One of the greatest achievements of the Obama Administration was slashing the unemployment rate and creating tens of millions of jobs for Americans. In a recently released job report, jobs in health care are on the rise. This is due largely in part because of the Affordable Care Act. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for the ten-year period of 2014-2024 forecast that growth of 19%, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.3 million new jobs. The Huffington Post reported the BLS projection that one in three new jobs will fall within the health care and social assistance sector. While 38,000 new health care jobs have recently been created, there is also a changing of the guard in health care professions, as Huffington Post reports that more than half of medical professionals like doctors and nurses are over the age of 50. With retirement nearing, younger professionals are seeking careers with equal longevity, and health care is one of them.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the scope of health care professionals’ duties have also broadened, allowing for a astronger skill set. With the ACA’s move to provide health care coverage for everyone, there is a necessity for jobs to provide that health care. In addition, the unfortunate rise of illnesses such as Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes has also contributed to that demand. Further, occupations within the medical field are expanding, including distance health care, otherwise known as telemedicine (think WebMD). So which health care careers are on the rise? The BLS reports many, including Nurses, Occupational Health and Safety Technicians, Therapists, Assistants and Aides, Home Health Aides, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Physician Assistants, Crisis Counseling, and Phlebotomists.
While the level of educational requirements varies, the careers are endless, with opportunities for advancement and lateral moves as health care continues to evolve. The Affordable Care Act has not only contributed to raising the awareness of health care coverage, it has also contributed to raising the demand for careers in the respective field. To read the full article in the Huffington Post, click here. To review the statistics provided by the BLS, click here.