Health Science career cluster
Health Science career cluster
The primary work of careers in the health science cluster is to treat patients facing illness or injury—whether to cure or rehabilitate from a condition, to maintain wellness, or to provide comfort or palliative care to persons dealing with incurable conditions.
The health care industry is booming, and experts predict health care careers will continue to grow rapidly for at least the next decade.
What’s driving the growth in health care?
- The overall U.S. population is aging, creating more demand for patient care.
- Technology and innovation are generating new products and services and expanding the types of health care jobs available.
- Changes to medical insurance models mean more people are able to seek more medical care.
Quick facts
One of the nation’s largest employers
Nearly 21 million people are employed in health care—and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that nearly one in seven Americans will work in the industry by 2028.
Growth in mental health care
Mental health care, behavioral health, and substance abuse services are expanding, as they have become increasingly destigmatized.
Telehealth is meeting diverse needs
Remote care or telehealth continues to expand to make patient care more accessible and reduce staff involvement.
Renewed focus on preventive care
Wellness care to prevent illness and stay well is gaining emphasis, often by insurance companies seeking to minimize health care spending.
Would a career in health science be a good fit for me?
If you have a general interest in health care, a desire to help others, and an interest in life-long learning, a career in health science might be right for you. Some points to keep in mind:
- Work can be fast paced, involve many hours on your feet, and require multitasking.
- At facilities that provide care 24/7, it is typical to work rotations that include some days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Many careers in health care offer the opportunity to make an important difference in people’s lives.
- Because of the hiring boom, it may be relatively easy to change employers or relocate to a new area, though states’ licensure and certification requirements differ.
- Advancement potential is excellent for those willing to further their education. Note that some employers pay for additional credentials.
- Soft skills and customer/patient relations are important; providers are increasingly measured based on patient satisfaction and outcomes.
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. A number of health care occupations are projected to grow 25 percent or more during the next decade—much higher than the 5 percent average for all occupations.
One unique aspect of the health care 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 health care 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 health care 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.