Rx For an Ailing Career Outlook:
Health Care is a Growth Industry

With the economy in seeming freefall, and companies daily announcing layoff plans, the employment picture is looking bleak for those entering the workforce, or those hit by the layoffs needing to find new jobs.

However, there is one employment sector that is continuing to show steady growth. According to Joanne Giudicelli, Talent Management Consultant and author of HIRE POWER: A Radical New Strategy for Defining and Executing Successful Hiring, the health care sector is itself one of the healthiest in terms of employment opportunities. According to Giudicelli, "As the large crop of Baby Boomers age, the need for health workers has increased. The need is not only found in the United States, but in countries throughout the world." Backing Giudicelli's statement, an August 1, 2008 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated that "employment continued to fall in construction, manufacturing, and several service-providing industries, while health care continued to add jobs."

The BLS further points out, "Employment in health care continued to increase with a gain of 33,000 in July. This industry has added 368,000 jobs over the past 12 months. In July, there were job gains of 21,000 in ambulatory health care services and 10,000 in hospitals."

Registered nurses were among the areas with the highest employment in 2007 while physician specialists and dentist specialists were among the highest paid. In the 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook (available at www.bls.gov/OCO), health care has three separate listings:

• Professional- Health Diagnosing and Treating - 17 occupations
• Professional - Health Technologists and Technicians - 15 occupations
• Service- Healthcare Support - 8 occupations

Career Coach and Author Alice Fairhurst points out, "While most people are aware of the critical need for primary care physicians, physician assistants and nursing staff, many do not realize the shortage in the allied health professionals such as respiratory care practitioners, medical transcriptionists, radiographers and lab technicians. Those with the highest projected need include physical therapist assistants, dental hygienists and pharmacy technicians. Some health care providers are working with two year colleges to provide needed clinical training."

Mid-career workers who have lost their jobs due to downsizing are taking training to enter these fields where demand is high. And people who worked in health care in another country are getting certification in the United States to fill the need.

To help sort out the various opportunities in this growing sector, Fairhurst recommends individuals take the Keirsey Temperament Sorter which can help guide a person into which of the careers might be more satisfying.

• Guardians (SJ's) like the stability and service aspect of health care. The STJ's prefer technical fields, such as dentist, physician, pharmacist, or lab technologist. The SFJ's prefer people contact fields, such as family physician, nurse, dental assistant or medical secretary.
  
  
• Artisans (SP's) like action and change of pace. The STP's often are found as surgeons, emergency care workers, or medical technicians. The SFP's may be nurses, radiology technologists, medical social workers, or massage therapists.
  
  
• Idealists (NF's) want to improve the future for others. The NFJ's may teach or administer in health settings or counsel others. The NFP's are drawn to rehabilitation, speech pathology, and social work.
  
  
• Rationals (NT's) are the most fascinated with pure science. The NTJ's are drawn to administration, scientific analysis, medical research, or biomedical engineering. The NTP's seek the newest advances in any field and will promote and/or research new ideas.

If you're new to the workforce, looking to make a change, or have had change thrust upon you by the melting economy, the opportunities in health care are worth investigating. There is a broad range of jobs in the field, and there is sure to be at least one that offers career satisfaction to any person of any personality type.