Changes in the healthcare industry are modifying the structure of the healthcare economy.
Some changes in the healthcare industry with major impact include: Nationwide healthcare reform, Amendment in reimbursement procedures, Government austerity measures, and Rising hospital debt.
Now, there is a great deal of discussion about the projections for a continuous rise in requirement of healthcare professionals. Where do these projections stand when the healthcare industry is in a flux and constantly modifying?
Needless to say, the demand for primary care, medical assistants, medical technologists, nurses and similar healthcare jobs is rising rapidly. While the healthcare scenario is changing, there is little change expected in the demand for these professions.
In fact, “4 of the 5 top 100 jobs are in healthcare” – U.S. News. This is based on the comparison of many variables such as job opportunities, work – life balance, remuneration, job security, and demand-supply gap.
Remuneration in healthcare is generally above average. This is true not only doctors and nurses, but also allied healthcare jobs. These include:
- Medical assistant
- Ultrasound technician
- Ekg technologist
- Medical billing and coding specialist
- Pharmacy technician
- HIPAA specialist
- Phlebotomy technician etc.
Apart from the attractive remuneration, the desire to help others and the ability to do so, serves as an extra impetus for getting employed within the healthcare sector.
Adriane Willig, a consultant for Witt and Kieffer, an executive search firm, defines the liking for jobs in healthcare as “A passion for the mission, desire to make a difference, plus strong job outlook and good salaries.”
The healthcare delivery model is also changing due to the new Affordable Healthcare Act, austerity measures in Medicare etc. In fact, it is estimated that hospitals and healthcare institutions support 10 million additional jobs outside of the traditional jobs they create. The baby boomers are continuing to reach their golden years and they are significantly adding to the demand of allied healthcare professionals, who can improve the quality of the baby boomers’ lives.
Changes in the delivery model will see a large shift of healthcare facilities and professionals being available away from hospital and closer than ever to an individual person: in retail clinics, in offices, in schools, and in houses. In fact, Mount Sinai Careers expects that “The use of mid-level providers such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants is expected to substantially increase.”
One of the most significant demand areas will be that of healthcare workers with good knowledge of IT (Information Technology), because the use of IT in healthcare is rapidly increasing. On one hand this is creating new challenges; while on the other hand this is leveling the playfield for younger entrants with good IT skills, who are able to compete with their older counterparts who are struggling with below average IT skills. Healthcare workers who are adept at operating software, can operate computers skillfully, are equipped with knowledge of use of IT in coding and claims etc., will gain significant advantage in the healthcare job market.
So, while the healthcare industry is quickly changing, the demand for jobs in healthcare is expected to continue moving upwards; with higher demand of healthcare and allied healthcare professionals each coming year.
