Healthcare is one of the biggest drivers of the American economy, and with an aging Baby Boomer population, the field is poised for a substantial expansion in the coming decades.
Just how big is the US healthcare system? In 2016, Americans spent $3.3 trillion on healthcare, making up nearly 18% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
With 18 million healthcare workers, more than one in every ten jobs in the US today are in the industry, and according to the federal Department of Labor, hospitals, ambulatory centers, and physicians’ offices are leading hiring.
Wages and Higher Ed Investment
Along with job growth comes good pay, something that sets healthcare apart from much of the lower wage retail and service sectors driving the American economy.
In fact, seven of the ten highest-paying careers in the US in 2017 were in healthcare, according to job site CareerCast.com. Of course, these positions – the top-ranked surgeons along with orthodontist, psychiatrist, general practice physician, dentist, podiatrist and pharmacist all require extensive schooling and often carry heavy financial burdens.
In 2016, the average medical school graduate shouldered around $190,000 in education debt, which was a sharp increase from the average debt of $125,372 in the year 2000. The Association of American Medical Colleges notes the median four-year cost of attendance is closing in an astounding $250,000.
If that investment stings your eyes, read on.
Some of the hottest jobs are of the “middle-skill” variety: they offer solid wages and benefits while requiring less than a bachelor’s degree in education.
Changing roles in healthcare
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. Increased focus on preventing illness and educating the public about healthy lifestyles has boosted the importance of some traditional support staff roles in clinics and hospitals.
Massive advances in technology and expanded access to care through government healthcare coverage, are likewise redefining healthcare careers across the board.
The medical profession is staffed by millions of caregivers from every level of education. Indeed, many healthcare careers are in reach with between two and four years of college, and all of them are expected to add tens of thousands of jobs to the economy in the next few years.
Earning a certificate or associate’s degree at a community college is a relatively painless entry into a rewarding healthcare career. Many supporting or assistant healthcare jobs have a bright outlook, solid pay scale, and reasonably short training period. Northwest State Community College proudly offers medical support (office administration), emergency medical services, phlebotomy, medical assisting, Registered Nursing, Licensed Practical Nursing and more. A short-term certificate or associate degree program at Northwest State prepares students for many exciting and lucrative career opportunities with the region’s healthcare providers. Our students benefit from tremendous classroom and hands-on lab learning activities, without the burden of a large student loan debt.
Learn more about the Northwest State healthcare programs at NorthwestState.edu/
degree-programs/ and NorthwestState.edu/certificate-programs/.
RN and LPN to RN Programs
The Associate Degree Nursing program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate competency in providing nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings and for employment as a registered nurse. The four semester program incorporates face to face and online coursework, labs, and clinical to prepare the student to function as a member of the healthcare team. Students must meet all admission criteria prior to being admitted to the nursing program. After meeting admission criteria, students are given the first available seat in the nursing program. Policies regulating the nursing program are available in the Student Nurse Handbook.
NSCC also offers a three semester Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program, designed to prepare the Licensed Practical Nurse for licensure as a Registered Nurse. The program incorporates face to face and online coursework, labs, and clinical to prepare the student to function as a member of the healthcare team. Students must meet all admission criteria prior to being admitted to the nursing program.
Practical Nursing
The practical nursing program is a one-year certificate program designed to prepare students for providing nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings and for employment as licensed practical nurses. The three-semester program incorporates lectures, labs, and supervised clinical experience in a variety of area healthcare facilities.
Nursing faculty are available to advise students as they progress through the program. Successful completion of the program prepares the students to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN), and practice as licensed practical nurses.
These nursing programs are fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and accredited by: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3343 Peachtree Road, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326.
Medical Assisting
Northwest State’s medical assisting program is a two-year, associate degree program that includes classroom, lab and practicum experiences.
Medical assistants are trained in both clinical and administrative duties for a variety of healthcare settings. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting is one of the nation’s fastest-growing careers. Advances in technology, a growing population of elderly Americans and an increasing number of outpatient facilities mean trained medical assistants are in demand.
The medical assisting program at Northwest State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763.
Office Administration-Medical Support
Medical support employees work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical settings. They may transcribe dictation, prepare medical records or charts, schedule appointments, handle correspondence, prepare bills and process insurance forms. In addition to a good background in keyboarding, accounting, and computers, there is a need for expertise with medical terminology and familiarization with medical references. Strong communication skills are also important in dealing with patients in stressful situations.
The increase in medical services and the aging population place tremendous demands on physicians and hospitals. Medical support employees are essential workers who must accurately process medical and insurance documents.
