Field of Opportunity

By Nancy Giguere, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: June 17, 2004 - 11:00 PM

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 16 percent of all new wage and salary jobs created between 2002 and 2012 will be in health services. That amounts to 3.5 million jobs, more than in any other industry.

Practitioners like physicians, nurses, physical therapists and physician assistants who diagnose and treat patients are among the most educated workers. The majority of heathcare jobs, however, require less than four years of college.

Hot Careers

Here are some of the healthcare careers that will grow the fastest through 2012, as projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical functions in clinics or physicians' offices. Assistants need a diploma or two-year degree. The degree increasingly is preferred. The need for medical assistants will grow by 59 percent, creating 215,000 new jobs.

Dental assistants support dentists by performing administrative and clinical functions in dentists' offices. A diploma is required. The need for dental assistants will grow by 42 percent, creating 113,000 new jobs.

Dental hygienists clean teeth, teach patients how to take care of their teeth and provide other preventive care. A two-year degree is required. Approximately 64,000 hygienists will be needed, an increase of 43 percent.

Medical records and health information technicians collect, code and maintain medical information about patients. A two-year degree generally is required. Jobs in this field will increase by 47 percent, creating 69,000 new openings.

Respiratory therapists help physicians diagnose, treat and evaluate patients with heart-lung disorders. A two-year degree currently is required, although a four-year degree may soon become the standard. The need for respiratory therapists will increase by 35 percent, creating 30,000 jobs.

Physician assistants treat mild to moderate trauma, infections and common chronic illnesses under the supervision of a physician. A master's degree rapidly is becoming the preferred level of training. Some 31,000 physician assistants will be needed, an increase of 49 percent.

Physical therapists help people with impaired movement regain normal movement. The doctor of physical therapy degree rapidly is becoming the preferred level of training. An estimated 48,000 physical therapists will be needed, an increase of 35 percent.

Physical therapist assistants deliver prescribed interventions under the supervision of a physical therapist. A two-year degree is required. There will be 22,000 openings for physical therapist assistants, an increase of 45 percent.

Occupational therapists help people with disabilities improve their ability to perform everyday tasks. The current educational requirement is a four-year degree; in 2007, however, this will become a master?s degree. An estimated 29,000 occupational therapists will be needed, an increase of 35 percent.

Occupational therapist assistants help clients with rehabilitative activities under the supervision of an occupational therapist. Assistants need a two-year degree. New jobs for occupational therapist assistants will grow by 7,000, an increase of 39 percent.

Learn More

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career Guide to Industries, 2004-05 Edition, Health Services, www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2004 Monthly Labor Review, www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2004/02/contents.htm.

Nancy Giguere is a freelance writer from St. Paul, MN.

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