CLusTEr PrOfiLE
Medical advances and rising demand
are creating exciting opportunities in
HEALTH SCIENCE.
T
o be successful in health science,” says Cora Lahey, health
science instructor at McNeil High School in Austin, “one
needs to be patient and detail-oriented, have an excellent work
ethic and a great sense of responsibility.”
Health science is serious business, but if a student has what it
takes to succeed, the cluster offers a vast array of career possibilities.
Exciting research in medical technology, including that involving
robotic parts that can be installed directly into the recipient’s
existing muscles, medicines tailor-made for a person’s specific
DNA, and pill-sized cameras recording internal views of a patient’s
digestive tract, is opening new possibilities for healing and new
opportunities for students with an interest in science. At the same
time, the increasing healthcare needs of an aging Texas population
Health Science
is driving the demand for well-trained medical professionals.
Limitless Opportunity
“As medical technology advances and the demand for a higher
Futures
level of expertise increases, the opportunities in health care
become virtually limitless,” says Renee Tonquest, curriculum
specialist at the University of North Texas in Denton.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor
Statistics, eight of America’s 20 fastest-growing occupations are
in health services. The Texas Workforce Commission says Texas
healthcare and social assistance positions are expected to grow 34
percent by 2012, with the greatest increases projected for home
healthcare services. As the population ages, jobs in this area are
expected to grow 48 percent.
10
Fast-Growing Careers
The demand for nurses is also increasing. Texas will need as
many as 138,000 registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational
occupation
% Growth New Jobs Created
nurses (LVNs), and nurse’s aides in the next seven to 10 years.
(2002–2012) (2002–2012)
Average annual salaries for RNs are well over $40,000, with
medical records and Health Information Technician 55.3% 4,950
signing bonuses up to $5,000.
physician assistant 52.8% 2,350
“There is currently an abundance of available work in many
respiratory Therapy Technician 47.4% 900
specialty areas,” says Faith Macienko-Krenck, a certified pediatric
nurse practitioner at Rowlett Pediatrics in Mesquite, who adds
physical Therapist 38.0% 3,250
that students can enter the field at a variety of education levels.
medical and Health services manager 37.5% 6,400
Home health aides can enter the workforce with a high school
registered nurse 34.6% 47,500
diploma and short-term on-the-job training. An associate’s degree
speech-language pathologist 34.3% 2,500 and license qualify RNs for employment. Clinical laboratory
pharmacy Technician 34.0% 5,950
scientists require bachelor’s degrees, physical therapists need
master’s degrees. Physicians must earn a doctor of medicine
nuclear medicine Technologist 31.6% 300
(MD) degree, plus complete years of hands-on training as
radiologic Technologist and Technician 30.0% 3,350
interns and residents in a particular medical specialty. Pay
This is a projection of 10 fast-growing careers in health science in Texas from the year 2002 to 2012 and the rates range as widely as educational requirements, from an
number of new jobs created in each occupation. Note that while the percentage of growth in jobs may be
high, the actual number of jobs created may be low. Source: Texas Workforce Commission.
average of $7.19 an hour for home health aides to $88.53 an
hour for orthodontists.
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