Burgeoning Job Opportunities

I still believe that. But recently opportunities in related professions have become more attractive.

Specifically, the demand for allied health care professionals has increased by a whooping one-third since 1999. Forty percent of those jobs are in medicine, nursing and pharmacy. The rest, 60 percent, comprise a wide-range of developing professions. Many of which did not exist a decade ago. The projection for continued growth is bullish since America is aging. People are living longer than their parents. Their health needs will need to be met.

Role For Hispanics

An advantage for students who need to work as soon as possible, true of many Hispanics, is that allied health care training is much shorter than medical studies. One can prepare for very good careers in two years or less and incidentally at your low-tuition local community college.

These careers are not dead ends. They provide pathways to many advancement opportunities.  Not to be overlooked, the salaries are professional and are projected to increase in the decades ahead.

Hispanics tend to return to Hispanic communities upon graduation. That is true of teachers, lawyers, medical doctors and what have you.  Not everyone, of course, but many do seek those communities. They wish to contribute, to help others.  That is evident among allied health professionals as well.

Bilingual? -- You Bet!

Many know that being bilingual is an asset. Not being so can be a liability.

I interviewed a non-Spanish speaking nurse who had worked for an M.D. for 25 years. He retired and he tried to place her with his colleagues. All refused to consider her since they need Spanish speaking staff. She has been unemployed for two years!

I also interviewed a Hispanic veterinarian hired by a conglomerate in Texas. The fact that she could speak Spanish was a real asset. She is the only veterinarian that does in that operation. Her work jacket has her name embroidered and also “Hablo Español”!

So, good jobs are available in areas where most Hispanics want to work.

Recommended  Allied Health Fields

I list some highly recommended allied health professions with a thumbnail sketch of duties, education requirements, salaries and growth projections for the future.

Let me also make two suggestions.

Meet and interview at least three persons who are working in the field you are considering. Learn as much as you can from working professionals.

Try to secure an internship or summer job in the field that interests you and absorb firsthand the realities of that profession.       

The List

8. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

•  They organize and manage patient records via classification systems to categorize information for insurance reimbursement purposes, database registries and maintaining patients’ medical histories. 

•  Associate degree

•  Mean annual salary is $41,460

•  Top-paying: New Jersey ($60,000)

•  200,140 jobs nationally

•  Expected growth: 15 percent from 2014 to 2024

7. Surgical Technologists

•  They pass surgical tools to surgeons and nurses, hold body parts in place, prepare the operating room, arrange equipment and allocate surgical instruments before procedures. They assist with postoperative care.                  

•  Post-secondary certificate or associate degree

•  Mean annual salary: $46,800

•  Top-paying: Nevada ($60,640)

•  105,720 jobs

•  Expected growth: 12 percent from 2014 to 2024

6. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

•  They perform analyses on bodily fluids, including blood, urine and saliva in clinical laboratories.

•  Associate degree or a bachelor’s degree

•  Mean annual salary: $50,930

•  Top-paying: Rhode Island ($57,690)

•  160,190 jobs

•  Expected growth: 16 percent from 2014 to 2024

5. Dietitians and Nutritionists

•  They help patients choose what to eat or avoid to achieve specific health or fitness-related goals.

•  Associate, bachelor’s degree

•  Mean annual salary: $59,670

•  Top-paying: California ($71,430)

•  61,430 jobs

•  Expected growth: 14 percent from 2014 to 2024

4. Radiologic and MRI Technologists

•  MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines to create diagnostic images under the guidelines set by radiologists and ordered by physicians.

•  There are two routes to becoming an MRI technologist. Some start out as radiologic technologists and then specialize in MRI later in their careers. Or there are associate degrees.

•  Mean annual salary: $69,240

•  Top-paying: Nevada ($88,660)

•  35,850 jobs

•  Expected growth: 9 percent from 2014 to 2024

3. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Vascular and Cardiovascular Technologists

•  Using sonography equipment perform diagnostic examinations under the direction of a doctor. They can specialize in multiple areas including OB/GYN, abdomen, adult echocardiography, breast, vascular, among others.

•  Associate degree or post-secondary certificate

•  Mean annual salary: $71,750

•  Top-paying: California ($93,350)

•  65,790 jobs

•  Expected growth: 24 percent from 2014 to 2024

2. Orthotists and Prosthetists

•  They design supportive devices such as artificial limbs, braces, etc. These devices often must be custom-made according specific personal needs.

•  Master’s degree, as well as professional certification

•  Mean annual salary: $69,920

•  Top-paying: Oklahoma ($102,940)

•  7,500 jobs

•  Expected growth: 23 percent from 2014 to 2024

1. Dental Hygienists

•  They examine patients, clean teeth, check for oral diseases and provide preventative dental care. They also provide oral hygiene instructions and education on how to improve oral health.

•  Certificate or associate degree. All states require they be licensed.

•  Mean annual salary: $73,440

•  Top-paying: Alaska ($102,890)

•  204,990 jobs

•  Expected growth: 19 percent from 2014 to 2024.

Bottom Line

I studied the most recent US Bureau of Labor statistics on Allied Health Professions. You can check their website https://www.bls.gov for more information not only on these professions but on all the other professions in America.

Far too many students arrive on campus with fuzzy ideas of what they want to study. As self-defeating is the fact that many arrive with very erroneous concepts of the real day to day lives of professionals in the fields they think they want to enter. Our concept about the health professions is frequently influenced by TV shows such as “ER,” “Scrubs,” etc.  They do not portray reality; they are fiction written to entertain.

As recommened before meet working professionals to gain vauable insight before selecting a field.

Good Luck! •