The primary work of careers in the health science cluster is to treat patients facing illness or injury—whether to cure or rehabilitate from a condition, to maintain wellness, or to provide comfort or palliative care to persons dealing with incurable conditions.  The health care industry is booming, and experts predict health care careers will continue to grow rapidly for at least the next decade.

High school education

• Medical secretaries and Administrative Assistants

• Occupational therapy aides

• Orderlies

• Physical therapist aides

Short-term training (usually from a few months to about two years)

• Dental assistants

• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)

• Massage therapists

• Medical assistants

• Phlebotomists

• Radiation therapists

• Surgical technologists

Bachelor’s degree

• Athletic trainers

• Dieticians and nutritionists

• Medical and health services managers

• Registered nurses

Graduate or advanced degree

• Anesthesiologists

• Art Therapists

• Athletic Trainers

• Audiologists

• Chiropractors

• Dentists, General

• Dermatologists

• Epidemiologists

• Family Medicine Physicians

• General Internal Medicine Physicians

• Genetic Counselors

• Hospitalists

• Neurologists

• Nurse Anesthetists

• Nurse Practitioners

• Obstetricians and Gynecologists

• Occupational Therapists

• Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

• Optometrists

• Orthodontists

• Orthotists and Prosthetists

• Pediatricians, General

• Pharmacists

• Physical Therapists

• Physician Assistants

• Physicians, Pathologists

• Podiatrists

• Psychiatrists

• Radiologists

• Speech-Language Pathologists

• Sports Medicine Physicians

• Urologists

• Veterinarians