If you’ve ever considered a career in healthcare, now may be the perfect time to pursue career training in the field.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare is expected to add some 5.7 million new jobs by 2020, nationally. Additionally, the BLS projects that wages for healthcare workers will rise 27 percent through 2014. And the sector does particularly well in the Northeast where there is a large concentration of healthcare facilities.

But how do you enter the field? Fortunately, there are many career training programs being offered today where students can complete their education and begin working in healthcare in less than one year.  Many careers in healthcare support are also in demand in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Healthcare support jobs in Massachusetts numbered 100,950 and 49,620 in Connecticut in 2012.

Here are 3 healthcare support careers that are predicted to have strong job growth potential that you can train for in less than 12 months:

Medical Assistant – Medical Assistants work alongside physicians, performing administrative and clinical duties. Medical Assistants can record patient history, measure vital signs, assist with patient exams, give injections, and schedule appointments. Medical Assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers, predicted to grow 29 percent between 2012 and 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Medical Assisting Program at Porter and Chester Institute can be completed in as little as 9 months. The program helps students prepare for their Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exams and provides career service assistance.

Administrative Health Specialist –Administrative Health Specialists play a key role in medical offices and hospitals across the country. They greet patients, manage medical records, process insurance information, pull charts, process payments, and perform other clerical duties to ensure that the office is running smoothly. The Administrative Health Specialist Program at Porter and Chester Institute helps student acquire the skills they need to work in a  professional medical office and can be completed in as little as 9 months. The job outlook throughout the entire healthcare field is expected to remain solid throughout 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Licensed Practical Nurse – Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses, providing basic care to sick and injured patients. Out of all the healthcare careers to choose from, licensed practical nurses play one of the most hands-on roles when it comes to patient care. Jobs for LPNs are expected to grow 25% between 2012 and 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Outlook Handbook. The Practical Nursing Program at Porter and Chester Institute is designed to give students all of the technical and professional skills needed to become a LPN and the knowledge base that will help them pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

Porter and Chester Institute offers a wide array of heath care programs at its nine convenient locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. The programs are taught by experienced health care professionals. Fill out the form to learn more about how Porter and Chester Institute can help prepare you for a new health care career!