It is a well-known fact that there is a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals across the nation. Healthcare professionals such as medical technologists, lab technicians, and physician’s assistants are also in high demand. As our population ages, we will continue to see an increased need for their services.

The health care profession overall is in short-range and long-range jeopardy” of not being able to find enough qualified employees, said Nancy Foster, corporate director of human resources for Lake Hospital System.

There are about 6,200 allied health professional jobs in Northeast Ohio, according to a study released in July by the Center for Health Affairs’ Northeast Ohio Nursing Initiative. That figure is expected to grow as new health care equipment demands special training for those who run the machines, said Ron Dziedzicki, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at University Hospitals.

For example, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of physician assistant positions nationwide to climb 55% by 2014 from the 53,000 at present. Likewise, the number of lab technicians is expected to rise nearly 23% by 2014, according to the BLS, which estimates the current number at 257,000.

Anyone looking to change careers or enter the healthcare industry can almost be guaranteed job security. There will be a serious demand for qualified healthcare workers – now and in the future. Salary will most likely rise in healthcare, as there will be a great need to attract workers to fill available positions.