Health Care Industry

Health care is the generalized job title that includes the professions of doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, psychiatrists, and many others. There are about 14 million Americans that work in this profession. The health care field is rapidly growing, because these types of jobs are always needed to fill hospitals and medical offices around the country.

Most of the workers in this industry are paid on a salary or hourly-based system, although some are self employed. Health care workers can be employed in hospitals, nursing care facilities, doctor offices, dentist offices, home health care services, and diagnostic laboratories. The average work hours for nurses, dentists, doctors, and aides vary based on what type of service the care giver is providing. Usually, private physicians and dentists work the least amount of hours per week. Hospital physicians, RNs, and LPNs work the most per week.

A lot of jobs tend to pay well above minimum wage due to the high cost of health care in the US. Because of this, there is a lot of interest in training to become a medical professional. Many trade schools in the US offer one to two year programs to train individuals to become LPNs, CNAs, Dental assistants, and dental hygienists, among other positions.

In addition to specially trained care-givers, there is also a need for office and clerical workers in the health profession. These people are of high importance because it is important to keep medical records and patient information organized and up to date, so that the doctors, dentists, optometrists, and chiropractors can view the case of each patient. Medical coders, medical billers, receptionists, and secretaries are employed at virtually every place that gives some type of medical care in the country. These positions may require some type of training, which is usually a one to two year program, or they can be trained on the job site. Although their pay is not as much as a care giver like an RN or dental assistant, they usually make above minimum wage based on experience. All of these positions are just a few that encompass the medical field in the US.