Health Care Human Resource Management

The healthcare industry is one of the largest employers in the United States and employs more than 3% of the U.S. workforce. There are approximately 200 health occupations and professions in a workforce of more than 12 million healthcare workers. By 2030, the percentage of the population that is 65 years and older will increase from the current 6% to 10% of the total population, which will place pressure on the healthcare system (National Center for Health Statistics, 2008). Because of the aging of our population, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that health care will generate more than 3 million new jobs by 2018 (BLS, 2011a). When one thinks of healthcare providers, one automatically thinks of physicians and nurses. However, the healthcare industry is composed of many different health services professionals, such as dentists, optometrists, psychologists, chiropractors, podiatrists, non-physician practitioners (NPPs), administrators, and allied health professionals. Allied health professionals, who represent 60% of the healthcare workforce, provide a range of essential healthcare services that complement the services provided by physicians and nurses (Shi & Singh, 2008).

Health care can occur in varied settings. Many physicians have their own practices, but they may also work in hospitals, mental health facilities, managed care organizations, or community health centers. They may also hold government positions, teach at a university, or be employed by an insurance company. Health professionals, in general, may work at many different for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. However, hospitals employ 35% of all healthcare employees (BLS, 2011b). In most states, only physicians, dentists, and a few other practitioners may serve patients directly without the authorization of another licensed independent health professional. Those categories authorized include chiropractic, optometry, psychotherapy, and podiatry. There also continues to be a shortage of nurses nationwide. It is projected that nursing shortages will continue to lag 36% behind nursing staffing needs (Bradley, 2008). It is the responsibility of the human resources (HR) department to be aware of the different types of healthcare jobs in the industry. When employees transfer within an organization or decide to change their healthcare career goals, their main resource is the HR department. This chapter will provide a description of the different types of healthcare jobs, their educational requirements, job responsibilities and average salaries, and their roles in the healthcare system.

Physician Education

Physicians play a major role in providing healthcare services. Physicians diagnose and treat patient illnesses. All states require a license to practice medicine. Physicians must receive their medical education from an accredited school that awards either a doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree. Many students prepare for medical school by majoring in a premedical undergraduate program, which often consists of science and mathematics. Undergraduate students are also required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). In 2008, there existed 129 accredited U.S. medical schools that awarded the doctor of medicine degree (BLS, 2011c). To provide direct patient care, the physician must take a licensing examination in the desired state of practice once he or she completes a residency. State licensing requirements may vary. The residency is important because it allows physicians to learn about a certain specialty of interest while providing them with on-the-job training. The length of the residency program can be as short as 3 years for a family practice and as long as 10 years for different surgery specialties. There exist residency programs that are hospital based, community based, and university affiliated. The American Medical Association has an online database of all accredited residency programs by state and location. Most states require physicians to participate in continuing medical education activities to maintain state licensure (Sultz & Young, 2006; Buchbinder & Shanks, 2007; Pointer et al., 2008; Shi & Singh, 2008).

In 2008, there existed only 25 accredited medical schools that conferred the DO degree (BLS, 2011d). Their enrollment, however, has doubled over the past 20 years. DOs represent approximately 5% of all U.S. physicians (Sultz & Young, 2006). The major difference between an MD and a DO is in their approaches to treatment. DOs tend to stress preventive treatments and use a holistic approach to treatment, which means they do not focus only on the disease but on the entire person. Most DOs are generalists. MDs use an allopathic approach, which means MDs actively intervene in attacking and eradicating disease and focus their efforts on the disease. Most MDs are considered specialists (Pointer et al., 2008; Shi & Singh, 2008).

