10 Fastest Growing Careers in Healthcare

As baby boomers age and preventative medicine expands, the number of career opportunities in healthcare related fields are rapidly increasing to match the rising demand. Industry professions are becoming increasingly popular, and professionals are thriving in the rewarding healthcare field. Due to a variety of factors (such as employment stability, educational requirements and anticipated salary) some careers are growing at a faster rate than others. Here is a list of the top 10 fastest growing careers in healthcare and what each career entails according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Veterinary Technician/Technologist (41% growth)

Veterinary Technicians and Technologists perform medical tests under the supervision of a licensed Veterinarian. These professionals assist in diagnosing the injuries and illnesses of animals. They primarily work in private animal hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Employment is expected to grow in this career as Veterinarians further rely on Veterinary Technicians and Technologists to do general care and lab work on animals.

• Physician Assistant (39% growth)

Physician Assistant (or “PAs”) practice healthcare alongside Physicians, Surgeons and Specialists, and assist in the examining, diagnosing and treating patients. They tend to work full-time in hospitals, outpatient centers and practitioner’s offices. Demand for this career in healthcare is growing as more patients are needing to be seen by the overseeing professionals, and thus the need for the services provided by Physician Assistants also increases. Interested in this career? Learn how to become a Physician Assistant.

• Athletic Trainer (37% growth)

Athletic Trainers specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of muscle and bone injuries, as well as illnesses. They are able to find employment by athletes or professional sports, and in hospitals, fitness centers, educational settings or the office of practitioners. Demand for this career in healthcare is increasing as the baby boom generation continues to age and remain active, and as awareness of sports-related injuries expands.

• Medical Assistant (34% growth)

The responsibilities of Medical Assistants include completing both administrative and clerical tasks. These services can be required in a number of employment settings, include that of hospitals, practitioner offices or other healthcare facilities. This career in healthcare is growing due to the aging baby boom generation and a resulting increased demand for preventive and comprehensive healthcare services. As more Medical Assistants are hired, practitioners are able to schedule and treat an increasing number of patients. Want to begin the path to becoming a Medical Assistant? Learn more.

• Veterinarian (33% growth)

Veterinarian services are designed to improve the health of animals (ranging from livestock to pets to wild animals) by helping to diagnose and treat them for injury or illness. These professionals can also be employed to research medical conditions and disease which affect animals. Veterinarians can work in animal hospitals, laboratories and private clinics, or choose to be a traveling “Vet.” Demand for this career in healthcare grows as animal healthcare prevention and care expands, and as people continue to care for their pets.

• Pharmacy Technician (32% growth)

Pharmacy Technicians help overseeing Pharmacists to account for and dispense prescription medication. They are employed in the pharmacies of hospitals, clinics, grocery stores and other general merchandise settings. Demand for this profession is growing due to a demand for increased pharmaceutical services. Read about the educational requirements for this career in healthcare.

• Dental Hygienist (30% growth)

Dental Hygienists are responsible for examining and cleaning patients’ teeth. They also assess patients for signs of oral disease and educate them on best practices for overall dental health. Most Dental Hygienists are employed by dental offices. This career in healthcare is growing due to an aging baby boom generation and increasing amounts of research linking oral health to overall health. Learn more about this career.

• Physical Therapist (37% growth)

Physical Therapists, or “PTs,” assistant people to improve their range of motion, manage pain and provide rehabilitation, treatment and preventionary services. PTs are employed by clinics, practitioner’s offices, hospitals, home health services and nursing homes. Demand for this career is on the rise as the baby boom population ages, and as physical therapy is increasingly used to treat healthcare conditions.

• Radiation Therapist (25% growth)

Radiation Therapists treat patients with cancer or other chronic healthcare conditions and diseases by administering radiation treatments. They are most often employed by hospitals, outpatient centers and practitioner offices. Demand for Radiation Therapists is a result of an aging population and advances in radiation therapies.

• Surgical Technologist (24% growth)

Surgical Technologists, or “operating room technicians,” assist in surgical operations. Their services can include preparing operating rooms, arranging equipment and supporting doctors during surgeries. Most Surgical Technologists work in hospitals, and demand for this career in healthcare stems from more operations being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.

Do any of these careers in healthcare sound interesting to you? Learn more about these, and other rewarding careers in healthcare today!