: Health & Medicine
Healthcare is the largest industry in the United States, employing more than 13.5 million people nationwide. Eight of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' twenty fastest-growing occupations are in healthcare. The positions most in demand are: registered nurse, home health aides, physician assistants, physical therapist assistants, and dental hygienists and assistants. Most healthcare occupations, including those experiencing the strongest growth, require less than four years of college education. The minimum standard credential for health and clinical occupations is a two-year program leading to a certificate or associate's degree. Dental hygienist, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, and medical transcriptionist are among the positions requiring qualifications at this level. Registered nurses enter the field with a two-year Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), a diploma, or a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). Healthcare is the largest industry in the United States, employing more than 13.5 million people nationwide. Eight of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' twenty fastest-growing occupations are in healthcare. The positions most in demand are: registered nurse, home health aides, physician assistants, physical therapist assistants, and dental hygienists and assistants. Most healthcare occupations, including those experiencing the strongest growth, require less than four years of college education. The minimum standard credential for health and clinical occupations is a two-year program leading to a certificate or associate's degree. Dental hygienist, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, and medical transcriptionist are among the positions requiring qualifications at this level. Registered nurses enter the field with a two-year Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), a diploma, or a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Medical Assistant Jobs:
About 62 percent of medical assistants work in offices of physicians.
Some medical assistants are trained on the job, but many complete 1-year or 2-year programs.
Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade.
Job prospects should be excellent.
