A Career and Technical Education (CTE) career cluster that is offered at some of our Premier High Schools is Health science. While many times students think a career in Health Science requires extensive education, there are many occupations open to students with a high school degree and certification or some college.
The information provided about a sampling of occupations within Health Science is taken from the Texas Workforce Commission and provides averages that can vary with location and time spent working. When looking at a job, understanding the education level need, growth and openings will determine the wage and eligibility. Growth in an industry often means there are more opportunities for students. The number of openings can determine the wage. Even if a job does not require extensive education, but has few openings, the job can be more competitive and pay a higher wage. For more information, visit Achieve Texas’ Health Science Magazine.
5 Opportunities in Health Science
Nursing Aide, Orderly, and Attendant
- Growth: 31%
- Wage: $20,944
- Openings: 29,100
- Education: Requires short-term on-the-job training. The majority of employees have at most a high school diploma or some college.
- Job Description: Provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. Preform duties such as feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, or moving patients, or changing linens.
Dietetic Technician
- Growth: 19%
- Wage: $50,601
- Openings: 550
- Education: Requires moderate-term on-the-job training. The majority of employees have at most a high school diploma and some college.
- Job Description: Assist dietitians in the provision of food service and nutritional programs. Under the supervision of dietitians, may plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition or counsel individuals.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Growth: 24%
- Wage: $39,077
- Openings: 15,950
- Education: Postsecondary award. The majority of employees have some college.
- Job Description: Care for ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled persons in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
Respiratory Therapy Technician
- Growth: 14%
- Wage: $42,005
- Openings: 350
- Education: Postsecondary award. Most employees have some college.
- Job Description: Provide specific, well defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician
- Growth: 30%
- Wage: $51,194
- Openings: 4,000
- Education: Associates degree. Most employees have some college.
- Job Description: Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials to patient’s bloodstream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other modalities, such as computing tomography ad magnetic resonance.
While only five occupations are highlighted here, students can find more information at America’s Career InfoNet, Competency Model Clearinghouse, Occupational Information Network, and the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook.
