What are some careers in health science?
Many employment opportunities are currently available in health science. Most are in the private sector
including hospitals and clinics, but public health organizations also hire for a variety of positions. Several healthcare occupations are projected to grow 25% or more during the next decade'much
higher than the 5% average for all occupations.
One unique aspect of the healthcare industry is that most jobs require very specific levels and types of
education more than in other industries. Credentials may be stacked to build a career ladder in the
industry, including certificate programs that take a few months, two-and four-year college degrees,
professional certifications, or occupational licenses. An example of a healthcare career ladder:
- With a high school education, someone can start out as a personal care aide.
- With brief formal training, they can move to a home health aide position which adds further medical
knowledge and care tasks.
- With a 4-12 week training program and passing state certification, they can become a certified nurse
assistant, with increasing wages and responsibility at each step.
- With further education they can move to licensed practical nurse (typically a 1-year program plus
licensure exam), and registered nurse (4-year program).
Take a look at the list below to learn about high-demand healthcare careers at different levels of
education. Click any link to learn more, including typical responsibilities, average wages, employment
projections, certifications, training and licensure requirements, and more.