It is quite an impressive piece of information: healthcare is the fastest industry in California. There are numerous advanced level as well as entry-level careers in the healthcare industry throughout the state. This is partly because California’s population is aging, presenting new challenges to the healthcare system and putting a strain on the existing healthcare professionals.
Because of the growing demand for healthcare professionals, more schools are now offering medical courses to try and meet the growing demand for medical skills. This may perhaps explain why respiratory therapy schools in California are on the rise and more community colleges than ever are now offering 4-year degree courses. To take advantage of these emerging opportunities, here are some of the not-so-common healthcare careers you should consider training for in California.
Midwife
With an average starting salary of $57,000, midwifery is an interesting career path. Registered professionals in midwifery provide care to women from pregnancy all the way to the period after the bay is born. To become a midwife, you will need to enroll in a 4-year degree program in an accredited higher education institution.
Dental Hygienist
With an average starting salary of $56,000, these professionals in oral care enjoy a career path not many have taken. While they often work independently, dental hygienists sometimes work together with dentists to remove soft/hard deposits on patients’ teeth. They also educate patients on ways to better care for their teeth, especially preventing oral diseases by observing better oral hygiene.
Technologist (Radiologic Technician)
With an average starting salary of $51,000, technologists can enjoy a decent life. Some of their tasks include performing imaging examinations like CAT scans, x-rays, MRIs and mammograms.
Nutritionist (Dietitian)
Nutritionists have an average starting salary of $50,000. Their profession includes creating customized nutrition and food programs and the preparing and distribution of meals. Typically, you will need an undergraduate degree to legally practice as a dietitian.
Medical Technologist
Medical technologists earn an average of $48,000 during their first years in the profession. Their work involves examining and analyzing body fluids. Some of their daily tasks involve drug tests, identifying anomalies in bodily fluids and blood, as well as identifying blood matches for transfusion.
Optician
Opticians design, fit and dispense corrective lenses, both contacts and glasses to patients who need vision correction. They earn an average starting salary of $41,000.
Paramedic/EMT
Paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMTs) have a starting salary of $41,000 annually. They are trained to address emergencies quickly and professionally. These emergencies include accidents, medical issues and traumatic injuries.
These are just some of the many different career paths you can consider pursuing in California. You can join the majority of these careers by spending four years in a relevant undergraduate degree course. For some of them, it is possible to start with just an associate degree. As the opportunities in this industry grow, the demand for healthcare professionals will spike. Therefore, starting your degree program now will coincide with the growing demand and many who are joining school now will get well-paying jobs as soon as they are done.
Paola Ramirez
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