10 Recession Proof Healthcare Careers

During bad economic times, the medical field has always been a secure place to be. However, the current recession has led to some major employment changes that have given some healthcare positions an upper hand. Here are 10 recession-proof healthcare careers:

• Medical and Health Services Manager
  Medical and health services managers, also known as healthcare administrators or healthcare executives, plan, direct and oversee the delivery of healthcare in entire facilities or specific clinical departments. Medical and health services managers have withstood the recession because all healthcare settings need management and direction.
• Registered Nurse
  Despite the recession, registered nurses are still in high demand. People will continue to get sick, if not sicker, during bad economic times, causing a growing need for generalized and specialized registered nurses to treat the ill. Registered nurses are also needed to balance the expanding population and increasing life expectancy of the elderly. RNs have great job security, favorable pay and plenty of room for advancement opportunities.
• Physicians and Surgeon
  Despite the health care reform and changes to the health care system, physicians and surgeons have maintained their spot as a recession-proof career. Physicians and surgeons are the most direct leaders in health care, and will continue to be needed because of their expertise, knowledge and training in treating the ill.
• Physical Therapist
  Physical therapists have withstood the recession because of their specific training and specialized area of care. People have continued to seek physical therapists’ services because of chronic pain, injuries and rehabilitation needs.
• Dental Hygienist
  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienist is one of the fastest growing occupations today. Even in bad economic times, people will still need teeth cleanings, oral exams and dental services, in which the dental hygienist is a big part of.
• Pharmacist
  Pharmacy is another area of health care that has survived the recession. Along with treating the ill, pharmacists are needed to administer medications to those who are sick. Their specialized training and knowledge in pharmacology makes them an important, irreplaceable aspect of the health care system.
• Physician Assistant
  Physician assistants have a less obvious, but extremely important role in the health care system. They are responsible for providing diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services under the direction of a physician, as well as recordkeeping, interpreting laboratory tests and taking patients’ medical histories. Physician assistants have survived the recession because of their importance to physicians and delivery of effective health care.
• Occupational Therapist
  Like other specialized therapy services, occupational therapists have withstood the recession because of their specific training in treating patients with mentally, physically, developmentally or emotionally disabling conditions and helping them perform tasks in living and working settings. With the growing understanding of disabilities and physical conditions, more people are seeking the care of occupational therapists who can help them learn or regain everyday living and working skills.
• Health Educator
  The field of health education continues to be an important factor of the health care system. From educating the community on health care topics to teaching medical students, health educators play a direct role in health care awareness and preparing future health care professionals.
• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
  Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors have survived the recession because of their specialized area of care. As people become more aware about addiction and behavioral disorders, they have begun seeking professional treatment to help cope with their condition, therefore, increasing the need for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.

Filed under: Healthcare Administration

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