 Generalists and Specialists

Generalists are also called primary care physicians. Family care practitioners are also called generalists, as are general internal medicine physicians and general pediatricians. Their focus is preventive services such as immunizations and health examinations. They treat less severe medical problems. They often serve as a gatekeeper for a patient, which means they coordinate patient care if the patient needs to see a specialist for more complex medical problems. Specialists are physicians who receive a certification in their area of specialization. This may require additional years of training, as discussed earlier, and board certification, or a credentialing examination.The most common specialties are dermatology, cardiology, pediatrics, pathology, psychiatry, obstetrics, anesthesiology, specialized internal medicine, gynecology, ophthalmology, radiology, and surgery (Shi & Singh, 2008). The board certification is often associated with the quality of the healthcare provider’s services because board certification requires more training. A consumer may view a physician’s credentials in the National Practitioner Data Bank. This database was created to provide a nationwide system to prohibit incompetent healthcare practitioners from moving state-to-state without disclosure of any previous adverse issues (Buchbinder & Shanks, 2007).

 Types of Healthcare Providers

Hospitalists

A hospitalist is a physician that provides care to hospitalized patients. The hospitalist replaces a patient’s primary care physician while the patient is hospitalized. A hospitalist monitors the patient from admittance to discharge and usually does not have a professional relationship with the patient prior to admittance. This new type of physician, which evolved in the 1990s, is usually a general practitioner and is becoming more popular: Because the hospitalist spends so much time in the hospital setting, he or she can provide care that is more efficient. From a hospital’s viewpoint, the focus is maximization of profit, which means shorter lengths of stay, decreased complications, and increased patient satisfaction (Sultz & Young, 2006). There are approximately 12,000 hospitalists in the United States, a number that is expected to triple by 2015. Although they are not board certified as a specialty, they have their own medical journal, annual meetings, and association. This concept has proved to be very effective (Shi & Singh, 2008).

Non-physician Practitioners

Non-physician practitioners (NPPs), which include non-physician clinicians and mid-level practitioners, are sometimes called physician extenders because they often are used as substitutes for physicians. They are not involved in total care of a patient, but they collaborate closely with physicians. Categories of NPPs include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse practitioners (Shi & Singh, 2008). NPPs have been favorably received by patients because they tend to spend more time with patients. They play an important role in areas that have physician shortages such as certain urban areas, community health centers, and the managed care environment. NPPs can perform repetitive technical tasks such as disease screenings. They may also take care of non–life-threatening cases in emergency departments and perform physicals, drug testing, and other routine activities. Their salaries are nearly 50% less than physician salaries, so they are a cost-effective patient caregiver. As NPPs become more involved in patient care, reimbursement for their services should be addressed. At this time, reimbursement is usually directed toward their collaborating physician, which often results in payment delays. As the roles of NPPs increase in patient care because of cost-cutting measures by healthcare organizations, regulations and guidelines must be updated and maintained to ensure high-quality patient care by NPPs (Shi & Singh, 2008).

Physician Assistants

Physician assistants (PAs), a category of NPP, provide a range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients. They take medical histories, conduct patient examinations, analyze tests, make diagnoses, and perform basic medical procedures. They are able to prescribe medicines in all but three states. They must be associated with and supervised by a physician, but the supervision does not need to be direct. In areas where there is a physician shortage, PAs act as primary care providers. They collaborate with physicians by telephone and on-site visits. There are 129 accredited 2-year PA programs in the United States. Many students have previous healthcare experience. They are required to pass a national certification exam. They may take additional education in surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, primary care, and occupational medicine. The average yearly PA salary is $65,000. Their employment growth is expected to be 40% by 2018 (BLS, 2011e).

 Types of Nurses

Registered nurses constitute the largest group of healthcare professionals. Nurses provide the majority of care to patients, accounting for 26% of the U.S. workforce (BLS, 2011f). They are the patient’s advocate. There are several different types of nurses that provide patient care, and there are several different levels of nursing care based on education and training. The following sections summarize the various types of nurses.

Licensed Practical Nurses or Licensed Vocational Nurses (California and Texas)

There are approximately 700,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the United States, and they represent the largest group of nurses. Education for LPNs is offered by community colleges or technical schools. Training takes approximately 12–14 months and includes both education and supervised clinical practice. There are 1,100 LPN programs in the United States. LPNs have a high school diploma and take a licensing exam. The yearly LPN salary is approximately $29,000. Their job responsibilities include observing patients, taking vital signs, keeping records, assisting patients with personal hygiene, and feeding and dressing patients, which are considered activities of daily living (ADLs). In some states, LPNs administer some medications. They work primarily in hospitals, home health agencies, and nursing homes. Many LPNs work full-time and earn their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to increase their career choices (BLS, 2011b).

