Health care industry expected to boom, new jobs anticipated

PHOENIX - If you are in need of a job, or simply a career change, the health care industry may be a good place to start looking.

The Arizona Department of Commerce projects the health care sector will lead all others through the year 2018.

Analysts anticipate the creation of 44,000 new jobs by 2018.

"It's a combination of things," explained Pat Weidman, Director of Workforce and Staffing for the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. "The population is continuing to age and new people are moving to the Valley.

"Everybody needs medical care at some point," she continued.
That news bodes well for those interested in a career in health care.

Registered nurses, especially those with experience in specialty areas like critical care will continue to be in highest demand in hospitals, according to Weidman.

The growth can be attributed to a number of reasons.

As the number of patients increases, the need for skilled caregivers does as well.

Age also plays a factor.

Weidman points out that one third of registered nurses in the state are age 55 and over.

As they end their careers, more nurses will be needed to fill their slots.

The demand is causing congestion down the line, though.

Most schools that offer nursing programs now have waiting lists, because so many students are enrolling.

In some cases, a student may wait one or two years to begin their education.

A quicker way to enter the industry may be to become a licensed practical nurse, or LPN.

Most LPN programs take only a year to complete, where registered nurse training can take as long as two to four years.

If waiting that long isn't an option, training for careers in radiology and respiratory therapy can be shorter.

Other in-demand areas include physical therapy, speech therapy, radiology and pharmacology.

Of course, patient-centric jobs aren't the only ones positively influenced by growth in the industry.

Hospitals, clinics and other health care providers are in need of people qualified in housekeeping, information technology, security, communications and administrative positions.

Believe or not, the number of practicing physicians is declining, thanks in part to the rising cost of insurance.

To make up for the gap, many patients now see physician assistants.

They do not hold doctorate degrees, but they can diagnose and treat conditions under the supervision of a physician.

Those jobs will be in demand as well.

Find more information on medical jobs .