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Caregiving
Caregivers are the front line of healthcare. They work directly with the patients. People need healthcare at all times of the day every day of the year. This means that there has to be someone available to provide care. Changes in responsibility have come with the spread of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Not as many doctors work in their own practices as do in a hospital or clinic. You should have some of the following skills:
- Deal with Emotional Stress
- Listening and Communication
- Memory
- Teamwork
Job Outlook by mnCareers.org:
The outlook is excellent for caregivers. Statewide shortages continue to exist for caregivers. This is especially true for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and pharmacists. Experts are also concerned about a possible future shortage of qualified graduates to fill the increasing demand.
Long-term care facilities, like nursing homes, require more and more caregivers. the aging and elderly populations in the U.S. continue to rise and will need healthcare services - especially in long-term facilities and home care. Critical and emergency care units are also trying to find more nurses. In rural areas, shortages can be critical. Pharmacist positions, for example, are hard to fill. Small town pharmacies have a hard time competing with chain drug stores.
Registered Nurses (RN): Assess patient health and develop care plans. May advise patients on care management. Employment currently: 48,620. Best fits into Interest Profile: SIR (Click Here, to determine you interest profile).
Wages: Low End: $18.30 Mid Range: $24.40 High End: $33.10
Education: 2-4 Years: A 2-Year Associates or 4-Year Bachelor's Degree is very common. A license is required.
Job Outlook: Excellent: There is a nurse shortage statewide. There is high demand for nurses because of this.
Growth: 2,000 Openings per year.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT): Transport sick or injured persons to medical facilities. Make assessments of injury while en route to the hospital or clinic. Employment currently: 3,860. Best fits into Interest Profile: SRI (Click Here, to determine you interest profile).
Wages: Low End: $6.60 Mid Range: $12.00 High End: $21.30
Education: Varies: State registration is required. EMT basic is 1 month, paramedic training is up to 2 years.
Job Outlook: Very Good: Turnover and increase in aging population creates many openings.
Growth: 200 Openings per year.
Physician Assistants (PA): Care for patients under supervision of a physician. May also give physicals and collect patient information. Employment currently: 920. Best fits into Interest Profile: ISA (Click Here, to determine you interest profile).
Wages: Low End: $24.90 Mid Range: $33.00 High End: $44.70
Education: 6-Year Professional Degree: License required. Most have 4-Year degree and complete 2 years of a PA program.
Job Outlook: Very Good: PAs help cut costs by doing some of the jobs physicians traditionally would do.
Growth: 60 Openings per year.
Physicians & Surgeons: Diagnose, treat and prevent disease and injury to patients. Surgeons also use invasive methods to treat ailments. Employment currently: 7,390. Best fits into Interest Profile: IRS (Click Here, to determine you interest profile).
Wages: Low End: $70.00+ Mid Range: $70.00+ High End: $70.00+
Education: 8-Year Professional Degree: 4-Year degree and 4 years of medical school. Residency and licensure is required as well.
Job Outlook: Very Good: More demand in rural areas and in family practice. Competition is fierce for openings.
Growth: 240 Openings per year.
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