Contributed By: Marty Winchester

Healthcare today is more relevant and important than ever. The Baby Boomer generation is hitting retirement age and the average-life expectancy continues to rise. These issues have brought attention to the fact that very soon the number of elderly people requiring care will far outnumber the available healthcare workers and resources. Particularly here in Florida, these factors are placing an ever increasing strain on the healthcare system.

The medical community is adapting to these changes through the implementation of new technology and techniques. They are also employing a growing number of adaptable, compassionate people in many different positions. If you are looking to start a new career, please consider something in the medical field. Below are several different ideas along with brief descriptions that might be of interest.

Home Health Aide: Many elderly and disabled people live by themselves, with little to no human contact. As a home health aide you will provide one-on-one companionship, professional healthcare services and help with your clients daily activities. This allows them to remain in an independent living situation instead of being placed in a nursing home.

Medical Billing and Claims Specialist: Have you ever suffered through the nightmare of sitting on the phone with an adjuster, trying to make sense of impossible to understand medical bills? Thankfully, the technology in the medical billing field is improving and insurers, hospitals and doctors offices are on the lookout people who know how to process claims, calculate reimbursements, and explain it all with a smile on their face.

Social Worker focusing on Gerontology: Older adults require people in social services who are trained to address their specific needs. This includes dealing with any mental, social, physical, economic or legal issue that may arise. Gerontologists work to establish trusting relationships and coordinate necessary services so that their client’s lives are enriched as much as possible.

Healthcare Administrator: If leadership and organization are among your strong points, this might be the career for you. Although this position requires a Masters degree, there are programs available that make it possible for you to learn when it is convenient to you. Healthcare administrators can be found in many different environments, from small nursing homes to large hospitals. Responsibilities may vary but usually include the management and coordination of day-to-day operations, overseeing financial issues, and ensuring that all policies are followed. They also implement new technology while keeping everything running smoothly.

Health Information Management Technician: Do you know where you stand on the debate over electronic medical records? Digitized health information is creating something of a privacy concern to many people; others feel that that the convenience is worth it. People working in this field need to be accurate and organized and are responsible for providing requested records, maintaining databases and staying up to date with the latest technology and coding. There is an increased need for HIM specialists as additional procedures and treatments associated with aging are recorded.

Clinical Research Associate: This is a fascinating position right on the forefront of medical technology. As a clinical research associate you will assist in various studies by maintaining regulatory government requirements, recording and interpreting data in an accurate manner, and providing a line of communication between all involved parties. Pharmaceutical companies are always developing new products to keep up with the demands and requirements of the aging population.

Physical Therapy Assistant: As Baby Boomers get older they often wish to take back control of their bodies through therapy and exercise. The thought of spending their twilight years dealing with constant knee pain or intermittent back spasms doesn’t sound too appealing, so they are turning to physical therapy. Physical therapy assistants work one-on-one with patients, providing assistance with equipment and demonstrating how to perform proper exercises. The goal is to increase mobility, decrease pain and deal with disability as effectively as possible.

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