The healthcare sector is rapidly evolving to meet the diverse needs of an aging population, particularly the baby boomers and their families. As Boomers transition into older age, the demand for specialized medical services increases, highlighting the importance of a well-trained and diverse workforce.
In our latest blog post, we explore the multifaceted world of healthcare jobs, providing a clear snapshot of the number of positions, projected growth, educational requirements, and the typical work environments for each role. This overview not only highlights the qualifications and expertise of these professionals but also shows where they are most commonly employed, underscoring how different roles are concentrated in specific settings based on the services provided.
Whether you're interacting with a nurse practitioner at a clinic, a physical therapist in a rehabilitation center, or a home health aide in a residential setting, understanding the scope and focus of their work can significantly enhance your ability to seek and receive the appropriate support. This knowledge is particularly valuable for families and individuals making decisions, as it helps in aligning needs with the specialized skills of various providers. By familiarizing yourself with this landscape, you can make more informed decisions about your medical care and engage the right professionals to support your health journey. According to the latest reporting from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2023, the employment market is characterized as follows.
For a detailed description of each position, refer to the Get to Know the Healthcare Team Guiding Life’s Last Chapters blog post. Note this chart does not include administrative and other medical and operational support positions.
Employment Trends and Training
Physicians and Surgeons represent the pinnacle of the medical profession, necessitating an extensive educational journey. This includes earning a Doctoral degree, followed by three to nine years in residencies and internships, with subspecialization requiring additional fellowship training of one to three years. Due to the significant time investment and the set number of available medical school slots, there is restricted opportunity for substantial growth in this sector. Consequently, this group is projected to see modest job growth of 3%, with current employment at 816,900. To address these limitations, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs), who have shorter initial educational requirements, are increasingly bridging gaps in healthcare provision, enabling quicker entry of trained professionals into the market.
Nurse Practitioners play a pivotal role, requiring an RN license followed by a master’s degree to qualify. This career path is among the fastest growing in the sector, with a projected job growth rate of 38% over the next decade from 324,000 in 2022. This significant increase highlights the growing dependence on Nurse Practitioners to fulfill primary care needs. Many Registered Nurses are advancing their careers by pursuing this path, building on years of clinical experience. Upon obtaining a NP Master's degree, they have the potential to open their own practices, subject to state regulations, making it an attractive and empowering career progression.
Physician Assistants also undergo substantial training, beginning with a bachelor’s degree and culminating in a master’s degree. They are expected to see a significant job growth of 27%, reaching 187,300 by 2032, underscoring their expanding role in delivering diagnostic and therapeutic care under the supervision of physicians. The PA profession serves as an excellent alternative for individuals interested in medicine who may not have a nursing background and prefer a less lengthy educational pathway compared to traditional doctors. This role also addresses the bottleneck created by limited slots in medical school programs and the subsequent stages of residencies and fellowships.
There is a significant and growing demand for therapists to support Baby Boomers, particularly following hospitalizations due to illness, injury, or surgery. Each of these roles plays a big part in improving quality of life and maintaining independence, focusing on areas such as chronic conditions, recovery from surgical procedures, and the increasing frailty associated with aging that impacts daily activities.
Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists all require advanced education, typically culminating in at least a master’s degree. Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, with current employment figures of 247,000 and 140,000 respectively, are projected to see job growths of 15% and 12%. These roles are crucial for enhancing patient mobility and daily function, particularly as the population ages. Speech-Language Pathologists, who are central in diagnosing and treating communication disorders, are also expected to experience substantial growth, with a 19% increase forecasted, to bring 33,100 new positions by 2032 from 171,400 in 2022. This growth reflects a rising awareness of speech and language impairments across various age groups.
Healthcare Social Workers and Case Managers, requiring at least a master’s degree, are projected to see a 7% job growth, expanding from 185,000 positions in 2022. These professionals play a vital role in addressing the psychological and social facets of various medical conditions. They are key in managing transitions from hospitals to home health agencies, rehabilitation centers, or skilled nursing facilities. By integrating doctors' recommendations with an understanding of a patient's living situation and available resources, they arrange necessary support to guaranty a successful recovery. Additionally, there is increasing demand for their services in community centers focused on supporting the elderly, further emphasizing their importance in the healthcare continuum.
