5 Healthcare Careers in High Demand in 2022 and Beyond

By Jessica Dearborn

As the demand for healthcare workers rises due to an aging population and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic increases, so do employment options. Take a look at these five in-demand healthcare careers – Case Management, Clinical Trials Administration, Emergency Room Nursing, Healthcare Revenue Cycle and Lactation Consultation – to discover your next step.

Case Management

As the population ages and grows, there's been an increased need for healthcare managers. Case management positions are expected to grow 11% between 2014 and 2024, creating an additional 44,200 healthcare jobs by 2024. 

Case managers work closely with clients in a healthcare environment to support and meet their healthcare needs. They are responsible for coordinating care, adjusting or finding insurance plans, referring new patients, evaluating healthcare results and the overall care of their clients. They work with the medical and non-medical professionals to assist with a patient's healthcare, hospital and insurance needs. And they can be found working in various healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, group medical practices, and other support programs.

The education requirements can vary depending on where you live. Some employers only require a high school diploma; others require case managers to have clinical experience and a four-year undergraduate degree in an area such as nursing or social work. Some employers also require certification from the Commission for Case Manager Certification – CCMC or Case Management Society of America.

Certification involves completing courses in healthcare delivery systems, case studies, ethical issues, outcome management and patient's rights and must be renewed every five years. There are also practical credentials, including a certified case management administrator, life care planner or disability management specialist.

What To Expect

• 2021 Median Pay: $37,610/year & $18.08/hour
• Work Experience: None
• Number of Jobs in 2020: 417,600
• Job Outlook, 2020-2030: 17% (Much faster than average)

Clinical Trials Research

There's no doubt that clinical research is a growing field. According to Clinical Leader, "The global clinical staffing market is expected to be $7.03 billion in 2022 and grow at approximately 7.5 to 8% CAGR through the 2020-2026 period." 

Clinical trials research associates develop, plan and manage clinical trials and associated administrative duties of complex medical research studies. They supervise the technical research support staff and implement research and clinical protocols.

Some careers in clinical trials research include design and management, treatment and preventative research, diagnostic, screenings, quality of life, genetic studies, and epidemiological studies.

To become a clinical research associate, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory requirements that must be met. You may have to earn a bachelor's degree in science or its equivalent and a Clinical Research Professional certification through The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or the Society of Clinical Research Association (SOCRA). 

What To Expect

• Median Pay: $90,700
• Average Salary in 2022: $62,597 
• 10-Year Job Growth: 36.4%
• Total Jobs: 100,000

Emergency Room Nursing

Emergency room nursing positions are projected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, resulting in 194,500 job openings for registered nurses annually.

Emergency room nurses are licensed and registered and must have training in emergency, life care support and trauma. They provide immediate treatment and stabilization of patients, respond to various illnesses and injuries, and sometimes assist in violence prevention. They take the patient's vital signs, administer medication and treatment, manage triage, shock management, respiratory stabilization, and help the doctor with the examination, treatment, and other emergency measures. 

The requirements to become an emergency room nurse include being a licensed and registered nurse, being board certified in emergency room nursing, and having a post-secondary diploma, associate's, or bachelor's degree.

The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing exam tests participants on various emergency room procedures and for specialized knowledge of handling neurological, cardiac and respiratory emergencies.

What To Expect

• Median Pay: $101,211
• Average Salary: $75,236
• Job Growth (2020-2030): 9%
• Total Jobs: 772,637

Healthcare Revenue Cycle Specialist

A healthcare revenue cycle specialist ensures financial success for healthcare facilities and hospitals. They work with patients to arrange payment options, calculate patient intake costs and track accounts receivable. This position requires in-depth knowledge of CPT medical codes, overseeing collections, invoicing, billing and financial statements. 

Aspiring revenue cycle specialists should have an extensive background in customer service, accounting, business, and finance, familiarity with the insurance industry, a bachelor's degree and experience in the field. 

Obtaining a Specialized Certificate in Healthcare Revenue Cycle increases your chances of landing a job in this growing career field. To become certified, you must pass the Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) exam through the Health Financial Management Association (HFMA) or the healthcare revenue cycle specialist (CRCS) exam administered by the American Association of Health Care Administrative Management (AAHAM).

What To Expect

• Median Hourly Rate: $30.50
• Average Salary: $62, 500
• Job Growth in Healthcare: 11% (faster than average)
• Total Jobs: 772,637

Lactation Consultant

Lactation consultants specialize in breastfeeding issues such as sore nipples, milk supply, and breastfeeding positions. Some lactation consultants work with hospitals, while others have private practices. 

To practice as a lactation consultant, you must also be certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Registered nurses meet the exam criteria, but being a nurse is not necessarily a prerequisite to becoming a lactation consultant. 

Lactation consultants must also complete a 90-hour breastfeeding class with an accredited program and 1000 hours working with breastfeeding moms and their babies. 

What To Expect

• Salary Range: $30.50
• Average Salary: $77,933 and $98,123
• Job Growth in Healthcare: 11% (faster than average)
• Total Jobs: 772,637