Concorde Staff
**Editors note, updated Aug 2018 from a 2016 post with the most recent information
The medical field continues to be a fast-growing industry, and if you're looking for a new job, health care careers are an excellent option for your job search.
Despite difficult economic times, the health care industry continues to grow quickly, and jobs in the medical field are expected to grow 18% through 2026.
As Generation X begins having children and the baby boomer generation continues to age, the demand for medical professionals will only keep growing.
If you're planning to start a new career, the medical field is a great place to start your job search. Concorde Career Colleges offer committed students the education they need to enter the health care profession.
If you're trying to choose a good career that will serve you well in the future, here's a closer look at some of the hottest medical jobs for 2016.
1. REGISTERED NURSES
Registered nurses continue to be one of the hottest medical careers out there, especially since job opportunities are expected to be good with employment growth and need to replace retired workers.
By 2026, registered nurses are expected to generate more than 438,100 new jobs, not including the new jobs that will be available as nurses retire.
This is the perfect time to get a nursing degree since it's estimated that job growth will be 15 percent through 2026 which is faster than the average for all fields.
Nursing opportunities are available in nursing care facilities, physician's offices, outpatient care, general medicine hospitals, surgical hospitals, and home health care services.
2. PHYSICAL THERAPY PROFESSIONALS
The demand for physical therapists is also high, with an expected 67,100 new jobs coming available through 2026.
As the demand for Physical therapists grows, so too will the need for those who assist them. Physical therapy assistants (PTA) have the ability to work on many different patients, including the elderly, those dealing with general pain, and the disabled.
Physical therapy assistants are expected to see a 30 percent growth rate through 2026, according to the Bureau of lLabor statistics, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Not only do PTAs help patients become more able-bodied and stronger, they also impart knowledge of the body to patients.
Since the number of physical therapy jobs is greater than that of practicing physical therapists, it’s an excellent career choice to pursue in 2016.
3. DENTAL HYGIENIST
Although the work opportunities are more limited for a dental hygienist when compared to other health care careers, it's still a field that has a high rate of job growth which is expected to be 20% through 2026.
Not only is the field growing as more baby boomers have advanced procedures on their teeth, but the salary range for dental hygienists is quite competitive.
Dental hygienists generally work in schools or dentist offices and their job generally includes examining, cleaning, and education.
4. MEDICAL ASSISTING
Medical assistants perform a variety of clinical and administrative tasks in multiple work settings, and they are an essential part of the health care industry.
Currently, medical assistants are in high demand and there's a projected need for approximately 184,000 new medical assistants with a projected job growth of 29% now through 2026.
As the job opportunities continue to grow in the field, opportunities are abundant for medical assistants that have quality, formal training.
Are you ready to explore all your options? Learn about how one decision to say yes can change your entire life for the better!
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