The healthcare job market is beyond hot right now. The American Hospital Association (AHA) reports that between 2019 and 2020:
- Job openings for nurses increased by 30%
- Job openings for respiratory therapists increased by 31%
- There are critical shortages of behavioral health workers
Additionally, the AHA predicts there will be a shortage of up to 3.2 million healthcare workers by 2026. All of these numbers lead us to one big conclusion: There has never been a better time to consider your healthcare job options. Whether you’re a skilled nurse or in housekeeping, a credentialed care provider, or a nurse’s aide, it’s a worker’s market. Here’s how to benefit from today’s healthcare worker shortage.
Tap into a Hot Healthcare Market
From entry-level to highly skilled, you can get a job in healthcare. The healthcare field is booming. The industry offers outstanding stability and the potential for upward mobility. The industry is growing in large part because of the aging of a majority of the U.S. population. Baby boomers, who now make up more than 60 million of us, are now in their senior years. This has driven demand for healthcare service through the roof—and that was before COVID kicked in.
It’s not just jobs in hospitals that are widely available, either. From pharmacies to urgent cares, home health to insurance companies, all have jobs open now. There are dozens of types of roles in the healthcare field that don’t require a bachelor’s degree. This includes:
- Phone operators
- Receptionists/greeters
- Administrative assistants
- Case management associates
- Lab aides
- Patient sitters
- Cooks
Where does that leave you if you’re in the healthcare field or seeking to enter it? Here are some things you should know:
- Many future vacancies in the field will come in areas where there is a low barrier to entry, such as home healthcare, medical transcriptionists, and housekeeping.
- If you’re a high school graduate, consider a certification in a healthcare specialty that appeals to you. The chances are high you’ll find a lucrative opportunity in the coming years.
- Skilled workers, pay attention: Hospitals are offering big perks to get you in the door. In 2021, Business Insider reported one facility was paying up to $40,000 in signing bonuses to experienced nurses.
- But that’s not all for nurses; The Wall Street Journal reports traveling nurses make twice as much today as they did before the pandemic.
- It’s not just clinical professionals or entry-level staff that are in demand in the healthcare space. If you’re in IT, the healthcare technology sector is booming, in large part because most hospital equipment, such as electronic medical records and billing platforms, are all digital. From data analysts to computer programmers to cybersecurity experts, there are plenty of jobs available.
Pay and bonuses aside, the room for growth in the healthcare field is outstanding. Most organizations offer tuition reimbursement and sponsorship. For example, nurses who only have associates degrees can often find health systems that offer programs to help them earn a more advanced nursing degree.
Benefits-wise, healthcare offers some amazing opportunities. Retirement benefits are excellent in most healthcare organizations. Not to mention the fact that most healthcare organizations offer some of the best, lowest-cost insurance packages of any industry.
If you’re ready for your next healthcare placement, get in touch with AG Globe Services today! Click here to check out our jobs and get ready to make your mark.
