The best health care support jobs of the year
It doesn’t take years of medical school to gain entry to the ever-growing health care field. Health care support workers are the ones who assist doctors, surgeons and dentists in important tasks as they monitor, diagnose and treat patients. Many positions require no more than an associate degree or on-the-job training. Click on to see the Best Jobs of 2016 in the field of health care support.
25. Paramedic
Median Salary: $31,700
Unemployment Rate: 3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 58,500
These medical workers are first on the scene after an accident or health emergency.
Learn more about paramedics.
24. Surgical Technologist
Median Salary: $43,350
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,700
Surgical technologists assist surgeons in the operating room, including by setting out tools, sterilizing the room and helping with other tasks.
Learn more about surgical technologists.
23. Optician
Median Salary: $34,280
Unemployment Rate: 4.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 17,800
Staffed in stores, private practices and health care centers, these workers help patients select and fit eyewear.
Learn more about opticians.
22. Veterinary Technologist and Technician
Median Salary: $31,070
Unemployment Rate: 3.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 17,900
These professionals assist veterinarians with the tasks involved in diagnosing and treating their animal patients.
Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians.
21. Genetic Counselor
Median Salary: $67,500
Unemployment Rate: 7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 700
These master’s degree-educated professionals help patients identify potential genetic conditions.
Learn more about genetic counselors .
20. Medical Assistant
Median Salary: $29,960
Unemployment Rate: 4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 138,900
Medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, pitching in with clerical work and basic medical tasks.
Learn more about medical assistants.
19. Phlebotomist
Median Salary: $30,670
Unemployment Rate: 1.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 28,100
Phlebotomists can’t be scared of needles. They specialize in drawing blood and maintaining blood-drawing equipment.
Learn more about phlebotomists.
18. Home Health Aide
Median Salary: $21,380
Unemployment Rate: 6.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 348,400
Home health aides help patients manage day-to-day tasks and are in growing demand as baby boomers age.
Learn more about home health aides .
17. Dental Assistant
Median Salary: $35,390
Unemployment Rate: 3.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 58,600
Dental assistants work with dentists and dental hygienists on a variety of tasks, from handling clerical work to preparing patients for treatments.
Learn more about dental assistants.
16. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
Median Salary: $42,490
Unemployment Rate: 3.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 117,300
These health care professionals provide medical care and perform a range of medical procedures, from checking vital signs to dressing wounds.
Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
15. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Median Salary: $72,100
Unemployment Rate: 3.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 300
Nuclear medicine technologists have mastered a process that involves injecting small amounts of radioactive material into patients to diagnose certain diseases and illnesses.
Learn more about nuclear medicine technologists.
14. Clinical Laboratory Technician
Median Salary: $38,370
Unemployment Rate: 3.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 29,000
Working under the supervision of technologists, clinical laboratory technicians analyze lab work and perform other behind-the-scenes tasks.
Learn more about clinical laboratory technicians.
13. Cardiovascular Technologist
Median Salary: $54,330
Unemployment Rate: 3.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 11,500
Cardiovascular technologists conduct tests on patients to help diagnose heart-related conditions.
Learn more about cardiovascular technologists.
12. Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Median Salary: $35,230
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 9,100
These ocular experts assist in the initial portions of a patient’s eye exam, taking patient history and completing visual tests.
Learn more about ophthalmic medical technicians.
11. Occupational Therapy Aide
Median Salary: $26,550
Unemployment Rate: 1.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 2,700
These aides typically assist occupational therapists by performing administrative duties, cleaning or other tasks.
Learn more about occupational therapy aides.
10. MRI Technologist
Median Salary: $67,090
Unemployment Rate: 3.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 3,500
MRI technologists operate machines that use magnetic fields and radio waves to take images of patients’ organs and other internal parts.
Learn more about MRI technologists .
9. Physical Therapist Aide
Median Salary: $24,650
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 19,500
These professionals support physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, often taking on some of the less-skilled work, including sanitizing treatment areas and performing office tasks.
Learn more about physical therapist aides.
8. Massage Therapist
Median Salary: $37,180
Unemployment Rate: 3.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 36,500
Massage therapists reduce and relieve pain and unwind tense muscles using a variety of techniques.
Learn more about massage therapists.
7. Medical Secretary
Median Salary: $32,240
Unemployment Rate: 3.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 108,200
Medical secretaries manage the traffic in and out of a doctor’s office, maintaining records and collecting insurance information.
Learn more about medical secretaries .
6. Hearing Aid Specialist
Median Salary: $43,010
Unemployment Rate: 3.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,600
These professionals specialize in selecting, fitting and maintaining hearing-loss devices.
Learn more about hearing aid specialists.
5. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Median Salary: $67,530
Unemployment Rate: 1.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 16,000
These health care specialists use sonography equipment to capture images for a number of medical purposes, from finding out the gender of a baby to imaging tumors.
Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers.
4. Physical Therapist Assistant
Median Salary: $54,410
Unemployment Rate: 5.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 31,900
PTAs work with physical therapists to help patients regain movement and mobility after an injury or illness.
Learn more about physical therapist assistants.
3. Orthotist and Prosthetist
Median Salary: $64,040
Unemployment Rate: 2.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,900
These specialists work on designing, building and fitting patients with braces, artificial body parts and other medical devices.
Learn more about orthotists and prosthetists.
2. Dental Hygienist
Median Salary: $71,520
Unemployment Rate: 3.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 37,400
Dental hygienists typically work in dental offices, cleaning teeth and educating patients on how to brush and floss properly.
Learn more about dental hygienists.
1. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Median Salary: $56,950
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,100
OTAs specialize in working with occupational therapists to help patients relearn daily tasks after an injury or illness.
Learn more about occupational therapy assistants.
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25 Amazing Health Care Support Jobs for 2016 originally appeared on usnews.com
