Emerging Careers: 3 Allied Health Occupations with Projected Growth Over the NextDecade

Exploring and summarizing less prominent occupations in the health field

with projected growth.

Authored by Janeysi Echeverria

Following the completion of an individual research report concerning how digital media hinders the social development of toddlers in America and carrying out a local research study on the techniques used to aid learning disabilities in young children, I found myself fairly educated and substantially intrigued by the key yet underestimated role many healthcare professionals hold in the lives of children as well as many allied health careers that remain largely unexplored, however, are expected to be largely necessary and impactful within the next decade. To add context, an “allied health” career refers to an occupation that requires medical assistance or the delivery of health services without the requirement of a medical degree, or PhD.1 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners, medical and health services managers, and occupational therapy assistants all sit amongst the 20 fastest growing occupations in America between 2022-2032.2It is vital that society becomes largely educated on the endless amount of jobs and opportunities available in the medical field that contribute to the health and recovery of patients, specifically to expand our youth’s knowledge of prosperous and purposeful future career possibilities. 

1. Nurse Practitioners: 

As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of nurse practitioners, or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), is expected to increase by 38%, which surpasses the average and would introduce about 123,600 new job positions in the next ten years.3In detail, to qualify for the position of a nurse practitioner, most states require candidates to obtain at least a master’s degree and pass both an APRN licensing exam and national certification exam.4 Nurse practitioners can work in critical settings, such as hospitals and emergency rooms, or in more lenient settings, such as clinics. In short, nurse practitioners are expected to assess patients’ health, operate medical equipment, collaborate  with physicians’ and other surrounding professionals to create an effective patient health plan, etc.5 As of 2023, the median annual salary for a nurse practitioner was $129,480.6 An APRN is an exceptional career selection for those who aspire to join the medical field and wish to complete their education in a short amount of time so they are able to dedicate time to their craft. High school or early college students looking to pursue the academic journey of a nurse practitioner can begin by taking courses such as anatomy, biology, and chemistry as well as searching for internships in local clinics or hospitals, and further researching the responsibilities and benefits of this expanding occupation. For more information on the contributions and history of nurse practitioners, you can visit 

https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps. 

2. Medical and Health Services Managers: 

With regards to medical and health services managers, the occupation’s outlook is estimated to increase by 28%, resulting in the addition of over 140,000 relevant job positions in the next decade.7It is advised that those who wish to apply to a medical and health service manager position have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, such as health administration, business, or any other field that focuses on medical terminology and health information. As well, many employers may require relevant work experiences, such as experience handling medical records, administering medical equipment, efficiently communicating with medical insurance groups, etc.8 Nonetheless, it is important that applicants research the requirements of each health service manager position available, despite general requirements, due to the possible need of specific certifications and licensures. Generally, these service managers are responsible for ensuring the medical facility meets state and national laws and regulations, staff is on-task at all times, and keep track of the facilities records, including numerical, financial, and medical.9 As of 2023, the median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $110,680.10 I believe this occupation is an underestimated yet remarkable choice for those who aspire to pursue a career that requires both medical and administrative skills; subsequently, if this occupation, which blends medical assistance with leadership, catches your eye, you should proceed by looking into classes or online courses that will assist you in better educating yourself on the jobs requirements and necessary skill set as well as conducting further research, such as visiting 

3. Occupational Therapy Assistants: 

Lastly, the occupation that is occupational therapy assistant is projected to grow by 23% in the U.S. in the next decade, opening over 10,000 new job opportunities.11It is suggested that aspiring occupational therapy assistants obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent, an associates degree from an “accredited occupational therapy assistant program”, and partake in some form of internship or training program. Moreover, occupational therapy assistants must also obtain a state-issued license accredited when the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam is passed. There are also specific certifications like the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS) certification that could increase one’s chances of being chosen for the position or could be required by the employer.12 Furthermore, occupational therapy assistants are required to collaborate with occupational therapists to construct rehabilitation plans and schedules for patients with disabilities or in recovery from some form of physical incident. For example, this may include improving mobility, recovering fine motor skills, and learning basic life skills necessary to build each patient’s independence.13 As of 2023, the median salary for occupational therapy assistants was $65,450.14 Before selecting speech language pathology as my preferred career choice due to my love for grammar and language, I had considered becoming an occupational therapist assistant because of its great involvement in the medical field and its allowing people to help those who face great physiological obstacles to set personal goals and, eventually, become independent. Students looking to pursue a position in this career should, as stated previously, take classes related to the medical field as well as conduct further research to ensure occupational therapy is a career they are passionate about pursuing. For further guidance, students can look to https://www.aota.org/. 

These occupations are only a few of the many less talked about yet just as intriguing careers present in the medical field. As well, they are also the ones with the greatest percentage change of employment within the next decade. Some other health-related jobs present in the U.S. BLS’s “Fastest Growing Occupations” are epidemiologists, physician assistants, and home health and personal care aides. It is crucial that students’ are exposed to these less prominent careers, not only in the field of healthcare, but in all fields because they need to be made aware of the wide selection of opportunities there are and that, through research, they may be able to find a career that includes their interests, compliments their strengths, and works on their weaknesses. In summary, even if the careers listed above are not for you, it is still essential that, when you find a field, hobby, or job that you are passionate about, you search for clubs, classes, programs, and people that will assist you in excelling and making the most out of your new found interest. 

Sources|

1 What is Allied Health? (n.d.). ASAHP. https://www.asahp.org/what-is

2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019, April 12). Fastest growing occupations: Occupational outlook handbook. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm 

3 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. (2018, April 13). Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-1 4 US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019, September 4). Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-4 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-9. 

5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019, April 12). Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-26 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. (2019, April 12). Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5 7 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019, September 4). Medical and Health Services Managers. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm 8 Medical and Health Services Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Www.bls.gov. 

https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-4 9 Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019, September 4). Medical and Health Services Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-2 10 Medical and Health Services Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Www.bls.gov. 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-5 

11 U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics. (2019, September 4). Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm12 Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Www.bls.gov. 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-4 13 Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Www.bls.gov. 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-2 14 Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Www.bls.gov. 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-5