3 of the Fastest Growing Allied Health Careers to Keep an Eye On

With 13 million workers across the country, the healthcare industry is by and large the biggest industry in the United States. Even with its impressive presence today, the healthcare field is also home to 10 of the 20 fastest growing industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Perhaps even more impressive is that a majority of these positions filled will be by people with 4 years or less of training. That's in large part due to the availability of allied-health training, such as what's offered at Compass Career College.

Below are three of the fastest growing allied health careers in the country, all of which are areas of study we offer here at CCC:

Medical Assistants

Medical assistants perform clinical and administrative duties under the guidance of doctors, surgeons, chiropractors and other medical specialists. Depending on where the position is held, duties may vary greatly, but could include the following:

• Greeting patients
• Maintaining medical records
• Completing insurance paperwork
• Drafting letters
• Scheduling patient appointments
• Setting up laboratory tests/hospital stays
• Handling patient billing

As the U.S. population continues to age, and the medical field grows, medical assistants will be in even greater demand. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 23 percent by 2024.

Medical assistants typically complete post-high school certification or an associate's program lasting 1-2 years.

Nurse Assistants/Aides

Nurse aides perform routine nursing-related services to patients in hospitals or long-term care facilities, under the guidance of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

Nurse aides are frequently physically active and may need to help lift or move patients. Employment of nurse aides/assistants is projected to grow 17 percent from 2017 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, in large part due to the growing elderly population.

Nurse aides must complete a state-approved education program and must pass their state's competency exam to become certified.

Medical billing and coding

Medical records and health information technicians, also known as health information technicians, organize and manage health information data.

They ensure that the information maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper files and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories. Most health information technicians work in hospitals or physicians’ offices.

Employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 15 percent by 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.

Medical billing and coding technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although some may need an associate’s degree. Certification is often required.

Start your healthcare career off without years of education or student debt

Each of the three careers above represent areas of healthcare that are in demand, require less than four years of schooling, and offer a viable opportunity to make a healthy living.

With little to no school debt, and the ability to start your career earlier than counterparts who choose to pursue a 4-year degree, the allied health programs we offer at Compass Career College are perfect for anyone looking to start their professional journey into healthcare.