Occupational therapy is the practice of helping patients who have been disabled by accidents, illnesses, age-related or congenital conditions learn to function independently. Occupational therapists require assistance in planning treatment, carrying out tests, maintaining records, and monitoring patient progress.

• Key Traits: Excellent personal communication skills, patience, teamwork, moderate physical strength.
• Education Required: Certificate/diploma or associate’s degree plus national certification and licensure (licensure requirements vary by state).
• Where Occupational Therapy Assisting Is Needed: Hospitals, clinics, private therapy practices.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
7,900 new jobs, or 30% growth rate nation-wideⁱ

As dentists are increasingly called upon to perform time-consuming dental procedures, dental hygienist services are needed to perform basic preventative cleaning and routine examinations of patients’ teeth and gums.

• Key Traits: Patience, customer service and communication skills, teamwork.
• Education Required: Associate’s degree and licensing. Licensing requirements will vary by state.
• Where Dental Hygienist Services Are Needed: Dentist offices.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
62,900 new jobs, or 36% growth rate nation-wideⁱⁱ

In massage therapy, touch is used to manipulate the body’s soft tissue: skin, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Massage therapy is sometimes useful for rehabilitation from injury or exertion, and is considered useful for stress relief.

• Key Traits: Patience, personability, moderate physical strength.
• Education Required: Certificate/diploma or associate’s degree and licensing. Licensing requirements will vary by state.
• Where Massage Therapy Services Are Needed: Private practice, clinics, hotels and spas, sports teams, corporate offices.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
23,200 new jobs, or 19% growth rate nation-wideⁱⁱⁱ

Surgeons require skilled assistance in preparing for procedures and carrying them out. Surgical technology involves maintaining a sterile environment and instruments.

• Key Traits: Hand strength and dexterity, emotional stability under pressure, methodical working habits.
• Education Required: Certificate/diploma or associate’s degree and certification and/or licensure. Certification and licensure requirements will vary by state.
• Where Surgical Technology Is Needed: Hospitals and outpatient medical or dental centers.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
23,200 new jobs, or 25% growth rate nation-wide^iv

Registered Nursing is a profession that involves treating patients under the supervision of a physician as well as educating patients and their families about their conditions, treatments, and self-care.

• Key Traits: Patience, stability under pressure, strong sense of personal responsibility, caring.
• Education Required: An associate’s degree, certification and licensure (entry-level).
• Where Nursing Services Are Needed: Private medical practices, schools, hospitals, home healthcare agencies.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
581,500 new jobs, or 22% growth rate nation-wide^v

Sonography uses sound waves to produce images of internal structures within the body (organs, blood vessels, and more) to assist in treating and detecting conditions or in monitoring the progress of a pregnancy.

• Key Traits: Personal communication, analytical skills, desire to keep current with changes in the field.
• Education Required:Certificate/diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree. Additional certification is likely necessary; requirements vary by state.
• Where Sonography Is Needed: Hospitals, obstetrics practices, outpatient care centers.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
9,200 new jobs, or 18% growth rate nation-wide^vi

Health records are increasingly becoming electronic. As this transition continues, medical billing and coding expertise will be needed to transcribe old paper-based records and keep current electronic records updated. The information in electronic health records needs to be precisely recorded for the use of physicians, public health researchers, and insurance companies.

• Key Traits: Strong speaking and writing skills, attention to detail, willingness to continually learn.
• Where Medical Billing and Coding Is Needed: Hospitals, private practices, outpatient treatment centers, home healthcare services, and more.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
35,100 new jobs, or 20% growth rate nation-wide^vii