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Considering
a career in health care? What you need to know
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How can
the Arkansas Health Careers manual help me?
The manual is a comprehensive resource guide. It provides information on more
than 75 health-related careers, including work activities, educational
requirements, some statewide salary averages, and links to the locations of
training programs in Arkansas.
Why
should I consider a health care profession?
Many people choose health-related fields because they like to help others and
because the work can be very exciting. However, other important factors are job
availability, security, and compensation. Many health care workers earn more
money and have better benefits than equally-trained people working in other
fields. Like many states, Arkansas has a shortage of trained health care
workers, which means that there are more jobs than there are health
professionals to fill them.
I don’t
like the sight of blood; is there a health career for me?
Yes. As a matter of fact, about one-third of the people in health careers
listed in this manual never come in contact with blood, and some don’t have
direct contact with patients.
Do all
health-related careers require a college degree?
No, educational requirements vary according to profession and an employer’s
needs. Some professions require a high school diploma and a few months of
training, while others require a doctoral degree.
How much
money do health care workers make?
Salaries vary greatly, depending on the education required, length of
service, experience, and on the location of your employer. For example, salaries
in urban areas may be higher than in rural areas, but the cost of living in a
city also is higher. For some careers, salary information was available and is
included in this manual. Many practicing health professionals say that the
reward from helping others is a greater compensation than any monetary benefit.
I can’t
afford to pay for education or training. Is financial aid available?
Detailed information on
loans, scholarships, grants, and other resources is available at
www.arkansasnext.com,
www.arscholarships.com, call 1-800-54-STUDY, or in Little Rock area call
501-371-2050. Because Arkansas is experiencing a shortage of health care
workers, some hospitals may be willing to pay for your training. If you agree to
work for them for a set period of time, you do not have to repay the money. You
may want to contact a hospital in your area to see if they offer any financial
assistance for training in a particular field.
Is
it possible to gain experience or “try out” a career, before I decide to pursue
one?
Volunteering for health-related institutions or organizations is an excellent
way to explore a range of health careers. Apprenticeships are available for
certain careers; contact the Apprenticeship Program Manager, Vocational and
Technical Education Division of the Arkansas Department of Education for more
information.
How can I get more information on specific careers?
Review the job descriptions in this manual for addresses and phone numbers of
individuals and organizations who have agreed to provide additional career
information |
