The Best Healthcare Careers for Job Security

Most people don’t give job security a second thought when earning a degree or gaining experience in a field. While a career might provide an attractive annual salary and an enjoyable working life, there is no guarantee you will walk into a role. Also, you will not want to be the first employee to be culled when a business makes cutbacks.

With an ageing population and an increasing need for medical services, the demand for healthcare workers is high. There are numerous healthcare jobs in Australia that help you to pursue your career in this field.

If you want to enjoy many happy years in the sector, you must pick an in-demand occupation that offers multiple career paths to ensure you are never out of work. Check out the following healthcare careers that offer job security.

Physician Assistant

If you are looking for a secure career that will allow you to provide direct patient care, you might love a job as a physician assistant. Job growth for the role has increased by 31%, which means you might find it easy to walk into a position in your state. Plus, job demand equals greater job security.

To become a physician assistant, you will need to earn a degree in a healthcare-related major and a license. However, state regulations might determine your duties in the role, such as performing medical exams, updating healthcare files, and diagnosing and treating patients.

Nurse Practitioners

Unsurprisingly, nurse practitioners have one of the most secure jobs in healthcare. After all, they are responsible for improved patient outcomes, processes, and policies. They cannot only assess a patient’s condition, but they can provide an accurate diagnosis and determine the most suitable treatment for their needs. The career is in much demand, and it is expected to experience job growth of 28% by 2028.

To become a nurse practitioner, you will first need to train as a registered nurse. Once you enroll in a doctor of nurse practitioner program, you can choose various tracks to suit you, such as a family nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery.

Respiratory Therapists

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that the demand for respiratory therapists has increased by 19%. The growth, which is above the healthcare average, indicates that this career path will provide people with much job security when entering the field.

Respiratory therapists will meet patients with various breathing issues and determine their condition and the best treatment options based on their symptoms. To become a respiratory therapist, you must earn an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. Plus, many US states require respiratory therapists to acquire a license.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

If you love the idea of helping people improve or regain various abilities, you could adore a career as an occupational therapy assistant. You will work with people living with a disability that affects their motor skills or those with impaired mobility due to an illness or injury.

The demand for the role has grown by 31% in recent years and indicates a good level of job security. However, you must have a high school diploma or a GED, an associate’s degree, and a license to become an occupational therapy assistant, meaning that you have to be a very educated individual who is committed to learning.

Physician

According to a 2020 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States will struggle with a shortfall of 139,000 physicians by 2033. As a physician is responsible for the non-surgical treatment of various patient conditions, healthcare organizations across the country will cry out for doctors to fill the shortage.

Becoming a physician isn’t an easy task; a budding doctor must invest time and money into a college education and medical school. However, your hard work and effort will pay off, as you will enter a career with a superb annual salary, job security, and a bright future.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Due to the United States’ aging population, chronic health conditions are becoming a huge issue for people up and down the country. A physical therapist assistant will help to treat patients using various techniques, such as exercise, gait and balance training, massage, and much more. Also, they are responsible for recording patient progress and then sending treatment reports to a physical therapist.

Once you enter the role, you will work under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist. Plus, you could receive a great salary, which is often determined by an assistant’s education, location, and healthcare experience.

To become a physical therapy assistant, you will need to earn a physical therapist assistant degree and pass the licensing exam.

Speech Language Pathologist

If you’re looking for a career that can help you change the lives of both adults and children, consider becoming a speech language pathologist. You will provide patients with life-saving treatment, as you can help non-verbal children learn how to talk and communicate. Plus, you will provide the appropriate treatment and support for adults and children living with eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties.

According to the National Consortium for Health Science Education, the healthcare sector requires 40,500 additional speech language pathologists at present. The occupation is expected to grow by 25% by 2029, which is much faster than the average growth. To become a speech language pathologist, you will need to obtain a speech and language therapy degree approved by the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

If you want to secure a well-paid career that doesn’t require you to complete a four-year degree program, learn more about becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer. Once you have earned an associate degree, which takes two years to complete, you can enter the occupation.

As a diagnostic medical sonographer, you must perform various scans using ultrasound equipment to screen and diagnose medical conditions. You’ll need to handle scans in a sensitive manner, write detailed reports, and make referrals to various healthcare practitioners.

While the career is associated with pregnancy scans, diagnostic medical sonographers will often need to produce images of various organs and other body parts in order to support an accurate medical diagnosis. Thanks to the images, a healthcare practitioner can then provide a patient with the appropriate treatment. You can find a job on Jooble.

If you are looking for a rewarding working life, a high-paying job, and job security, the above occupations could be perfect for your needs. However, research an occupation’s daily duties, education requirements, and career progression options to ensure you make the right decision for your personality and ambition.