Best Healthcare Jobs
The medical field continues to expand in opportunities. From minimal, on-the-job training to positions that require students to spend over eight years in college, these careers are certainly diverse and if you have a passion for helping others, there is bound to be a medical career fitting for you. Some of the best healthcare jobs currently include medical billing and coding specialists, optometrists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dental hygienists, and home health aides.
Medical Billing and Coding
Medical billing and coding specialists are needed to support the billing of multiple health care settings, from hospitals to nursing homes to specialized ambulatory clinics. These professionals often complete a certificate program or associate’s degree. After gaining experience, they can sit for a national certification exam. Billing and coding specialists are trained in a variety of coding manuals, such as ICD-10 CM (used in all healthcare settings) and ICD-10 PCS (used in inpatient settings), as well as in medical terminology and anatomy. Medical billers and coders provide the important service of ensuring that treatments and procedures are billed correctly so that hospitals and other healthcare settings are appropriately reimbursed. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that this career field will grow by 13% by 2026. A survey conducted by the AAPC found that the average salary for medical billers and coders was $51,889 as of 2019.
Optometrist
Optometrists are medical professionals who diagnose and treat problems related to eyes and vision. They examine eyes and prescribe and fit glasses and contacts, as well as identify common eye disorders such as cataracts and glaucoma. They spend an average of eight years in college, which includes four years of undergraduate and four years of graduate school. Optometrists often work in stand-alone eye clinics, optical stores, or in doctor’s offices. As of 2018, the average salary for optometrists was $111,790, with a projected growth of 18% by 2026.
Nursing
Both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are in-demand careers, both growing over 15% and 12%, respectively, by 2026. Registered nurses need a minimum of two years of schooling, with a transition to at least four years for nurses who wish to work in a hospital setting. Licensed vocational nurses typically require one year of schooling. Both must pass a state licensure exam in order to practice. Nurses can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, medical spas, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, home care, jails and prisons, and also within schools. The average salary for an RN in 2018 is $71,730, while LPNs make an average of $46,240 per year.
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants (PAs) are medical providers that diagnose, treat, and manage medical issues in multiple settings and specialties. Working as a team with other medical professionals, PAs are able to perform tasks such as assessing patients, prescribing medications, and assisting in surgery. PAs typically hold a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree, and must pass an exam to practice medicine. These medical providers make $108,610 per year and have a projected growth of 37% by 2026.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs), like physician assistants, have a minimum of six years of schooling and must pass a licensure test to practice. NPs must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then obtain a master’s degree. NPs can specialize in fields such as family medicine, acute care medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, and psychiatry. Like PAs, they work with healthcare teams to assess, diagnose, manage, and treat patients in multiple settings. Nurse practitioners make $113,930 per year and have a projected growth of 31% by 2026.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists generally hold either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. These dental professionals examine and clean patients’ teeth, take x-rays, use tools to polish and protect teeth, and educate patients on proper oral care. Dental hygienists are typically found working in dentist offices and community health settings. On average, dental hygienists make $74,820 per year and opportunities are expected to grow 20% by 2026.
Home Health Aides
Home health aides provide care to patients in their homes. Duties include anything from helping patients eat and use the bathroom to monitoring vital signs. Home health aides may care for diverse patient populations, such as the elderly, pediatric and neonatal patients, patients healing from a trauma, or patients with lifelong disabilities. Generally, a high school diploma is required and some settings may require formal training. The average salary for a home health aide is $24,060 and this field is expected to grow 41% by 2026.