Monday January 23, 2012
This week is National Nurse Anesthetists Week, honoring the advanced practice, highly specialized nursing role of CRNAs - certified registered nurse anesthetists. CRNAs are some of the most highly compensated of all nurses. All CRNAs have an advanced degree at least of a master's level from an accredited nurse anesthetist training program.
In a statement, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists has this to say about this annual recognition of CRNAs:
"Every day, CRNAs provide anesthesia with the professional quality and personal care patients expect and deserve when facing surgery or other healthcare procedures that require anesthesia.
Whether the CRNA is at the head of the surgical table, caring for trauma patients in the emergency room, or easing labor pains for new mothers, patients can rest assured that they are in the care of an anesthesia professional committed to providing the safest, most comfortable anesthesia experience possible."
More:
Follow Me: Twitter | Facebook
Friday January 20, 2012
The health care hiring market for 2012 will remain an in demand sector, as many employers struggle to find the right candidates in their markets. More than a third (37 percent) of health care employers have jobs open for which they cannot find qualified candidates. This is according to a new study from MiracleWorkers.com - CareerBuilder's job site for health care professionals - conducted November 9 to December 5, 2011, among more than 350 health care employers.
Salary Growth and In-Demand Positions
A third (34 percent) of health care employers will offer higher starting salaries to new employees in 2012. Sixty-four percent of existing employees will also see salary increases this year. For jobs that are tough to fill - typically high-skilled or high-demand positions - wages traditionally go up.
The following five job titles, according to CareerBuilder's Supply & Demand Portal, have seen the greatest downward shift in labor pressure, meaning they have become increasingly more difficult to fill.
1. Critical Care Nurses
2. Surgical Technologists
3. Radiological Technologists
4. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
5. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Training Programs and Recruiting College Grads
Thirty-seven percent of health care employers say they can't find qualified candidates for open positions. To counter the persistent skills gap affecting recruitment in the health care industry, more employers are targeting young talent and are willing to train workers without experience. Fifty-one percent of healthcare employers will target recent college grads this year, compared to 40 percent for 2011. One-third of healthcare employers plan to train and hire workers with no prior experience in the industry or field.
Turnover and Retaining Top Talent
Retaining and attracting top talent remains an important priority for health care employers in 2012. More than a quarter (28 percent) said they saw an increase in voluntary turnover - employees leaving for other opportunities - in 2011. Forty-five percent are concerned top performers may leave their organization this year, and 41 percent say they'll replace lower performing employees with higher performing employees.
More:
Follow Health Careers: Facebook | Twitter
Friday January 13, 2012
During rough economic times, workers experience multiple levels of stress related to layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts and myriad other issues. Most employees just want to ensure their jobs are secure. Laurence Shatkin, in his new book 150 Best Jobs for a Secure Future, details the most secure occupations and fields, and the healthcare industry was among the top six most secure fields in which to work. The other fields offering the most job security include computer systems design, educational services, government, repair and maintenance, and utilities.
"During economic downturns, these fields tend not to shed workers as much as other fields do, and the overall outlook for employment in these fields is good to excellent," Shatkin said.
"Combining medical technology and the human touch, the healthcare field diagnoses, treats and administers care around the clock, responding to the needs of millions of people--from newborns to the terminally ill. Because it meets a lifelong need and the demand for health care is increasing rapidly, this is one of the most secure career fields."
One example of many high-growth health careers are physicians and surgeons. With an average annual income of $153,000 and potential to earn much more as a specialist, physicians and surgeons are among the most lucrative health professions. Growth of about 26 percent is projected for the profession, with about 29,480 positions open in a given year.
More:
Follow Health Careers: Facebook | Twitter
Sunday January 8, 2012
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly unemployment data for December, revealing another strong month of job growth for healthcare, and a few other sectors.
The healthcare industry added 23,000 jobs in December, in a variety of settings. The healthcare industry grew by 315,000 jobs over the year of 2011.
In December, hospitals added 1o,000 of the total new healthcare jobs, while over 11,000 jobs were added in ambulatory care settings.
Home health added the most ambulatory care jobs in December, with about 2,000 new jobs. Other new ambulatory care jobs included about 1,900 jobs added in medical offices, and 1,600 added in outpatient care centers.
As for the nation's overall job growth, over 200,000 jobs were added. As a result, the unemployment rate edged down to 8.5 percent, compared to the healthcare industry's unemployment rate of 5.5 percent.
More:
Follow Health Careers: Facebook | Twitter
