EMT jobs are among the most promising occupations within the healthcare industry.
The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the healthcare and social assistance sector will be the fastest-growing job sector during the near future. The sector is expected to grow by 24 percent, adding 4 million new jobs, by 2018.
The healthcare industry remains one of the most stable career fields, even amidst the economic recession. However, you don’t have to be a doctor or nurse to be a part of the healthcare industry, as there are plenty of other jobs available within the field.
One big advantage is that many of these other careers only require one to two years of training, most of which is affordable and available at local community colleges. One-year programs typically last two semesters and lead to a certificate, while two-year programs usually result in an associate’s degree.
In order to enroll in a program, you generally need a high school diploma or GED, to pass a criminal background check and to pass a physical, including a drug test. Both types of programs usually require that half of your time be devoted to classroom work and the other half be devoted to clinical experience.
“When they’re ready, students participate in externships at local hospitals to gain the skills and confidence needed to work with patients,” Sharvette Philmon, assistant dean of Allied Health and Nursing at Delaware County Community College, told Metro.
Graduates of one-year programs who receive certificates are often required to obtain additional state licensing. Popular jobs resulting from one-year programs include: medical assistant, surgical technician and addiction counselor, as well as office jobs, such as health unit coordinator or coding and billing specialist.
Most two-year programs also require that you take non-medical courses and obtain state licensing. The most popular jobs resulting from two-year programs include: emergency medical technician or paramedic, radiology technician, dental hygienist and respiratory therapist.