Top Considerations for a Successful Career in Health Care

Thinking about and choosing a career path can be stressful and intimidating. Fortunately, you're living in a time when one industry offers you an abundance of reasons to make it your professional focus.

We're talking about health care, and whether you're a recent high school graduate or an established worker ready for a career change, it's a field well worth considering today... and for your long-term future.

At Concorde, we only focus on health care education, because of the opportunities it holds for our students to find their calling in life and flourish in their careers. Here are three of the top reasons to pursue a fulfilling, rewarding career in health care.

1. You'll be in demand

Talk about a growth industry! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in health care are expected to grow 14% by 2028. And that's just an average of all health care careers. Look what happens when we focus on some of the field's most in-demand jobs:

• Physical Therapist Assistant - BLS anticipates the demand for Physical Therapy Assistants to grow 26% by 2028. Opportunities for PTAs are skyrocketing, and Concorde has an accredited Associate degree that can teach you how to help patients recover from injuries and illnesses, regain mobility, and manage pain. Best of all, you can complete the program in as few as 19 months* and be on your way!
• Medical Assistant - According to BLS, employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow by 23% between now and 2028. Earn your Diploma in Medical Assisting in 8 short months* at Concorde, and you can be ready to begin performing a critical role in the everyday operations of doctors' offices, clinics, and other health care facilities.
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographers - The demand for skilled health care professionals who use imaging technology to diagnose medical conditions like blood clots and heart disease is rising rapidly... 14% by 2028 according to the BLS. The right Associate degree can prepare you to become a DMS in as few as 19 months.*

2. You'll have lots of options in work environments

Another great thing about the health care industry is the wide range of environments you can choose to work in. Aside from hospitals and medical offices, there are thousands of open positions across the country in labs, insurance companies, public health agencies and lots of other professional settings. Consider these:

• Surgical Technician - If you thrive on adrenaline and don't get squeamish at the sight of blood, maybe you'll look good in surgical scrubs while you're preparing operating rooms, arranging equipment and helping doctors during surgeries. Concorde has a Surgical Technology Associate Degree Program to get you prepped and ready.
• Medical Office Professional - Are you a well-organized person who's good with numbers and looking for a future in a more traditional office environment? Consider earning your diploma in medical office administration. You'll learn valuable skills like accounts receivable and payable, billing and fee collection, payroll and taxes, records management, and insurance claims processing.
• Dental Hygienist - If you like the idea of putting a smile on people's faces every day, dental hygienists are in great demand, and you can prepare to become a dental hygienist in as few as 17 months*, depending on your location. After that, you'll spend your days in dental offices and clinics examining patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and providing preventive care, including oral hygiene.

3. You'll be ready in months, not years

Let's face it. Not everyone is cut out for a college degree that can take four or more years to achieve. Some people are more focused on getting career-ready to start earning a living as soon as possible. If you're one of those people, there's more good news from the health care job market, because plenty of career paths only require 12 months or less of preparation and training.

• Nurse - A career in nursing offers almost unlimited pathways to specializations and advancement, but it doesn't require a BSN degree or an MSN degree to get your foot in the door. Thousands of nurses begin their journey as Vocational Nurses (also called Practical Nurses in some areas of the country). At Concorde, you can become a licensed or vocational nurse in as few as 12 months* and start making a difference in the lives of patients in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and other health care organizations.
• Pharmacy Technician - Pharmacy Technicians play an important role in health care, helping pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. What you might not know is that you can study to become a Pharmacy Technician in as few as 6 months* at Concorde. Our curriculum is designed to quickly prepare you for an important position at pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics.
• Dental Assistant - Here's the drill on becoming a key member of a dental team. In as few as 8 months*, Concorde can prepare you with the knowledge and training to take the licensing exam that qualifies you for an important job in this wide-open area of health care. Become a Dental Assistant at Concorde, and you can be taking x-rays, keeping records, scheduling appointments and providing patient care in less than a year.

There's no slowing down the rapid and continuing expansion of our nation's health care system. That's why Concorde Career Colleges only focus on preparing students for success in over twenty areas across this dynamic field.

If you're ready to pursue an in-demand career in a wide range of professional settings, and do so in a matter of months, not years, Concorde has the health care career training programs and the people to help you achieve your goals. Let's make it happen!

*Program length varies by location