Hospital jobs are always in high demand. Hospitals are staffed with many different kinds of people and professions. Not all hospital positions involve the direct care of patients; in fact, many hospital jobs are non-clinical in nature. These non-clinical hospital jobs can be of an administrative, financial, executive, or custodial nature. Working in a large hospital is like working in a small community with many other co-workers. Hospitals are large public places where many visitors go to get medical care of all types. Hospital workers contribute to the health of both the economy and of the population. There are over 4.7 million jobs in the United States and the entire health care sector comprising of 1/6th of the entire country’s gross domestic product. Overall the health care sector is composed of over 14.7 million jobs. As the rest of the American economy in recession, hospital employment is experiencing either growth or stability. In February 2010, as the rest of the economy shed 34,000 jobs, hospital employment grew by 1,500 new jobs. In the 12 month period between February 2009 and February 2010, hospital employment grew by 0.7% with 32,700 new jobs added in that period. When compared to the overall growth of the entire Hospital employment is generally considered a recession proof job because people are always going to need medical care. Unfortunately, some of the nation’s largest cities had to close down a few hospitals within the last two years. However, the bigger picture shows hospital employment to be a promising choice of career.

There are many different types of hospital jobs available. The type of job depends on an individual’s qualifications, education, and experience. Not all jobs in hospitals are related to the direct care of the patients. Hospital jobs can be divided into two different types: clinical and non-clinical. Clinical jobs involve the health care specific training that include getting a Doctorate in medicine, nursing degree, or a trade school degree. Non-clinical jobs generally involve the administration, maintenance, and other services provided in the facility.

Clinical Hospital Positions

•Doctor – Doctors must undergo several years of training and an advanced degree in medicine before certified to practice. The doctor position is a highly professionalized position, training takes approximately 8 years, which includes the earning of a Bachelors, Doctorate, residency training, and certification. Hospital doctors can be specialized in several different aspects of medical practice. Hospital doctors provide critical care to patients. They have authority over nurses. Doctors have high paying salaries that reflect the level of training and responsibilities to which they are held.

•Nurses – Nurses must get their certification to practice medicine as a nurse. Nursing school takes approximately four years plus on-the-job training at a teaching hospital. Nurses have a more direct relationship with patients than doctors do. Nurses have a position that is subordinate to doctors. They execute many of the tests and administration of medications that patients need. Nurses work many hours. The nature of the work a nurse does is specific to the ward in which she or he works.

•Surgeon – Surgeons are medical doctors that are specialized in performing operations.

•Medical assistants – Medical assistants make sure that the doctor has the proper tools and medications to carry out care of patients. Medical assistants do not have to go through as many years of training that nurses do. Often these hospital workers have trade school degrees that could be completed in two years after receiving their high school diploma or GED.

•Therapists – The training and education necessary to become a medical therapist varies depending on what type of therapy in which the therapist is specialized. Physical therapists generally have four year degrees and their job focuses on the patient’s rehabilitation from injury or surgery.

•Pharmacists – The training necessary to become a pharmacist requires a four year degree in pharmacological science. After the degree is earned, a certification test must be taken and passed. Pharmacists are knowledgeable of medical drugs and fill prescriptions for patients. They instruct patients on how to take prescription drugs safely and properly.

•Dietitian – Dietitians are qualified to give patients nutritional information in order to ensure a patient’s optimal health. Dietitians can be certified to practice in four to five years.

Non-Clinical Hospital Positions
•Case manager / Social Worker – These hospital workers give critical help to those who may have had to visit the hospital as a result of physical or sexual abuse. Social workers and case managers also deal with the unfortunate circumstances of orphaned children who died in the hospitals. Social workers deal with all social issues that surround interpersonal relations that may involve the breaking of laws.

•Accountants – Accountants contribute to the financial health of the hospital itself. They make sure that all employees are paid properly and make sure that all administrative expenses are taken care of.

•Human Resources & Recruiting

•Executives – CEO, CFO, CIO.

•Information Technology – With the growing dependence on computers for administrative and archival purposes, IT professionals are increasingly necessary for the proper conduction of a hospital. Medical records are increasingly being stored electronically. These professionals are in charge of keeping electronic information safe and secure.

•Administrative Assistants

All hospital positions require a high degree of people and communication skills. An average size hospital has hundreds of employees and patients are coming in and out every hour. The hospital atmosphere can easily be regarded as controlled chaos. Hospital jobs are generally more secure than corporate jobs because the need for urgent medical care is constant. Hospitals are generally not the most progressive places to work. Other than new technologies being adopted, hospitals as an institution are unlikely to change very much for the duration of a career. For some people, hospital politics are a turnoff from the workplace environment. However, all jobs involve a certain degree of politics. Another drawback of choosing a hospital as a place of work is that patients entering could be contagious. Therefore, there is a greater risk of infection for hospital workers. Overall, hospitals are great places to work and contribute much to the benefit of entire communities and economies.