Registered Nurses

There are approximately 2.5 million registered nurses (RNs) in the United States, and they represent the largest healthcare occupation, with greater than 55% working in hospitals. An RN is a graduate trained nurse who has been licensed by a state board after passing the national nursing examination. RNs can be registered in more than one state, and there are different levels of RN based on education.

The associate degree in nursing (ADN) is a 2-year program offered by community colleges and some 4-year universities. Many students obtain an ADN and continue their education to receive a BSN degree. There are also 3-year diploma programs for ADNs, which are offered by hospitals. The programs are expensive and are being offered less often. There are approximately 70 diploma programs left in the United States.

The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is the most rigorous of the nursing programs. These programs offered by colleges and universities usually take 4–5 years to complete, and the students perform both classroom activity and clinical practice activity. Their job responsibilities include recording symptoms of any disease, implementing care plans, assisting physicians in examination and treatment of patients, administering medications and performing medical procedures, supervising other personnel such as LPNs, and educating patients and families about follow-up care. The majority of RNs work in hospitals, and the average annual income for these individuals is $62,000 but varies depending on the level of education.

The advanced practical nurse (APN), or midlevel practitioner, is a nurse who has experience and education beyond the requirements of an RN. The responsibilities of an APN exist between those of the RN and MD, which is why they are called midlevel practitioners. APNs typically obtain a master of science in nursing with a specialty in the field of practice. There are four areas of specialization: clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, and certified nurse midwife. Many of these certifications allow a nurse to provide direct care including writing of prescriptions (BLS, 2011e).

Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse Midwives

As stated earlier, NPPs are integral to the provision of quality health care in the United States. Nurse practitioners(NPs) represent the largest category of APNs. The first group of NPs was trained in 1965 at the University of Colorado. In 1974, the American Nursing Association developed the Council of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, which helped substantiate the role of NPs in patient care. Over the past two decades, several specialty NP boards have been established, such as pediatrics and reproductive health, for certification of NPs. In 1985, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners was established as a professional organization for NPs. The median salary of a nurse practitioner is $89,899. As of 2007, there were approximately 120,000 practicing NPs with an average of 6,000 NPs receiving training at more than 325 educational institutions (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2008). They are required to obtain an RN and a master’s degree. They may participate in a certificate program and complete direct patient care clinical training. NPs emphasize health education and promotion as well as disease treatment—referred to as care and cure. They spend more time with patients, and, as a result, patient surveys indicate satisfaction with care from NPs. They may specialize in pediatric, family, geriatric, or psychiatric care. Most states allow NPs to prescribe medications. Recent statistics indicate that 600 million visits are made to NPs annually (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2008).

Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are RNs who have graduated from a nurse midwifery education program that has been accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives’ Division of Accreditation. Nurse midwives are primary care providers for women who are pregnant. Nurse midwives have been practicing in the United States for nearly 90 years. They must pass the national certification exam to receive the designation of CNM, and they must be recertified every 8 years. The average annual salary is $91,535. Certified midwives (CMs) are individuals who do not have a nursing degree but have a related health background. They must take the midwifery education program, which is accredited by the same organization. They must also pass the same national certification exam to be given the designation of CM. The average annual salary for a CM is $61,000 (BLS, 2011e).

Certified Nursing Assistants or Aides

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are unlicensed patient attendants who work under the supervision of physicians and nurses. They answer patient call bells and assist patients in personal hygiene, bed change, meal orders, and ADLs. Most CNAs are employed by nursing care facilities. There are approximately 1.5 million CNAs in the healthcare industry. They are required to receive 75 hours of training and are required to pass a competency examination. Their average pay is extremely low. The annual median salary is $28,368. They are often overlooked for advancement, and therefore there is a high turnover in their field (Pointer, Williams, Isaacs & Knickman, 2007; Shi & Singh, 2008).

