Entry-Level Healthcare Jobs — Is One Right For You?
Of the twenty fastest-growing jobs in the American economy, ten are related to the field of healthcare. This is likely to be a long-lasting trend, given both the demographics involved and the realities of medical care:
* As the baby boom generation continues to move into their senior years, overall demand for healthcare cannot help but grow.
* Most healthcare is not a service that can be outsourced to nations where labor is cheaper. Procedures such as taking a patient\’s blood pressure and administering medication can only be performed in the presence of the patient, which means that aging Americans will need caregivers here in America.
Given these circumstances, it should come as no surprise that healthcare is projected to generate more new jobs than any other sector during the coming ten years; 3.2 million entry level healthcare jobs will be created.
Certified Nursing Assistant
One of the entry level healthcare jobs projected to experience explosive growth is Certified Nursing Assistant. CNAs perform important tasks such as taking vital signs, giving patients baths, and changing sheets. CNAs work in most types of health care facilities, including clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities such as rehabilitation centers. CNAs also sometimes work as home-based caregivers providing basic services in a patient\’s house or apartment.
Beginning CNAs earn up to $12.00 per hour, a pay rate that is considerably higher than minimum wage, and the training needed to secure a CNA job can be completed in a relatively short time. Exact requirements vary from state to state, but a CNA candidate will need to be licensed as a nurse\’s assistant. This usually involves a training course of ten weeks, comprised of both classroom learning and practical experience. In most states candidates must pass an examination.
Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist is trained to draw blood. Phlebotomists work most commonly in hospitals and clinics, though there are also opportunities in large corporations who keep a staff in-house to facilitate drug testing of employees. Non-profits such as the Red Cross also employ phlebotomists to draw blood from donors.
Phlebotomist earnings range from $24,000 to $35,000 per year. The job requires training at a vocational technical college or other school accredited to teach phlebotomy. These institutions themselves require a high school diploma or GED for entry. Formal training typically lasts a full semester. Many states require candidates to pass a certification exam. However, all major employers require full certification, so even if you live in a state with lesser requirements, it is still recommended that you pass this examination and obtain your phlebotomist\’s license.
Emergency Medical Technician
An EMT provides emergency medical care and most commonly works for a hospital or fire department as part of an ambulance service. All 50 states require EMTs to obtain certification; in most cases, working EMTs must meet continuing education requirements every two years.
Entry level healthcare jobs for EMTs pay up to $42,000 per year. EMT I positions require a training course that usually lasts three months, followed by a state certification exam. Training costs are low as most community colleges offer an appropriate program. Further training can lead to EMT II and EMT III positions, which offer even higher pay.
Author Bio: Dee Allyn writes on career and employment topics for the website http://www.TopResumeServices.com/ In today\’s highly competitive job market, writing a resume that will open the door to an interview is tough. A professional writer can often make the difference. View 10 of the Web\’s most popular Resume Writing Services lined up in a row and evaluated on points like industry credentials, quality of writing, customer service and pricing.
Category: Jobs
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