Health Care

Key Points

• Employment is projected to grow much faster than average.
• Physical therapist assistants should have very good job prospects; on the other hand, aides may face keen competition from the large pool of qualified applicants.
• Aides usually learn skills on the job, while physical therapist assistants have an associate degree; most States require licensing for assistants.
• Most jobs are in offices of other health practitioners and in hospitals.

• Job opportunities are expected to be excellent because of rapid growth in home healthcare and high replacement needs.
• Training requirements vary from State to State, the type of home services agency, and funding source covering the costs of services.
• Many of these workers work part time and weekends or evenings to suit the needs of their clients.

• Typical entry-level education for occupational therapist assistants is an associate degree; in contrast, occupational therapist aides usually receive their training on the job.
• Many States regulate the practice of occupational therapist assistants either by licensing, registration, or certification; requirements vary by State.
• Employment is projected to grow much faster than average as demand for occupational therapist services rises and as occupational therapists increasingly use assistants and aides.
• Job prospects should be very good for occupational therapist assistants; jobseekers holding only a high school diploma might face keen competition for occupational therapist aide jobs.

Key Points

• Employment is expected to grow much faster than average.
• Job opportunities will be best for technologists who are certified and for those who are willing to relocate.
• Training programs last 9 to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree.
• Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer, although much faster employment growth is expected in other healthcare industries.

Key Points

• Employment is projected to grow faster than average; those with knowledge of more than one diagnostic imaging procedure will have the best employment opportunities.
• Formal training programs in radiography are offered in hospitals or colleges and universities and lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree.
• Most States require licensure, and requirements vary.
• Although hospitals will remain the primary employer, a number of new jobs will be found in physicians' offices and diagnostic imaging centers.

Key Points

• Job opportunities are expected to be good, especially for those with certification or previous work experience.
• Many technicians and aides work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• About 75 percent of jobs were in a retail setting.

• Employers increasingly prefer dispensing opticians to complete certification or graduate from an accredited 2-year associate’s degree program in opticianry; some large employers may provide an apprenticeship.
• A license to practice is required by 22 States.
• Employment growth is projected to be average and reflect the steady demand for corrective lenses and fashionable eyeglass frames.
• Job opportunities are likely to be very good.

Key Points

• Keen competition is expected for most positions.
• Technologists with training in multiple diagnostic methods, or in nuclear cardiology, should have the best prospects.
• Nuclear medicine technology programs range in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree.
• About 66 percent of nuclear medicine technologists work in hospitals.

Key Points

• Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average.
• Job prospects should be very good, particularly for technicians with strong computer software skills.
• Entrants usually have an associate degree.
• This is one of the few health-related occupations in which there is no direct hands-on patient care.

• Most training programs last about 1 year and are offered by vocational or technical schools or community or junior colleges.
• Overall job prospects are expected to be very good, but job outlook varies by industry.
• Replacement needs will be a major source of job openings, as many workers leave the occupation permanently.