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Career Moves in Healthcare Make You Fit for New Duties

By Elizabeth Buckner
Learning & Life Columnist

Healthcare means much more than just nursing these days. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare was the largest industry in 2004 and will account for eight of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade. Capitalize on your experience and consider training for careers such as alternative medicine, counseling or physical therapy.

Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine, which includes acupuncture, chiropractics, acupressure and herbal medicine, has steadily grown in popularity and respect over the past decade. Dramatic growth is expected over the next ten years, specifically in chiropractic care and massage therapy.

A career in alternative medicine has many advantages, including the flexibility of an independent practice and a competitive salary. For example, the median salary of massage therapists ranges from $41,000 to $58,000 a year. Moreover, now that alternative medicine is becoming increasingly mainstream, more than 50 colleges offer graduate training at the master's degree level.

Physical Therapists

The aging population has created an employment boom for many health-related professions, and physical therapy is no exception. Job opportunities for physical therapists are expected to increase much faster than average job growth, as the number of patients with disabilities continues to rise.

The median annual salary for physical therapists is $60,180, and the profession comes with flexible scheduling and the option to work in hospitals and clinics or establish a private practice. And because physical therapists work individually with patients, they often form relationships that last for years. Either a master's or doctorate in physical therapy is generally required to practice, though a doctorate can take as little as two and a half years to complete.

Counselors and Social Workers

If you are looking for more contact with patients, or want to focus on mental health, the need for counselors is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of medical and public health social workers is expected to jump 26% over the next ten years. Degrees in counseling or social work are required, but online and evening classes are readily available.

With all these options before you, now is the time to give your career a booster shot and find your niche in this booming industry.

Sources

• Physical Therapy Training, Allied Health Schools
• Careers in Natural Health
• Massage Therapy Salaries
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author
Elizabeth Buckner is a freelance writer and current Fulbright grantee to Morocco, where she is conducting research on language education and the growth of English. She holds a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology and Education from Swarthmore College.

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