Health Science:
Skills & Job Outlook for this Career Cluster
On The Job:
- Eight out of 20 of the fastest-growing occupations are health care related.*
Not all health occupations have direct contact with patients. Some positions work with mainly with lab results, equipment or medical records.
- The work environment for health workers includes hospitals, residential care facilities, rehabilitation or outpatient clinics, doctor offices, home health care settings, eldercare facilities, freestanding ambulatory surgical, emergency care centers, laboratories and patients' homes.
- Many health workers with patient-care duties have to be available 24/7. Schedules can have evening, weekend and holiday shifts. Part time and on-call shifts are common for some occupations.
*Source: U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook
What Skills Do You Need?
- Computer and technical skills to use office and medical equipment, like X-ray machines.
- Computer and
- technical skills to use office, lab and medical equipment.
- Detail orientation to notice small changes in patients' symptoms or data records.
- Organization skills to manage multiple projects and scheduled appointments.
- People orientation to work with a variety of medical professionals and clients.
- Physical stamina to stand for long periods of time and lift equipment and/or patients.
- Problem-solving skills to analyze situations and data and produce appropriate solutions.
- Speaking and
- listening skills to make sure patients understand treatments and medical concepts.
Job Outlook: VERY GOOD
Advances in medicine, technology and pharmaceuticals have prolonged the life expectancy and quality of life for many people. As the population continues to age and alternative settings, like home care, become a popular option for cutting costs, health care workers of all types are needed.
Openings in Minnesota are numerous in both rural and urban areas.
More doctors today work in group clinics rather than in their own practices. And many duties have shifted to nurses and other health-care support personnel, increasing the need for skilled workers in those positions.
The need for medical tests, treatments and procedures has increased the need for technicians and technologists.
Employment is expected to grow most rapidly in medical offices, clinics or diagnostic imaging centers as part of a trend to perform medical procedures in out-patient facilities instead of hospitals.
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