Is Health Care Job Training a Fix for Unemployment?

You’ll still have to compete for a health care job.

You can’t just plunk down your tuition money, pass a few classes, and start cashing in. But you can improve your employment odds.

The health care sector is still adding jobs, even in the midst of hard economic times. The Altarum Institute reports (using Bureau of Labor Statistics data) that health care employment grew 5.5 percent between December 2007 and September 2010—during the lowest lows of the recession.*

That may not seem very impressive. But considering that employment in non-health care jobs fell by 6.8 percent during that same time, it puts things in perspective.

The Altarum Institute also offers a word of caution. During a recession, health care jobs often see a delayed downturn. In fact, some recent graduates have found themselves in a too-crowded job market. This is perhaps because of a sudden influx of degree-holders in a particular specialty or because employers lacked the confidence to hire in an uncertain time.

Don’t rush out and enroll in the fastest training program available. Going back to school is a decision that deserves some thought:

• Look at current job listings to learn what kinds of health care jobs are available in your area
   
• Talk to employers about staffing needs and insight they have about future needs
   
• Ask schools about enrollment and graduation rates
   
• Research industry trends and technology changes that may impact future employment

Even health care careers aren’t immune to economic hard times. But there are many factors that still bode well for the future of health care employment.

Things are looking up. In the first three months of 2011, medical practices more than tripled their hiring rates over the same period in 2010, according to American Medical News.

Here are more reasons you can feel secure about getting a health care education:

• Health services are a necessity, not a luxury, so there will always be demand
   
• The U.S. population is aging, which means more people will need health care
   
• Medical facilities are hiring more physician assistants, nurses and other workers to do routine patient care
   
• The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) says the number of physicians is growing and that each one requires an average of 4.5 support staff
   
• Recent health care reform will increase the number of people with insurance, which will increase the demand for medical services and health care workers

Overall, the outlook for health care careers is positive.

_{*The recession officially lasted from December 2007 to June 2009.}