Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/743370
14 October, 2016 l Working World l WorkingWorld.com be asked to perform mild patient care, similar to the work of a nursing assistant or home health aide. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $43,480 a year, $20.09 an hour • Suggested education: Associate of Science in Surgical Studies, Trade school or technical college training • Number of jobs in the U.S.: 97,150 28. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT A physician assistant practices medicine under the supervision of a physician or surgeon. Many graduate students will become physician's assistants while they complete their doctor of medicine degree programs. PAs are trained to diagnose injuries, examine patients, and provide treatments. They may work in hospitals, doctor's offices, and many other healthcare settings. Some nurse practitioners work as physician assistants because the training for both jobs is similar. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $92,460 a year, $43.72 an hour • Suggested education: Master of Science in Medicine or equivalent • Number of jobs in the U.S.: 83,640 29. VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIST Veterinary technologists, also called vet techs, provide assistants for veterinarians. They are trained to perform medical tests and help vets diagnose illnesses and injuries in animals. Some aspiring veterinarians will work as vet techs while they are completing their education. This occupation has an estimated job growth rate of 52% between 2010 and 2020, making it one of the fastest growing jobs in America at this time. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $31,470 a year, $14.56 an hour • Suggested education: Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology, Trade school or technical college training • Number of jobs in the U.S.: 83,350 30. PSYCHIATRIC AIDE Psychiatric aides assist psychiatrists as they try to assess patients with mental impairments and emotional instabilities. An aide in this field may lead patients to recreational activities or accompany patients to treatment sessions. In the case of violent patients, a psychiatric aide may have to restrain a patient until he calms down. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $26,680 a year, $11.82 an hour • Suggested education: Associate of Science in Psychiatry, Associate of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Psychiatry • Number of jobs in the U.S.: 77,880 31. MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST Medical transcriptionists listen to recordings from doctors and other medical professionals and write down the words they hear. This provides a written record for audio information that medical staff can refer to in the future. Medical transcriptionists must be excellent listeners and typists, but they are not required to go through much training for work. They work in hospitals, doctor offices, clinics, and in rare occasions, court rooms. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $34,650 a year, $16.36 an hour • Suggested education: High school diploma, Trade school or technical college training • Number of jobs in the U.S.: 74,810 32. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SPECIALIST Occupational health and safety specialists analyze work environments to ensure they are safe for employees and customers alike. They make sure that businesses follow any regulations related to their industries, and they help design programs and setups to prevent injury in the work place. This job is not in high demand at the moment, so some workers choose to specialize in high growth industries, like construction or recreation. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $65,000 a year, $30.39 an hour • Suggested education: Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health • Number of jobs in the U.S.: 71,500 33. LABORATORY ANIMAL CARETAKER Laboratory animal caretakers assist workers in veterinary offices and pet clinics. They are in charge of feeding and watering pets, and they typically have to clean out cages that house animals. They may also assist during medical examinations and procedures, and they may administer medications to sick pets. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $11.12 a year, $24,740 an hour • Suggested education: High School Diploma • Number of jobs in the U.S.: 71,500 34. MASSAGE THERAPIST A massage therapist is a person who uses touch to manipulate muscles in the body. This can relieve tension and stress while allowing the patient to relax. Some massage therapists specialize in specific massage techniques, and others branch out into alternative therapies, like acupuncture. Massage therapists work in offices and clinics, but many commute to their client's homes for appointments. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $40,350 a year, $17.29 an hour • Suggested education: Trade school or technical college training • Number of jobs in the U.S.: 71,040 35. PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT Physical therapy assistants work with physical therapists to help patients get better after an illness or injury. They do not always work directly with patients, but they may prepare a patient for an exercise or consultation. This job is growing much faster than most professions in America, with an estimated increase of 45% in available jobs during the years between 2010 and 2020. (BLS) • Annual salary, hourly wage: $52,320 a year, $25.08 an hour HEALTHCARE continued from page 11