 Nursing Shortages

Although nursing supply and demand is cyclical, during recent years there has continued to be a nursing shortage. The current shortage began a decade ago, making it the longest shortage in 50 years. According to the BLS, employment of RNs will increase by 22% by 2016. Without recruitment for nursing programs, the Health and Human Services Administration projects the supply of U.S. nurses will lag 36% behind nursing staffing needs (Bradley, 2008). Although community colleges have developed quality nursing programs nationally, there is increased pressure for students to obtain additional nursing education. One reason why there is a shortage of nursing personnel is the lack of qualified nursing faculty available. Unlike faculty members in other disciplines who generally have doctorates, approximately 50% of faculty members in BSN and advanced degree programs do not hold a doctorate. Many nursing faculty members leave for wage increases in the clinical and private sectors. The average yearly salary for a member of a nursing faculty is $62,000. NPs who own their own practices earn an average of $94,000 per year (Yordy, 2006).

 Other Independent Healthcare Professionals

Dentists

Dentists prevent, diagnose, and treat tooth, gum, and mouth diseases. They are required to complete 4 years of education at an accredited dental school after a bachelor’s degree has been completed. In 2008, there were 57 accredited dental schools. Dentists are awarded a doctor of dental surgery or doctor of dental medicine degree. Some states may require a specialty license. The first 2 years of dental school are focused on dental sciences, and the last 2 years are spent in a clinical environment. Dentists may take an additional 2–4 years of postgraduate education in eight different specialties. There are nearly 140,000 dentists in the United States—more than 90% are in private practice and are primarily general practitioners. The average annual income for dentists is $143,000 (BLS, 2011f). Dental practices are not part of a managed care environment. Dentists only serve those who have dental insurance or who can pay out of pocket. There are sections of underserved populations that will continue to be underserved because there is no industry priority to target those populations (Sultz & Young, 2006).

Dentists are often helped by dental hygienists and dental assistants. Dental hygienists clean teeth and educate patients on proper dental care. In order to practice, dental hygienists must be licensed, which requires graduation from an accredited dental hygienist school and passing of both national and state licensing exams. Dental assistants work directly with dentists in the preparation and treatment of patients. They do not have to be licensed, but there are certification programs available (BLS, 2011a).

Pharmacists

Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing prescribed medication. They also advise both patients and healthcare providers about potential side effects of medications. Pharmacists must earn a PharmD degree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy, which has replaced the bachelor of pharmacy degree. To be admitted to a PharmD program, an applicant must complete at least 2 years of postsecondary study, although most applicants have completed 3 or more years, which include courses in mathematics and natural sciences. In 2007, 92 colleges and schools of pharmacy were accredited to confer degrees. There are approximately 70 U.S. pharmacy schools that confer the PharmD degree. The students who complete the PharmD degree may opt to complete 1- to 2-year residencies or fellowships that are designed for those who want specialized pharmaceutical training. Pharmacists who want to work in a clinical setting are often required to complete a residency.

In 2008, there were nearly 270,000 active U.S. pharmacists—approximately 60% of them working in community pharmacies. Approximately 25% of pharmacists work in hospitals, with the remaining 15% working in physicians’ offices, mail order and Internet pharmacies, nursing homes, and the federal government. In 2008, the mean annual salary for a pharmacist was $106,000 (BLS, 2011g).

Allied Health Professionals

In the early 20th century, healthcare providers consisted of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and optometrists. As the healthcare industry evolved with increased use of technology and sophisticated interventions, increased time demands were placed on these healthcare providers. As a result, a broader spectrum of healthcare professionals evolved with skills that complemented those of the primary healthcare providers. These allied health professionals assist physicians and nurses in providing care to their patients. They provide both direct and indirect patient care. There are 5 million allied health professionals in the United States who work in 80 different professions and represent nearly 60% of the healthcare workforce (Allied Health Professions Overview, 2012). The impact of technology has increased the number of different specialties available. They can be divided into four main categories: laboratory technologists and technicians, therapeutic science practitioners, behavioral scientists, and support services (Association of Schools of Allied Health Professionals, 2009).

