Registered Nurse
The field of registered nursing is one of the most in demand health care positions in the industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, registered nurses are required to have a college nursing degree. It is also mandatory that they pass a national licensing exam. Since many hospitals are no longer offering outpatient procedures, more and more doctor's offices are in need of RNs. In order to be a nurse, you must think quick and possess leadership skills, have professional judgment and have empathy and emotional stability. The median salary for registered nurses in 2009 was $62,450 annually.
Physical Therapist
It has been noted that between 2008 and 2018, the physical therapy field is said to grow by 30 percent, which is much faster than averages of other health care occupations. In order to become a physical therapist, it is required that you obtain a graduate degree from a school that is accredited. In most cases, you will have to be in school for two years or more to receive a master's degree and for a doctoral degree, you will have to be in school for three years. Some decide to choose a specialty in the field. As a physical therapist, you could end up working in a variety of settings, including clinics, doctor offices, schools, long-term care facilities and hospitals. In some instances, physical therapists have been employed in private practices. In this field, you will have to have strong communication skills and desire to help patients. The average annual salary for physical therapists was $72,790.
Physician Assistant
PAs, or physician assistants, are supervised by physicians while they practice medicine. Between 2008 and 2018, it has been predicted that this field will grow by 39 percent. To work in any state in this field, you will have to complete a formal education program within an accredited school. It is also required that you pass a national exam for state licensing. Once you complete the coursework required and pass, you will gain credentials as a physician assistant-certified. One hundred hours of coursework is required to completed every two years for continuing education requirements.
The duties of a physician assistant are given by the supervising physician and the laws of the state. During training, physician assistants learn about diagnosing health conditions, ordering X-rays and prescribing therapy and medications. They are also responsible for recording medical histories, treating minor injuries and performing a variety of other medical tasks. As a Physician assistant, you are required to listen well, be very alert, empathetic and able to make the right decisions during emergencies. The average annual salary for this field in 2008 was $81,230.
Radiation Therapist
To become a radiation therapist, it is required that you acquire either a certificate, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in the field. In 33 states, it is required that you obtain a radiation therapy license. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that job opportunities for radiation therapist would increase by 27 percent between 2008 and 2018. In this field, you’ll be working with cancer patients, so it is important that you always have a calm attitude and helpful demeanor. You are also required to pay close attention to detail, when it comes to dealing with patient records, and stand on your feet for long periods of time. Linear accelerator machines are used for monitoring the treatment of cancer patients. It is important that safety measures are taken to ensure that personnel and patients aren’t exposed to radiation. As a radiation therapist, you could work in treatment clinics and hospitals as part of an oncology team. The average salary of radiation therapists in 2008 was $72,910 annually.
