An interest in fitness, nutrition, wellness and helping people are the keys to a successful career in one of the fastest growing job markets- health care. Health care workers are in high demand across the country and especially in Northwest Arkansas.
The health care sector is expected to add 2.3 million new jobs by 2024, according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’ s more than for any other type of occupation. The agency credits America’ s aging population and an increase in the number of people with health insurance with the growth.
Locally, the health care sector is expected to need 8,000 new workers over the next 10 years. That figure includes new jobs created by industry growth and replacing retiring workers.
Average pay ranges from $ 12 per hour for support workers, to $ 34 per hour for health care practitioners and for technical occupations, according to NWA Workforce Connection. Some highly specialized occupations can pay well over $ 100 per hour. While some careers in health care require medical school training or a college degree, many others only require training courses to complete a technical certificate.
The starting point for many health care careers is a Certified Nursing Assistant license, said Karen Stewart, Director of PRN Medical Services. PRN provides staffing for some medical facilities, such as a health
In addition to doctors, pharmacists and surgeons some of the many careers in the health care sector include nurses, nursing assistants, home health aides, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, dental assistants, medical assistants, medical records keepers, athletic trainers, phlebotomists, and many types of technicians.
Wages vary depending on the type of skills and education needed for each career.
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