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Many people who have lost jobs to the recession may find a cure for unemployment in the health care field. The need for specialty nurses, therapists and technicians of all kinds has stayed strong. Recruiters say health care reform could trigger even more growth.

The Obama administration touts health care as one of the industries that will drive a jobs recovery. But all this doesn't add up to easy opportunity. Many health care jobs require applicants to go back to school, receive some sort of certification and deal with at least a temporary pay cut. Michelle Vesey walked away from a $65,000-a-year job to return to school full-time to become a nurse. The 47-year-old Inkster, Mich., resident took a buyout from Ford Motor Co. in 2007 and is living off a small stipend until she completes her degree in 2011. Demand is strong in physical and occupational therapy. People who work in these areas help patients recover after a hospital stay or take care of themselves. Bob Livonius, the CEO of Medfinders, a health care staffing and recruiting company, said he sees a need for certified nursing assistants, home health aides and personal companions who work in home care. The much-reported nursing shortage eased somewhat during the recession as retired nurses returned to work and part-timers switched to full-time status. But there's still a staffing deficit in specialty areas such as intensive care units and emergency rooms. Unfortunately, there's also a nursing school faculty shortage. Not all the health care jobs involve working with patients. Billions in economic stimulus money have been set aside for upgrading electronic medical records and health care technology; that bodes well for people who already have accounting or information technology experience

About Pay package

It depends on training levels, need and location, among other factors. For example, MRI technicians need state certification and six months to a year of training. Starting salaries then can range around $55,000. A certified nurse aide can make between $21,000 and $31,000 annually, while an oncology staff nurse can earn as much as $73,000 a year, according to Medfinders, which is based in Arlington, Texas. The more education you have, the more you're likely to earn. Licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, receive two-thirds of the pay a registered nurse gets, Ms. Nowakowski said. LPNs generally need up to 18 months of training from a technical or vocational school. Registered nurses need an associate's or bachelor's degree. Many employers offer tuition assistance or training to advance your career, said Maria Benedetti, the vice president of recruitment for Hospital Corp. of America, which operates 163 hospitals in 20 states. Many positions also have certification requirements that vary by state. William Striggles worked 31 years for Ford Motor Co. before he took a buyout in 2007 and returned to school to become a registered nurse. Recruiters say people skills are a must in health care, since hospitals and other facilities are increasingly stressing patient satisfaction. The flexibility to work on evenings, weekends and holidays also is important. Patience is another must. Julia Clement-Voigt needed five years of night classes to bulk up on science before she entered nursing school. She was a sales agent and designer for a custom cabinet and closet company when she decided on the career switch.

Strength of healthcare industry

Health care spending per person grows about 6 percent year, said Mark Pauly, an economics professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. More spending means more jobs. Congress is trying to find ways to cover the uninsured and lower health care costs. No one knows yet what the legislation will ultimately look like. If reform slows total spending, that could hurt job growth overall, Mr. Pauly said. But opportunity could spike in some areas if reform helps cover more uninsured people. That could boost demand for preventive care and in turn, the need for nurses and primary care doctors.

Source: The Augusta Chronicle

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