Registered Nurses (RNs) constitute the second-largest segment within the workforce, totaling approximately 3.2 million professionals. They offer a broad range of entry-level educational options, from Associate's to bachelor’s degrees. The projected growth in this sector is a robust 6%, or 177,400 new RN positions by 2032. RNs are pivotal in providing specialized care that addresses the complex needs of older adults across various settings. For example, they play a key role in critical care units, where they provide intensive monitoring and treatment for serious health issues such as heart disease and acute respiratory conditions that are more prevalent in older populations. In rehabilitation settings, RNs assist elderly patients in recovering from surgeries or acute illnesses, helping them regain functionality and independence. Their training in public health also enables them to participate in community outreach programs that focus on preventive care, fundamental for maintaining the health of older adults.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), along with Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), form an important foundation in the delivery system. LPNs and LVNs, who require a post-high school certificate, number approximately 630,250 and are projected to see a job growth of 5%. CNAs, needing a high school diploma and additional certification, total about 1.4 million with an expected growth of 4%. These roles are the foundational building blocks in providing basic nursing care under the supervision of more highly trained nurses.
Starting as an LPN, LVN, or CNA provides an excellent entry point for those considering a career in nursing. Many individuals in these roles gain valuable experience and populate the education pipeline to become Registered Nurses (RNs) and eventually, Nurse Practitioners (NPs). This progression underscores the importance of these positions not only as fundamental components of patient care but also as steppingstones in the nursing career path, offering opportunities for growth and advancement.
Lastly, Home Health and Personal Care Aides, the largest segment in the healthcare workforce with 3.7 million jobs, require only a high school education and are often seen as an entry-level position in the industry. This sector is projected to grow by 22%, underscoring the rising demand for services that help elderly individuals with specific tasks around the house that often don’t require medical training and certification. These aides can assist with everyday activities such as shopping, laundry, house cleaning, and meal preparation. They also provide vital companionship and respite care, offering family caregivers much-needed breaks. Additionally, as an entry-level role at the lower end of the salary scale, Home Health and Personal Care Aides provide an affordable support option for families seeking ways to keep loved ones safe and happy in their own homes.
Where They Work
In this employment market, the location where you might encounter various professionals depends heavily on their roles and the environments that best utilize their skills. Nearly 80% of these positions are concentrated in seven primary settings, with general medical and surgical hospitals employing the largest number at 2.6 million. Approximately 3.3 million healthcare professionals work in home settings, including personal care at home (2.0 million) and home health agencies (1.3 million), providing the essential care that allows patients to maintain independence in familiar environments. Institutional settings such as nursing homes (848,000) and assisted living facilities (471,000) employ about 1.3 million workers, offering structured care for those needing more comprehensive support. Doctors' offices (810,000) and outpatient centers (289,000) employ another 1.1 million personnel. Additionally, therapy offices employ around 233,000 professionals, focusing on rehabilitative and specialized therapeutic services. As shown in this chart visualization, the employment mix varies by setting.
Home Health & Personal Care Aides will most commonly be encountered in your or a loved one's home as they predominantly work in home health care services and individual and family services. They also play a significant role in assisted living facilities, supporting daily living activities and ensuring comfort.
Registered Nurses serve as the backbone of the system and work mainly in hospitals. They also provide comprehensive care in home health settings, reflecting their pivotal role in both acute care and community health settings.
Nursing Assistants & Orderlies are a staple in nursing care facilities and general medical and surgical hospitals, where they provide basic support in managing patient care and ensuring smooth service operation.
Speech Therapists aid with communication or swallowing disorders mainly in hospitals or offices of other health practitioners, where specialized rehabilitative services are provided.
Occupational Therapists focused on rehabilitation aimed at improving daily living and working skills, are often found in hospitals and outpatient care centers, crafting therapies tailored to enhance your functional abilities.
Physical Therapists will frequently be encountered in hospitals and outpatient care centers when you are recovering from injuries or surgery and need help to regain mobility and strength.
Social Workers help you or a loved one navigate complex health conditions, serving as your advocates primarily in hospitals and individual and family services, focusing on the psychosocial support crucial for comprehensive care.
LPNs and LVNs are integral to nursing care facilities and hospitals, providing fundamental nursing care that ensures your health needs are met under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.
Physicians & Surgeons are primarily found in medical offices and hospitals, where advanced facilities support their specialized work.
Both Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants serve vital roles not only in physician offices where they often act as primary care providers but also in hospitals, delivering a range of services and often working closely with physicians and surgeons.
Knowing where healthcare professionals are most likely to be employed not only informs your expectations about the care you receive but also enhances your understanding of the ecosystem. This awareness is crucial when your primary care providers, case managers, or social workers recommend specific settings for your treatment, ensuring that their suggestions align with your needs and the specialized services available in those environments. Understanding the role distribution helps you seek care from the appropriate providers in the right settings, facilitating a more effective and tailored care journey.
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