Health and Medical Schools and Colleges

Health and medical services is one of the fastest growing fields in the United States. In fact, the field is expected to generate some 3.2 million new jobs between 2008 and 2018, more than any other industry. This is primarily due to the rapid growth of the elderly population, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Whether you are interested in health care administration, nursing, holistic medicine, medical and dental assisting or something else, there are a variety of options to choose from to make your start in the health care field.

Health and Medical Services Online Colleges

You may need a certificate, associate or bachelor's degree depending on the field you choose. Some fields, such as basic nursing, require you to attend an actual brick-and-mortar school, but there are sundry online health and medical services programs that can help you work toward your goals. Some programs available online include an Associate of Arts degree in Health Care Administration, a Bachelor's of Science degree in Health Science, and Diploma-based programs in fields like medical billing and coding. These online programs can provide you with the basic skills you need to make a start in the field and advance in your knowledge.

Pay varies depending on the field you enter, but education could be helpful toward advancement. Mean earned wages for medical assistants were $29,760; for licensed practical nurses, $41,360; and for medical health service managers, $93,670. Of course, an advanced education is often required for high-paying fields in health care. The expectation for high growth in health and medical services gives health care workers expanded opportunities as to the types of places they want to work, the types of people they want to work with, and even the types of schedules they want to seek. While many health-care workers have 9-to-5 type jobs, other positions require unique shifts to make sure the needs of health care patients are met.