JEFFERSON CITY — Thousands of jobs in health care are waiting for just the right person to apply. With health care workforce shortages already occurring, and future demand for health services expected to grow significantly, the Missouri Hospital Association has enhanced MissouriHealthCareers.com, a site for students and jobseekers to understand where they might fit in the workforce — from patient care to paperwork — and direct them to where they can get the required training.
“I have been blessed to have a career in health care, working side by side with amazing clinical caregivers,” said Jon D. Doolittle, MHA President and CEO. “If service as a doctor, nurse or other clinician is a good fit for someone, we want to help that person access resources to help them live out that honorable and essential vocation. The additional message for those like me who do not pursue clinical training is that there are hundreds of possible careers in health care, many of which involve little or no direct patient care. Life in a health care organization is a wonderful way to serve and to connect with those who need us most.”
The website walks visitors through a career quiz that can help determine their trajectory. Using a series of questions about education, income, patient interaction and other relevant interests, the site guides individuals to career paths that meet their preferences. Additionally, a new “compare careers” tool allows users to view careers of interest side-by-side to compare salary, job growth and education. Then the site connects individuals with a path forward, recommending links to educational institutions that provide training in Missouri and scholarship information where applicable.
“Demand for health care workers of all kinds is high, as hospitals and the health care system need all of these workers to ensure that when patients need us, we are there.” Doolittle said. “The aging of the baby boomers will expand the need for workers into the next few decades. Changes in technology, care delivery and all the support systems make a career in health a good long-term bet. These are stable, well-paying and rewarding jobs. I actively encourage my children and their friends to consider applying their gifts through careers as care providers.”
MHA research finds that a wealth of opportunity exists for jobs in, and supporting, care. Vacancy rates, an indicator that not enough qualified applicants are available to fill a position, are high in a variety of positions. Although some of these careers require years of education and experience, others do not. MissouriHealthCareers.com helps guide all potential health care workers to the jobs that might meet their expectations for experience, education, salary and work environment.
“The website helps dispel the notion that to work in health care, an individual needs to be a doctor or a nurse,” Doolittle added. “Some of these jobs do require a significant investment in education and training, but not all of them. That’s an important message for students and jobseekers.”
The Missouri Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 142 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.