All over Illinois, healthcare professionals need qualified office and clinical staff. That's where you come in.

By Gabby Hyman
RWM Columnist
April 12, 2007

In Illinois, healthcare professionals are part of one of the fastest-growing professions of the decade. If you're looking for a stable, in-demand career, Illinois offers a wealth of administrative and clinical healthcare jobs--and you can get the training you need there, too.

National Opportunities
Following national trends, the Illinois healthcare industry employs a growing army of clerks, receptionists, medical assistants, and insurance claims coders to serve an aging Baby Boomer population in need of healthcare. In each professional niche, experts predict increased employment in the coming years.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• Health information technicians, medical records clerks, and receptionists will see a 30 percent increase in job openings through 2014.
• Medical assistants will have the "fastest growing occupations over the 2004-14 period."

For many employers, applicants with professional certifications or healthcare degrees will move to the top of the callback list. For example, medical coding techs with vocational school training in insurance billing and regulations are considered "in particularly high demand."

Excellent Local Training
Throughout the Land of Lincoln, technical and trade schools are on hand to provide accelerated, job-oriented training for many healthcare careers. Illinois vocational schools also offer medical assisting , insurance coding , and healthcare administration courses that can speed you onto the job in as little as 15 months. Many certifications, diplomas, and degrees are available-- including both associate's and bachelor's degrees.

Come for the Degree, Stay for a Career
Like the rest of the nation, Illinois expects more patients every year, so there's an urgent need for trained healthcare administration professionals in medical offices, insurance companies, clinics, retirement communities, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. If you have a strong desire to help others--often in times of medical and financial hardship--consider Illinois a primary destination for your vocational school training.

Source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Health Care"

About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.