Health Care Systems
Importance of Education among Health Care Professionals
Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in United States, which contributes to the largest number of employment today. According to Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS) 7 out of 20 occupation are related to health care. In 2006 health care alone provided 14 million jobs, out of which 13.6 million was wage and salary workers and 438,000 self employed. Furthermore BLS projected additional 3 million new wage and salary job openings in health care between 2006 and 2016 (USDL, March 12, 2008).
Such an increase in number of available positions in health care industry is partially due to rapidly growing and aging population. Particularly, baby boomers approaching retirement age of 65 will drastically increase demand for healthcare service. The available positions to be filled will vary form primary to specialty physicians, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic lab technicians, ambulatory services staff, hospital medical and administrative staff, as well as home health care services professionals and nursing or residential care facility staff. Even though overall demand for health care professional is high BLS projections fluctuate according to the occupation. For example according to BLS 2006-2016 projections, physician employment projected to grow 14 percent, but physician assistant 27 percent; radiology and other diagnostic technicians will increase by 15-19 percent, as well as licensed practical nurse will increase to 15 percent, but registered nurse employment is expected to grow up to 23-39 percent. The administrative side positions like medical and health service ...