Laboratory technologists and technicians have a major role in diagnosing disease, assessing the impact of interventions, and applying highly technical procedures. Examples of this category include radiologic technology and nuclear medicine technology. Therapeutic science practitioners focus on the rehabilitation of patients with diseases and injuries. Examples of this category include physical therapists, radiation therapists, respiratory therapists, dieticians, and dental hygienists. Behavioral scientists such as social workers and rehabilitation counselors provide social, psychological, and community and patient educational activities (Sultz & Young, 2006). This chapter cannot describe all allied health professional and support services programs, but a list of accredited allied health careers will be discussed.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits 2,000 U.S. education programs that offer more than 20 allied health specialties. This section will provide a brief summary of the different accredited allied health education programs that contribute to the provision of quality health care. This information was obtained from the CAAHEP website (CAAHEP, 2011a).

Medical Assistant

Supervised by physicians, the medical assistant must have the ability to multitask. More than 60% of medical assistants work in medical offices and clinics. They perform both administrative and clinical duties. Medical assistants are employed by physicians more than any other allied health assistant. In 2006, their average entry-level salary was $27,000 per year. Their education consists of an associate’s degree or a certificate or diploma program (CAAHEP, 2011k).

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists—also known as respiratory care practitioners—evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Respiratory therapists interview patients, perform limited physical examinations, and conduct diagnostic tests.

Hospitals account for the vast majority of job openings, but a growing number of openings will arise in other settings. An associate’s degree is the minimum educational requirement, but a bachelor’s or master’s degree may be important for advancement. All states except Alaska and Hawaii require respiratory therapists to be licensed. An associate’s degree is required to become a respiratory therapist. Training is offered at the postsecondary level by colleges and universities, medical schools, vocational-technical institutes, and the Armed Forces. Most programs award associate’s or bachelor’s degrees and prepare graduates for jobs as advanced respiratory therapists. According to the CAAHEP, 31 entry-level and 346 advanced respiratory therapy programs were accredited in the United States in 2008. About 81% of jobs were in hospitals, mainly in departments of respiratory care, anesthesiology, or pulmonary medicine. Much faster than average growth is projected for respiratory therapists. Job opportunities should be very good. The median annual wage of respiratory therapists was $52,200 in 2008 (Respiratory Care Therapist, 2011).

Health Services Administrator

Health services administrators can be found at all levels of a healthcare organization. They manage hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, community health centers, and other healthcare facilities. At the top of the organization, they are responsible for strategic planning and the overall success of the organization. They are responsible for financial, clinical, and operational outcomes of an organization (Shi & Singh, 2008). Midlevel administrators also play a leadership role in departments and are responsible for managing their areas of responsibility. They may manage departments or individual programs. Administrators at all levels work with executive-level administration to achieve organizational goals. As healthcare costs continue to increase, it is important for health service administrators to focus on efficiency and effectiveness at all levels of management. Health services administration is taught at both the undergraduate and master’s degree levels. The most common undergraduate degree is a degree in healthcare administration. Depending on the level of the administration position within an organization, a master’s degree may be required. Undergraduate degrees may be acceptable for entry-level management positions. Salaries vary by administration level. Their average annual salary is $73,000 but varies depending on level of responsibility and size of the organization. Employment is expected to grow 16% by 2016. Approximately 40% of hospitals employ health services administrators. The most common master’s degrees are the master of health services administration (MHA), master of business administration (MBA) with a healthcare emphasis, or a master of public health (MPH). The MHA or MBA degree provides a business-oriented education that health administrators need for managing healthcare organizations. However, an MPH degree provides insight into the importance of public health as an integral component of our healthcare system (BLS, 2011b).

