examine patients, diagnose health conditions, and treat a broad range of illnesses, injuries, and diseases. They work alongside other members of the healthcare team and play a crucial role in the healthcare industry.
Skilled physicians are in high demand and earn an average yearly salary of $208,000. This is much higher than the average wage in the US, which currently stands at just over $50,000. Working as a physician can be extremely satisfying, and you will positively impact your patients and their families.
Physicians are highly trained medical professionals that complete several years of formal training. To become a physician, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree and then attend medical school and complete a residency before passing the medical licensing exam. It typically takes between 10 and 14 years to become a licensed physician, according to Indeed.
3. Pediatrician
Pediatricians are medical doctors who focus on the healthcare needs of infants, children, and adolescents. Some common duties include examining children, diagnosing health conditions, monitoring children’s growth and development, and treating illness and injuries in minors. Pediatricians also provide parents and guardians will guidance on how to protect their child’s health.
Pediatricians must complete the same formal education as physicians before specializing in pediatrics. Pediatricians are eligible to apply for board certification after they complete a three-year residency program.
4. Dentist
Dentistry is considered one of the best healthcare careers thanks to high earning potential and excellent job security. Dentists are in high demand and have a low unemployment rate of just 0.3%, according to studentscholarships.org.
Dentists take care of people’s teach and mouths by carrying out oral examinations and treating common dental issues such as cavities, erosion, and gum disease. Dentists also give their patients valuable advice to improve their oral hygiene, e.g., to reduce the amount of sugar and acidic beverages in a patient’s diet.
To become a dentist, you will need to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree and then complete a program at an accredited dental school before you can apply for a license to practice. It usually takes around eight years of education to become a licensed dentist in the US.
5. Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are experts in the field of mental health. They diagnose and treat a wide range of complex mental health conditions, including eating disorders, PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders. The demand for psychiatrists is growing thanks to an increasing focus on mental health and more people seeking help for emotional issues.
The BLS estimates that job opportunities in psychiatric care will grow by 12% by 2029, which is much higher than the average salary across all other occupations. Psychiatrists also have a high average income of $208,000 per year, making it one of the highest-paying occupations in the US.
Training to become a psychiatrist takes several years of intensive study. You will need to complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and then complete an M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) program at medical school. All states then require graduate psychiatrists to apply for a board license before they can practice. Most states then require ABPN licenses to be renewed every 10 years.
6. Home Health Aide
Home health aides support patients in their homes and assist with various daily tasks and activities. This may involve preparing meals, doing household chores, helping with personal care, providing mobility support, or administering medication. Home health aids can also provide a valuable source of companionship, especially for vulnerable people who lack social interaction.
Unlike many of the other careers on this list, you don’t necessarily need any formal education to become a home health aide. Many hospital and community colleges offer home health aide qualifications. Most of these programs require 120 hours of classroom training and between 40 and 60 hours of clinical work. Read this article by learn.org for more information on how to become a home health aide.
Conclusion
The healthcare industry is expanding rapidly due to the growing healthcare demands of society. The sector offers a huge variety of exciting job roles to suit people of all education levels and abilities. Above are some of the top healthcare jobs that make a positive impact, but there are many more roles that may be better matched to your skills and interests.
