As global population and life expectancies continue to swell, the need for healthcare institutions and professionals will undoubtedly, rise. Healthcare will always continue to be in demand and will generate careers with rewarding compensations, plenty of benefits and opportunities for growth. While medical technologies such as automation, AI and global connectivity could optimise the need for doctors, the human touch that nurses offer can never be replaced.
A 10-year projection report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that from 2014 to 2024, the healthcare sector is expected to have the fastest employment growth rate as compared to any other industry.
Unlike industries such as retail and hospitality which will be the first to sink in an economic recession, the healthcare sector assures career paths that are future proof. The healthcare sector continues to grow at a frenetic pace, with data from Indeed.com clearly showing that 47% of nursing vacancies are still hard to fill. The growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals is not matched by the supply and there is increasing deficit in the numbers of available workers, year on year.
Excited? Well, we have put together our curated list of the hottest healthcare jobs for the next 5 years (in no particular order!):
Individual Care Providers
With the ageing population in developed countries on the rise, the demand for Individual Support workers is increasing as well. As the elder population enjoys better health, longevity and money, retired people who are comfortably off are looking for compassionate carers who can help them lead an assisted life with dignity. Many elderly people prefer to continue living in their own homes and require assistance with daily tasks in order to do so. Care providers who can look after them, either at home or in a Community Care centre, will always find plenty of career opportunities in countries such as Australia, UK, USA and New Zealand.
Early Childhood Workers
There is a steep uptick in growth expected for the early childhood education sector. Employment prospects for preschool teachers is slated to grow 10 per cent in the decade leading up to 2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Continued focus and awareness of the importance of early childhood education has led to this growth. Early childhood education has proven to be very critical in shaping a child’s short-and-long-term intellectual, emotional and social development. Parents who are aware of the benefits of appropriate out-of-home childcare are willing to pay a premium for all-round education for their little ones.
Registered Nurses
RNs continue to be in high demand, with a job outlook that is expected to grow 15 per cent between 2016-26. The median pay for qualified nurses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $71,730 per year, with the advantages that come with a challenging and fulfilling career that is always in demand. The demand for RNs, especially in developed countries such as the US and Australia, arises from an increased focus on preventive care. It is also due to the growing rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. As the baby boomer population ages, their demand for healthcare services has also been escalating, leading to the continued demand for skilled RNs across the globe.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists are expected to be very much sought after, with the growth rate in employment projected to be a staggering 28 per cent between the years 2016 and 2026. The ageing population may be prone to health conditions such as arthritis which will require physical therapy, and they will also be called upon to treat mobility issues stemming from diseases such diabetes or obesity. With a median pay of $87,930 in the year 2018, this is a very rewarding profession that helps you vastly improve the lives of the patients under your care.
Healthcare Assistants
The demand for healthcare assistants is also projected to intensify, as the supply of lower-skilled healthcare workers such as home health aides and nursing assistants is not adequate to meet the increasing requirements across hospitals and other medical institutions.
An analysis by Mercer shows that there will be an expected workforce gap in the nursing assistant segment in the US alone, of close to 1,00,000 workers.