Other Allied Health Professionals (Non–CAAHEP Accredited)

Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer in the human body. As part of a medical radiation oncology team, radiation therapists use machines called linear accelerators to administer radiation treatment to patients. Radiation therapists work in hospitals or in cancer treatment centers. A bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or certificate in radiation therapy generally is required. Many states require radiation therapists to be licensed, and most employers require certification. With experience, therapists can advance to managerial positions. Employers usually require applicants to complete an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program in radiation therapy. Individuals also may become qualified by completing an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program in radiography, which is the study of radiological imaging, and then completing a 12-month certificate program in radiation therapy.

In 2009, there were 102 radiation therapy programs in the United States that were accredited by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Employment is expected to increase much faster than the average, and job prospects should be good. Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow by 27% between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage of radiation therapists was $72,910 in 2008 (Radiation Therapists, 2012).

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients and then monitor the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs in which the drugs localize. Nuclear medicine technologists operate cameras that detect and map the radioactive drug in a patient’s body to create diagnostic images. Nuclear medicine technology programs range in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree. Many employers and an increasing number of states require certification or licensure. Aspiring nuclear medicine technologists should check the requirements of the state in which they plan to work. Generally, certificate programs are offered in hospitals, associate’s degree programs in community colleges, and bachelor’s degree programs in 4-year colleges and universities.

One-year certificate programs are typically for health professionals who already possess an associate’s or bachelor’s degree—especially radiologic technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers—but who wish to specialize in nuclear medicine.

The Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology accredits associate’s and bachelor’s degree training programs in nuclear medicine technology. In 2008, there were more than 100 accredited programs available. In spite of growth in nuclear medicine, the number of openings in the occupation each year will be relatively low. Job competition will be keen because the supply of properly trained nuclear medicine technologists is expected to exceed the number of job openings for technologists. The median annual wage of nuclear medicine technologists was $66,660 in 2008 (Nuclear Medicine Technologist, 2011).

Clinical Laboratory Technologist

Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technologists, also referred to as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists, and clinical laboratory technicians, also known as medical technicians or medical laboratory technicians, perform most of these tests. Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood that show how a patient is responding to treatment. Clinical laboratory technologists generally require a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or in one of the life sciences; clinical laboratory technicians usually need an associate’s degree or a certificate. The usual requirement for an entry-level position as a clinical laboratory technologist is a bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences; however, it is possible to qualify for some jobs with a combination of education and on-the-job and specialized training. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) fully accredits about 479 programs for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, medical and clinical laboratory technicians, histotechnologists and histotechnicians, cytogenetic technologists, and diagnostic molecular scientists. NAACLS also approves about 60 programs in phlebotomy and clinical assisting. Rapid job growth and excellent job opportunities are expected. Most jobs will continue to be in hospitals, but employment will grow rapidly in other settings as well. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow by 14% between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage of medical and clinical laboratory technologists was $53,500 in 2008 (Clinical Laboratory Technologists, 2011).

 Conclusion

Healthcare personnel represent one of the largest labor forces in the United States. This chapter provided an overview of the different types of employees in the healthcare industry. Some of these positions require many years of education; however, others can be achieved through 1- to 2-year education programs. There are more than 200 occupations and professions among the more than 14 million healthcare workers in the United States (Sultz & Young, 2006). The healthcare industry will continue to progress as the U.S. trends in demographics, disease, and public health patterns change and as cost and efficiency issues, insurance issues, technological influences, and economic factors continue to evolve. More occupations and professions will develop as a result of these trends.

The major trend that will affect the healthcare industry is the aging of the U.S. population. The BLS predicts that half of the next decade’s fastest growing jobs will be in the healthcare industry. Physician extenders and allied healthcare professionals will continue to play an increasing role in the provision of health care. This chapter contains information for the HR department in any healthcare organization that may be used to provide career education for employees. There were several career choices discussed in this chapter that may provide an opportunity for an existing employee to work in another department or organization. Organizations may provide education reimbursement for quality employees in return for an extended employment contract.

References