healthcare careers in southwestern pennsylvania: right time

Healthcare Careers in Southwest PennsylvaniaHealthcare Careers in

Southwest PennsylvaniaRIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE!

February, 2006

1,320 Physicians & Surgeons$127,560 / yr

Who’s Employed in the Healthcare Industry of SWPA?

Who’s Employed in the Healthcare Industry of SWPA?

3.300 Medical Secretaries$24,420 / yr

26,260 Registered Nurses$49,780 / yr

40 Anesthesiologists$105,700 / yr

3,560 EMT & Paramedics$22,970 / yr

1,940 Radiology Technicians$37,260 / yr

1,350 Medical Records & Health Information Technicians$27,220 / yr

6,370 Licensed Practical Nurses$32,840 / yr

1,320 Physicians & Surgeons (including Radiologists)

$127,560 / yr

Who’s Employed in the Healthcare Industry of SWPA?

Who’s Employed in the Healthcare Industry of SWPA?

The Healthcare Industry’s Temperature

Where is the Healthcare Industry Going?

• Healthcare is a booming industry, with 2x faster growth than any other sector 2x faster

• By 2008, 15% increase in U.S. 15% in U.S.

• By 2008, 21% increase in PA 21% in PA

Healthcare Industry

• Health care careers are evolving: cutting edge technology and skills

• High Earnings Potential

• Exciting Career Pathways

Healthcare Industry is aMajor Regional Employer

• The health sector employs 15.4% (160,000) of the entire labor force in SWPA

SWPAEmployed

SWPAHealthcareEmployed

Why Do We Need More Healthcare Workers?

• Demographics• Aging baby boomers• Longevity• Innovative

technologies• New drugs/therapies

Healthcare Growth Areas Account for 90,000 Jobs

There are 160,000 employed in the healthcare industry of SWPA.

All HealthcareOccupations

Growing HealthcareOccupations

…90,000 are employed in areas expected to grow 9% (7,000 jobs by 2010)

Western Pennsylvania’s 2005 Top 10 Most Wanted List

• Physical Therapist Assistant 15.2• Staff Registered Pharmacist 10.7• Nurse Practitioner 9.8• Nuclear Medicine Technologist 8.5• Physician Assistant 8.2• Staff Physical Therapist 8.1• Nursing Aide/Nursing Assistant 7.2• Staff Registered Nurse 6.9• Pharmacy Technician 6.2• Staff Medical Technologist 6.0

Show Me the Money!

What Do Healthcare Workers Earn?

1%Less than $15,000/yr

39%Between

$15,000 and $25,000

15%Between

$25,000 and $35,000

33%Between

$35,000 and $50,000

9%Between

$50,000 and $75,000

3%Greater than

$75,000

What’s available…for less than $25,000

EMT / Paramedic

•$22,970 / year

• 3,560 employed

• H.S. and certification

Massage Therapist

•$14,100 / year

• 540 employed

• H.S. and certification

Dental Assistant

•$25,090 / year

• 970 employed

• H.S. and certification

40%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

What’s available…for $25,000 - $35,000

Medical Transcriptionist

•$27,810 / year

•1,700 employed

•Post-secondary education

Physical Therapist Assistant

•$33,020 / year

• 410 employed

• Associate’s degree

and certification

Medical Lab Technicians

• $32,430 / year

• 2,120 employed

• Associate’s degree and license

15%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

What’s available…for $35,000 - $50,000

Respiratory Therapist

• $40,050 / year

• 1,000 employed

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree

Athletic Trainer

• $37,000 / year

• 170 employed

• Bachelor’s degree

Registered Nurse

• $49,780 / year

• 26,260 employed

• Associate degree and license

33%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

What’s available…for $50,000 or more

Physician Assistant

• $57,460 / year

• 540 employed

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 year accredited program

Physical Therapist

• $58,080 / year

• 1,640 employed

• Master’s degree and license

Pharmacist

• $79,610 / year

• 2,140 employed

• Pharm. D. and license

12%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

Characteristics of Healthcare Occupations

• 66% require only 2 years of training/education

• Many entry points

• Math and science at different levels

• Embedded Career Progress

• Technologically Oriented

Health Career SnapshotsRegistered Nurse$50,000/yr

• Promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness

• Observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress in patients

• Assist physicians, administer medications, and develop and manage nursing care plans

Pharmacy Technician$20,000/yr

• Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other healthcare

products to patients

• Prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles.

• Prepare coverage claims with health insurance providers

Radiology Technician$37,000/yr

• Take x-rays

• Administer non-radioactive materials into patients’ bloodstreams for diagnostic purposes

• Keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment.

Example of a Healthcare Pathway:Registered Nurse

Nursing Assistant

• $22,000 / year

• On the job training

• Frontline workers in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Work directly with patients.

Licensed Practical Nurse

• $33,000 / year

• Typically 1-year training program and licensure

• Provide basic bedside care such as take vital signs, give injections, apply dressings and insert catheters. Those employed in nursing homes may also evaluate residents’ needs, develop care plans, and supervise nursing aides.

RN

• $50,000 / year

• Associates degree and licensure

• Nursing is a very diverse profession with a wide array of roles, but all work toward a common goal of: promoting health, preventing disease and serving the patient.

The Healthcare Career Offer

• Progressive and long career path, family-sustaining wages and transferable skill sets

• Career control

• Career portability

• Financial incentives i.e.: loan forgiveness, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement/employer paid education

Hot LinksPA Health Careerswww.pahealthcareers.org

Center for Health Careers-Hospital Council of Western PAwww.chc.hcwp.org

Southwest Area Health Education Centerwww.southwestahec.org

Health Careers Futureswww.hcfutures.org

Health Opportunities for Today and Tomorrowwww.mihott.com

Human Capital Policy Initiativewww.hcpi.org

5. The healthcare sector is a major employer in SWPA

4. The healthcare sector offers many occupational opportunities

3. The healthcare sector offers high earnings potential

2. The healthcare sector offers many career pathways

and the number one thing to know…

1. The healthcare sector offers lifetime employability and portability

“Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love”

~ David McCullough