Seeking training is a big decision. You might find yourself with a thousand questions running through your head.
Am I going to be able to find a job? Can I afford this? Is this the right decision for me?
If you’re at a crossroads, deciding your next career move can feel paralyzing. But WorkSource has tons of local employment data and a staff full of professionals who can talk you through your career change, so that when you’re ready, you can be confident in your big decision.
Business Navigator Karin LaValla works extensively with healthcare employers in the Southwest Washington region. “Post-COVID, healthcare employers are still seeking to fill patient-facing positions that were vacated during the pandemic,” she says. “This means that healthcare roles are in high demand across the entire industry.”
So, we know healthcare positions are in demand. But how do you get your foot in the door?
O*NET Online is an online career tool sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor that gives in-depth information on the education requirements (and more!) for a wide range of occupations. For those looking to gather up-to-date information before a career change, it can be an incredibly useful tool.
We searched O*NET to find in-demand healthcare professions that can be a great starting point for those looking to enter the industry.
Read on to learn more about what kind of positions are in-demand right now—and at the end we’ll tell you how you can find out if WorkSource can help pay for your training!
5. Medical Assistant
Average annual salary: $49,850
Education: Vocational school or associate’s degree
Description: Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
4. Dental Assistant
Average annual salary: $60,050
Education: Vocational school or associate’s degree
Description: Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
3. Pharmacy Technician
Average annual salary: $51,530
Education: Vocational school or associate’s degree
Description: Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.
2. Nursing Assistant
Average annual salary: $46,420
Education: Vocational school or associate’s degree
Description: Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants.
1. Registered Nurse
Average annual salary: $116,850
Education: 4 year degree
Description: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Now that you’ve taken a look at these in-demand positions, you may be wondering: how do I start?
WorkSource can help eligible job seekers pay for their short-term training. For longer term trainings like Registered Nursing, we could potentially pay for the last quarter of your degree program—making a potentially expensive career change a lot more affordable!
If you’re interested in getting started with a career in healthcare, then reach out to your local center’s representative.
In Clark County, contact Krishna Banerjee at krishna.banerjee@esd.wa.gov or call at 360.735.5122.
For residents of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, contact Rikki Smick at rikki.smick@esd.wa.gov or call at 360.578.4227.
WorkSource is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service 711.
This program receives support and funding from a U.S. Department of Labor grant(s) provided through Workforce Southwest Washington. Read more about WSW federal funding at WSW Funding Disclosures: https://workforcesw.org/federal-funding-disclosure
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