The healthcare system has been receiving a great deal of attention lately thanks to President Obama’s call to reform the system, but healthcare deserves attention for more reasons than the need for reformation. The reality is that the healthcare industry is a great place to turn when looking for work, which is exactly why many people are deciding to switch gears and to pursue a career in the health field.

According to an article in the New York Times, a growing number of midcareer managers and other professionals are deciding to leave their current careers in order to pursue a job in the healthcare industry. Thanks to the recession, healthcare careers are looking particularly enticing due to their attractive salaries and stability they have to offer.

During a time when many companies are closing doors and industries are laying off workers, the healthcare industry has actually been adding on new jobs. Hospitals, for example, already employ more than four million people. Yet, they added 135,000 more jobs last year and another 19,400 during the first half of the year this year.

The healthcare industry isn’t just looking for doctors, nurses and individuals to provide patient care. In fact, the industry continues to need qualified individuals to fill leadership positions as well. As such, managers and other professionals in non-health related fields have been finding plenty of management positions within the healthcare field.

In order to move into the healthcare management field, some professionals do find it necessary to head back to school in order to pick up the extra knowledge they need to be successful in the field. The Hopkins school is one popular option, as it offers a three-year master’s of public health degree that can be earned through online studies.

The number of healthcare management positions isn’t the only area of growth, however, as President Obama’s push for electronic medical records has also opened up many employment opportunities. In order to meet the President’s goal to make all medical records available electronically, there will be a need for an estimated 40,000 to 160,000 health information professionals to do the job. This, of course, could be an excellent career for those with a background in technology to pursue.

To learn more about a variety of careers you can pursue within the healthcare industry, visit the Top Colleges home page today. We are sure you will find the perfect career to suit your needs!