| Temperature is right for Healthcare Opportunities | | | | emotional wellbeing of individuals. Whether you're a |
| A healthcare career might be just the cure for | | | | health information specialist or a dental |
| your occupational woes. Whether it's working with | | | | receptionist, all support staff play a vital role in |
| patients, being a key contributor in a medical | | | | patient care. As an important contributor to the |
| office team, or opening up your own business, | | | | healthcare system, you'll need to be able to |
| healthcare is a satisfying, challenging and exciting | | | | establish trust and credibility with fellow workers |
| career choice. And there's never been a better | | | | and patients. Good communication skills, ability to |
| time to train for a healthcare position. With the | | | | follow directions, and strong listening ability are |
| aging of the baby boomers (those born between | | | | important, especially if you're working in a clinical |
| 1946 and 1964), a shift from inpatient to | | | | environment. |
| outpatient care, and the expansion of healthcare | | | | Technical abilities are a must Technology has |
| centers, the demand for healthcare workers is | | | | altered the practice of healthcare. No matter |
| expected to increase in the years to come, | | | | what the healthcare field, an ability to work with |
| especially in California. | | | | computers and high-tech equipment is a powerful |
| Below are the fastest growing Healthcare Careers | | | | asset. As a medical biller, you will probably be |
| in California: *Dental Assisting* Average Annual | | | | asked to help process some claims electronically. |
| Wage: $31,985 2002-2012 Job Growth: 57% | | | | Medical clinical assistants may need to deal with an |
| Future Career Paths: Dental Hygienist, Licensed | | | | Electronic Medical Record. Pharmacy technicians |
| Vocational Nurse | | | | often operate automated pill dispensers. But if |
| *Health Claims Examiner/Medical Biller* Average | | | | you're unfamiliar with such tools, don't worry-your |
| Annual Wage: $31,772 2002-2012 Job Growth: | | | | all-important career college will help introduce you |
| 41% Future Career Paths: Medical Coder, | | | | to these concepts. |
| Insurance Adjuster *Massage Therapy* Average | | | | Exciting environments Is it any wonder that |
| Annual Wage: $36,340 2002-2012 Job Growth: | | | | shows like NBC's "ER" and "Scrubs," and CBS' |
| 21% Future Career Paths: Physical Therapist, Day | | | | "Rescue 911," have been so popular? They show |
| Spa Manager | | | | the drama of medicine and the reality of |
| *Medical Assistant* Average Annual Wage: | | | | life-and-death situations. Healthcare is filled with |
| $28,890 2002-2012 Job Growth: 46% Future | | | | stimulating and interesting interactions. Of course, |
| Career Paths: Licensed Vocational Nurse, Medical | | | | big-city hospitals bustle with activity, but even a |
| Coder | | | | quiet suburban assisted living facility, chiropractic |
| *Optical Dispensing* Average Annual Wage: | | | | office, retail pharmacy, HMO, or medical clinic have |
| $32,441 2002-2012 Job Growth: 23% Future | | | | everyday drama and fascinating daily interactions. |
| Career Paths: Store Owner, Manufacturers Sales | | | | If you like a variety of tasks, work well under |
| Rep | | | | stress, and take pride in doing a job well done, |
| *Pharmacy Technician* Average Annual Wage: | | | | then you have what it takes to be a valuable |
| $33,632 2002-2012 Job Growth: 31% Future | | | | member of the healthcare team. |
| Career Paths: Occupational Therapy Assistant, | | | | Lifelong learning Medical-related workplaces have |
| Dietetic Technician | | | | always been settings that support and encourage |
| *Surgical Technology* Average Annual Wage: | | | | professional growth and development. |
| $40,178 2002-2012 Job Growth: 36% Future | | | | Opportunities for on-the-job training and continuing |
| Career Paths: Central Supply Mgr, Asst. Operating | | | | education abound, and often employers will |
| Room Admin. | | | | subsidize your schooling. You'll also have lots of |
| *Diagnostic Medical Sonagraphy* Average Annual | | | | opportunities for advancement, so your ambition |
| Wage: $60,908 2002-2012 Job Growth: 21% | | | | will serve you well in a healthcare profession. If |
| Future Career Paths: Physician's Assistant, Medical | | | | you're interested in a career like massage |
| Technologist | | | | therapy, be assured that complementary and |
| ** Salaries listed above are average annual wages | | | | alternative medicines are being integrated into |
| reported by the Employment Development | | | | conventional healthcare systems, offering you |
| Department of the State of California and do not | | | | even greater opportunities. No matter what your |
| reflect entry level salaries for the healthcare | | | | area of interest, be sure you start out at a |
| positions listed. | | | | school that provides a positive learning |
| Key Success Factors Do you have a genuine | | | | environment and is prepared to help you launch |
| desire to help people? Then chances are you'll be | | | | your career in this exciting arena. |
| successful as a healthcare professional. The four | | | | Reality check Although not every healthcare |
| other critical skills you'll need to succeed in health | | | | professional works with patients, those who do |
| care are: | | | | will find that people are sicker, older, and living |
| • Team player. Healthcare is a group | | | | longer, often with chronic diseases. Keeping a |
| activity, so people skills and teamwork are | | | | positive attitude is key for maintaining a cheerful |
| essential. • Compassionate and caring. | | | | office or clinic. Are you up to the challenge? Being |
| Helping take care of people requires patience and | | | | a paid caregiver requires confidence, commitment |
| a service-orientated attitude. • | | | | and compassion. |
| Comfortable in any setting. You might be part of | | | | Summary The clock never stops ticking in the |
| a huge organization or a small staff, working at | | | | healthcare profession. Perhaps it's time for you to |
| the local, state, regional or national level. The | | | | join this financially rewarding, stable and gratifying |
| possibilities are endless. • Desire for | | | | occupation. One recent study showed that |
| lifelong learning. You'll need to keep studying and | | | | California led other states in the number of |
| learning throughout your career to keep up with | | | | advertised healthcare job vacancies, with other |
| the latest developments in the field. | | | | regions also showing a strong demand across the |
| Healthcare provides a helping hand Healthcare | | | | nation. One healthcare worker said it best: |
| professionals are essential when it comes to | | | | "Touching someone's life in a positive way is the |
| caring for the physical, mental, social and | | | | most rewarding work that there is. |