Health Care Workers Needed — Stat!

Most of us have heard about the critical shortage of nurses in this country and the ongoing effort to recruit and train new nurses for these high-demand jobs; however, nursing is just one aspect of a vast health care industry that is experiencing explosive growth and a shortage of skilled workers at all levels.

... as medical research continues to develop new and specialized techniques and procedures for diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases, illnesses and injuries, the demand for health care professionals will only increase."

The health services industry represents about 8 percent of total industry employment in Illinois.(1) Employment within the health services industry in Illinois is expected to increase by about 19 percent through the year 2010, which is much faster than the statewide average for all industries.

According to labor reports, employment growth in the health care industry will continue to expand due to an aging population and longer life expectancies. Advancements in medical technology have also created a need for additional skilled health care workers. And, as medical research continues to develop new and specialized techniques and procedures for diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases, illnesses and injuries, the demand for health care professionals will only increase.(2)

The majority of health care workers are employed in hospitals, while others are employed by clinics, laboratories, nursing homes, research institutes, public health services, mental health facilities, private medical practices and pharmaceutical companies. Employment can also be found in schools, government, private businesses and the Armed Forces.(3)

What Are the Occupations?

Not every health care occupation requires years of education.

The U.S. Department of Labor states that among all occupations in the economy, health care and computer jobs are expected to grow the fastest between now and the year 2014.(4)

Home health aides are at the very top of the list of high-growth jobs. Home health aides care for elderly, recovering or disabled persons in their own homes. They give clients their medication, check clients' pulse, temperature and respiration rates and may also bathe, dress and groom them.(5)

According to a report by The Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago,(6) the health care occupations experiencing the most critical shortages are: registered nurses (RNs); Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs); Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs); technicians and technologists (in a number of different specialties); therapists and therapist assistants (in different specialties); and medical records occupations.

Not every health care occupation requires years of education. Some of the fastest growing jobs in health care involve minimal or moderate on-the-job training, such as: home health aides, medical assistants, dental assistants and physical therapist aides. Other occupations require an associate's degree, including physical therapist assistants, dental hygienists, forensic science technicians, diagnostic medical sonographers, occupational therapist assistants and cardiovascular technologists and technicians.(7)

Mary Anne Kelly, vice president of human capital services for the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, offers additional insight. "In terms of certification or on-the-job training programs, there are EKG technicians, phlebotomists (those who draw blood), pharmacy technicians and patient care techs," says Kelly. "And, on the business side, medical billers are very much in demand," she adds.

As far as jobs that require a two-year degree, Kelly says radiologic technologists and respiratory therapists are in demand, along with jobs in physical and occupational therapy. "Hospitals are really hurting for physical and occupational therapists and therapist assistants," says Kelly.

Many occupations in allied health, especially those of assistants or aides who work for physicians in private practices, are excellent opportunities for individuals who wish to work part-time in a health-related career.(8)

Kelly emphasizes that workers are being hired at the same rate at all kinds of health care organizations, with some exceptions. "We're anticipating faster job growth in skilled care facilities and home health care, which is directly linked to the aging population," she says.

Pay/Benefits

Wages in the health care field, particularly in hospital settings, can be very rewarding. "Phlebotomists and pharmacy technicians can earn $13 to $14 per hour," says Kelly. She adds that medical lab assistants earn about $19 per hour, and physical therapist assistants earn approximately $21 to $22 per hour. Additional training can also boost an individual's earning potential. "If you come in as a phlebotomist, you can go back to school to become a medical lab technician and increase your salary by 35 to 40 percent," says Kelly.

In hospital settings, most employees work a 36–40 hour week that often includes working on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor,(9) the average earnings of non-supervisory workers in most health care segments are higher than the average for all private industry. Hospital workers earn considerably more than the average, while those employed in nursing and residential care facilities and home health care services earn less. Average earnings often are higher in hospitals because the percentage of jobs requiring higher levels of education and training is greater. Those segments of the industry with lower earnings employ large numbers of part-time service workers.

Health care establishments that must be staffed around the clock to care for patients and handle emergencies often pay premiums for overtime and weekend work, holidays, late shifts, and time spent on call. Bonuses and profit-sharing payments also may add to earnings. Some establishments offer tuition reimbursement, paid training, child day care services, and flexible work hours.

In hospital settings, most employees work a 36 ndash; 40 hour week that often includes working on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Overtime is also sometimes required. Fringe benefits for hospital employees usually include paid vacations, health insurance and sick leave. Some hospitals even provide free education courses, pension programs, uniforms and salaries for on-the-job training.(10)

Although home health aides are among the fastest growing occupations, the drawbacks include low pay and no benefits. In Illinois, salaries for home health aides range from a starting wage of $6.32 to $9.70 per hour for experienced aides, with a median hourly wage of $8.39.(11) In addition, home health aides receive only slight pay increases with experience and added responsibility. Usually, they are paid only for the time worked in the home, not for travel time between jobs. Most employers hire only on-call hourly workers and provide no benefits.(12)

Personal Qualifications

There are certain personal qualifications all health care workers must possess including good health, emotional stability and the capacity and desire to work with and help the sick and injured. Health care personnel must also be accurate, thorough, responsible, sympathetic, versatile, and also possess a willingness to keep abreast of new medical procedures and technical equipment.(13)

Kelly points out that there is also a great need for bilingual health care professionals in Chicago – especially those who speak Spanish and Polish.

Some workers especially technologists and technicians must be able to operate complicated electronic equipment and delicate instrumentation. In addition, all health care professionals must have an interest and aptitude for biological and physical sciences.(14) "The biggest barrier to working in the health care [field] is lack of a math and science background," says Kelly. She adds that language can also be a barrier and recommends classes in ESL or VESL (Vocational English as a Second Language) to those who need help in that area.

Kelly points out that there is also a great need for bilingual health care professionals in Chicago — especially those who speak Spanish and Polish. "We're a very diverse community.

There's a real need for cultural competency," says Kelly.

Criminal Backgrounds

Kelly recommends that individuals who have a criminal background, and who are interested in working in the field of health care, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to see if they qualify for a health care waiver.

Health care employers in Illinois are required by The Health Care Worker Background Check Act to conduct a criminal background check for certain applicants of health care positions hired on or after January 1, 1996. The Act prohibits the hiring of any applicant or retaining of any employee involved in direct patient care who has been convicted of any of the enumerated criminal offenses after the effective dates, unless the applicant or employee obtains a waiver.

Job seekers can call or write the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to obtain a waiver application: Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Healthcare Regulation, 525 West Jackson Street, 5th Floor, Springfield, IL 62761. (217) 782-2913. IDPH can fax rather than mail an application form upon request.

IDPH reviews applications to consider the type of offense, how long it's been since the offense, and the individual's work history since the offense. Job seekers should be aware that there are no rules or regulations governing whether a waiver is granted or not, and that, according to IDPH, less than half of waiver applications are approved. For more information on The Health Care Worker Background Check Act and waiver process, please visit CJC's and Illinois Department of Employment Security's website, www.ides.state.il.us/exoffenders.