Posts tagged with “healthcare”

Very few people will find a job that they will sustain throughout their lives, however, a common denominator when asking job seekers what they most look for in a job is stability. Considering the harsh economic times and hiring/firing trends of companies this is hardly a surprise. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health care industry employed 14 million workers in 2006. Even better, this already large domain is projected to hire for 3 million more new job by 2016.

Unfortunately, health care jobs often requiring extensive schooling, on the job training, and experience. Nevertheless, not all of these jobs will be opening for neurosurgeons and cardiac surgeons. In fact, it may be surprising to learn that you can find a new career in health care with minimal training. Some jobs require very little on-the-job training and less than a bachelors degree. Not only will you be in a growing, stable field, but you will be helping out others as well.

The Federal minimum wage in this country is $7.25, but the only jobs that really pay that are fast food joints and other entry-level or 'no-brainer' type positions, right? Wrong. You might be surprised but some very low paying jobs come with shockingly high levels of responsibility.

• EMT (Emergeny Medical Technician) Despite having people's lives in their hands on a daily basis the U.S. median wage is less than $10/hr, and some earn as little as $8-something.
• Pharmacy Tech Gathering patient information, sorting pills, and assisting pharmacists doesn't pay as well as you'd think: try an average of $9.93 with a bottom of only $7.88/hr.
• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) CNA's are responsible for the care and safety of people in need. It's a physically demanding, thankless job that pays less than $10/hr (average $9.81, low end $8.12).
• Preschool Teacher They're responsible for teaching your kids, keeping them safe, and having the unlimited patience it requires to deal with bunches of them running around all day. All that for as little as $8.19/hr and an average of $10.50.
  
• Lifeguard They have to both be ready and have the skills to swim out and save someone's life at a moment's notice -- resuscitation and all. Not to mention they often play referee keeping everybody safe around the pool or lake all day while doing it. The pay for that kind of pressure? As little as $7-8 per hour.