Health Care
Part-time vs. Full-time
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- As of 2002, just under 60% of establishments employing health services wage and salary workers were offices of physicians and of dentists (37.3% of establishments for physicians and 21.6% of establishments for dentists). Combined, these establishments employed about 21% of all health services wage and salary workers. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Of the 6,648,000 total health care practitioner and technical occupational workers (2003 data), 5,256,000 work full-time (79.1%), while 1,392,000 work part-time (20.9%). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Of the 2,926,000 total health care support occupational workers (2003 data), 2,115,000 work full-time (72.3%), while 811,000 work part-time (27.7%). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Skill Sets:
- Many health care jobs require less than four years of college education, although most technical jobs require at least a two-year technical degree.
- A variety of post-high school programs provide specialized training for jobs in health services. Students preparing for health care careers can enter programs leading to a certificate or a degree at the associate, baccalaureate, professional, or graduate level. Two-year programs resulting in certificates or associate degrees are the minimum standard credential for occupations such as a dental hygienist or radiological technologist.
- Entry-level health care employees need basic employability skills such as arriving to work on time, communicating effectively, solving problems, setting goals, and working in a team.
- Managers in health care need to have the management and coaching skills, as well as that cultural competency skills to enable them to effectively communicate in an increasingly diverse work environment.
