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Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 | All Occupations

The section of the ocouha website contains the text of the 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook. This information is no longer being updated. For more recent information, start at the ocouha homepage www.ocouha.com.

Health technologists and technicians

  • Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
    • Employment will grow faster than the average, but the number of job openings created will be low because the occupation is small.
    • Employment of most specialties will grow, but fewer EKG technicians will be needed.
    • About 3 out of 4 jobs were in hospitals.
  • Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
    • Clinical laboratory technologists usually have a bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences; clinical laboratory technicians generally need either an associate degree or a certificate.
    • Average employment growth is expected as the volume of laboratory tests increases with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.
    • Job opportunities are expected to be excellent.
  • Dental hygienists
    • Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree; others offer a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree.
    • Job prospects are expected to remain excellent.
    • Opportunities for part-time work and flexible schedules are common.
  • Diagnostic medical sonographers
    • More than half of all sonographers were employed by hospitals, and most of the rest worked in offices of physicians or in medical and diagnostic laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers.
    • Sonographers may train in hospitals, vocational-technical institutions, colleges and universities, and the Armed Forces.
    • Sonographers should experience favorable job opportunities, as sonography becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures.
  • Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
    • Job stress is common because hours of work are irregular and workers often must treat patients in life-or-death situations.
    • Formal training and certification are required, but State requirements vary.
    • Employment is projected to grow faster than average as paid emergency medical technician positions replace unpaid volunteers.
    • Competition will be greater for jobs in local fire, police, and rescue squad departments than in private ambulance services; opportunities will be best for those who have advanced certification.
  • Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
    • Training lasting about 1 year is available in about 1,100 State-approved programs, mostly in vocational or technical schools.
    • Nursing care facilities will offer the most new jobs.
    • Applicants for jobs in hospitals may face competition as the number of hospital jobs for LPNs declines.
  • Medical records and health information technicians
    • This is one of the few health occupations in which there is little or no direct contact with patients.
    • Medical records and health information technicians entering the field usually have an associate degree; courses include anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and computer science.
    • Job prospects should be very good, particularly in offices of physicians.
  • Nuclear medicine technologists
    • Nuclear medicine technology programs range in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree.
    • Faster-than-average growth will arise from an increase in the number of middle-aged and elderly persons, who are the primary users of diagnostic procedures.
  • Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians
    • About 2 out of 5 worked in Federal, State, and local government agencies that enforce rules on health and safety.
    • Many employers, including the Federal Government, require 4-year college degrees in safety or a related field for some specialist positions.
    • Projected average employment growth reflects a balance of continuing public demand for a safe and healthy work environment against the desire for smaller government and fewer regulations.
  • Opticians, dispensing
    • Most dispensing opticians receive training on the job or through apprenticeships lasting 2 or more years; twenty-one States require a license.
    • Projected employment growth reflects steady demand for corrective lenses and eyeglass frames that are in fashion.
    • The number of job openings will be limited because the occupation is small.
  • Pharmacy technicians
    • Job opportunities are expected to be good, especially for those with certification or previous work experience.
    • Many technicians work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
    • Two-thirds of all jobs are in retail pharmacies.
  • Radiologic technologists and technicians
    • Formal training programs in radiography range in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree.
    • Although hospitals will remain the primary employer, a greater number of new jobs will be found in physicians’ offices and diagnostic imaging centers.
    • Job opportunities are expected to be favorable; some employers report difficulty hiring sufficient numbers of radiologic technologists and technicians.
  • Surgical technologists
    • Training programs last 9 to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree.
    • Job opportunities are expected to be favorable.
    • Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices of physicians and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers.
  • Veterinary technologists and technicians
    • Animal lovers get satisfaction in this occupation, but aspects of the work can sometimes be unpleasant and physically and emotionally demanding.
    • Entrants generally complete a 2-year or 4-year veterinary technology program, and must pass a State examination.
    • Employment is expected to grow much faster than average.
    • Keen competition is expected for jobs in zoos.
  • Health practitioners and technical workers, all other

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