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Every country, every city, and every small town needs people who do healthcare jobs. If you want a career that will always be in demand, this may be a place to look. There are even healthcare jobs where you don’t have to work directly with sick people.
The possibilities are endless. Which jobs are the best? The best hours, pay, or emotional reward? If you’re looking for a healthcare career path, here is what you need to know.
If you’re ready to land a job in healthcare, start your job search on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is one of the top rated job search sites and it’s free for job seekers!
Benefits Of Working In Healthcare
Healthcare jobs may fluctuate, but overall they aren’t going away until someone invents Star Trek-style machines that automatically fix any problems. There are some complicated things about working in healthcare–people get sick on nights, weekends, and holidays–for instance, but overall, the good can outweigh the bad. If you want to get a job in healthcare, these benefits are sure to inspire you.
You Make A Difference
Whether you perform surgery or clean the floors in a hospital, your job saves lives and helps people live more comfortably. There aren’t many jobs where you can walk out every day, saying “I made a difference,” today.
When It’s Boring, It’s A Relief
Some jobs are repetitive, and you can get bored quickly. There will always be new patients, new problems, and new things to do in healthcare. A boring shift comes only once in a while and is a relief for everyone. Most of the time, you’ll be busy the whole day–which makes time fly and helps you have a fulfilling job.
There Is Lots Of People Interaction
If you like working with people, there are plenty of healthcare jobs that involve regular patient and people contact. It’s an extrovert’s dream job.
There’s Also Behind-The-Scenes Roles
Did you know that some radiologists work from home? They review MRI, CT, and X-rays over computers and advise doctors on site. Public health employees can perform complex analyses without dealing directly with patients. Laboratory scientists don’t have to meet face to face with patients. There are many places in healthcare for introverts.
You Can Work Almost Anywhere And Remotely For Some Roles
Everyone needs healthcare. Sure, if you want to be a trauma surgeon, you’ll need to live in a city with a level one trauma center. But, if you’d like to be a certified nurses aid (CNA), there is undoubtedly a nearby hospital, nursing home, or clinic that needs your experience.
Remote healthcare positions are also becoming more popular. Check out the best work from home nursing jobs to learn more.
There Is Lots Of Variety
If you get bored in your job, there is another branch of healthcare that you can transfer to. You can work as a social worker who helps new parents learn how to care for their babies, or you can take your social work skills and work with a hospice that helps people transition out of this life. You can be a security guard in a busy hospital where you’re called on often to defuse situations and keep people safe. Or you can be a night security guard in a quiet nursing home where you’ll rarely talk with other people. You can work as an OR tech helping with heart transplants or in an outpatient clinic, helping with cataract surgery. There’s always another option.
5 Of The Best Jobs In Healthcare
Often we equate best with most highly paid. But that’s not what everyone looks for in a job–and remember, in healthcare, the most highly paid jobs require years and years of education and training. But, here are five of the best jobs at all different levels.
1. Physicians and Surgeons
Median National Salary:$208,000 per year
Education Required: Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), plus internship and residency.
Number of Jobs: 727,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 3% (Slower than average)
Job Duties: Physicians and surgeons take the lead in patient healthcare. With their intensive training, they are the experts in their particular field. They perform surgeries, minor procedures, diagnose, treat, and look out for the general welfare of their patients. Training is intense and, depending on the specialty, may last for a decade after finishing school.
2. Physical Therapist
Median National Salary: $95,620 per year
Education Required: Doctoral or professional degree
Number of Jobs: 239,200
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 21% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Physical therapists work with patients to help regain or build function, usually after illness or injury
3. Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
Median National Salary: $14.56 per hour
Education Required: None, although many jobs may require a high school diploma and a certification issued by the state.
Number of Jobs: 1,440,700
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: Nursing assistants and orderlies provide direct, non-medical care, including helping patients eat, bathe, and moving patients. They may also provide housekeeping duties.
4. Respiratory Therapists
Median National Salary: $61,830 per year
Education Required: Associate’s Degree (2 years)
Number of Jobs: 135,100
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 23% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Respiratory therapists help patients who have difficulty breathing. This can be with asthma patients or people who develop breathing problems for other reasons.
5. Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Median National Salary: $75,380 per year
Education Required: Associate’s Degree (2 years)
Number of Jobs: 134,100
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 14% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: Medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists use equipment to take images of patients and conduct tests.
Where To Find Healthcare Jobs
If you have a local hospital or other healthcare facilities, check their websites, as they will often have jobs listed. Here are some other great places to find healthcare jobs. Before you start applying for jobs, make sure you take time to polish your healthcare resume.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is one of the easiest and fastest ways to find a job. The site gives you easy access to making a personalized profile to go with your resume. Job hunters gain access to over 100 popular job boards across the industry. And on top of that, it’s completely free to use by job hunters!
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Indeed
Indeed is similar to ZipRecruiter in that it’s also free for job seekers. The company includes positions from among various job boards as well as newspaper ads and local job listings. Employer reviews are included to help you better understand the potential company you want to work for.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 best healthcare job?
This depends on what you want to do and what environment you like to work in, and how much training you want to go through. There is no one-size-fits-all answer!
Which health care job pays the most?
Physicians and surgeons spend the most, but there can be a vast variety within that job. A general rule of thumb is that the more training needed, the higher the paycheck.
What two-year medical degrees pay the most?
Sonographers, respiratory technicians, dental hygienists, and other assistant-type jobs top the list. They all require specialized training, but because they focus on one skill or one body part, you can complete the training in two years or less.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a job that will always be in demand, healthcare jobs are a great place to start. To start your career, take a look at ZipRecruiter and see what is available in your area.