There are a variety of career options in the health care field.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health care industry is one of the largest industries, with 14.3 million jobs in 2008. Career options in the health care industry range from physicians to facility managers. There is sure to be a career track in the health care field that will appeal to you and fit your objectives.
Physicians and Surgeons
Physicians and surgeons are health care professionals who examine, diagnose and perform surgeries on patients. In order to be a practicing physician or surgeon, you must posses an M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathic medicine) degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a primary care physician in 2008 is $186,044, while a physician in a medical specialty can expect a median income of $339,733.
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses assist physicians in treating and giving advice to patients. The work can be strenuous with many registered nurses being on call with short notice. The educational requirements for a registered nurse can vary. Some institutions may require only a diploma while others may prefer an associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states the median salary for nurses in May 2008 is $62,450.
Medical and Health Care Managers
Medical and health center managers are in charge of managing health care facilities or departments within a system. Large health care facilities will have assistant managers who help the executive manager run the business smoothly. Most medical and health service managers will have at the minimum a bachelor's degree but a master's degree is most likely needed to advance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for medical and health service managers in May 2008 is $80,240.
Personal Aides
Personal aides help disabled or sick people who need assistance in their home or a health facility. A personal aide tasks may include housekeeping, dressing and grooming as well as preparing meals. More than likely, these tasks will vary daily. This career path can be physically demanding and the hours can be long. There are no educational requirements and most personal aides are trained by registered nurses or experience aides. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for personal aides in May 2008 is $9.22.
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