The Manpower Workforce Report: Special Edition Allied Healthcare Occupations

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1 The Manpower Workforce Report: Special Edition Allied Healthcare Occupations Issue 24, August 18, 2010 This is one in a series of articles aimed at providing insights into the local labor market that can assist job seekers and career advisors. Allied Healthcare Occupations Provide Employment Possibilities Employers in the county s healthcare sector anticipate job growth of 2.7% in the next 12 months according to a recent study. Though the reported growth rate is lower than some other recent growth estimates for the sector, the growth is bolstered by the fact that local healthcare firms expect 7% of their workforce to retire over the next three years, fueling an increased demand for skilled healthcare professionals. As part of a statewide study of allied healthcare occupations, 10 local occupations were chosen for in-depth analysis including, certified coders, clinical laboratory scientists, health information technicians, medical assistants, medical laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, psychiatric technicians, radiological technicians, radiological technologists, and respiratory therapists. A glimpse at some findings from local participants includes: Of the 10 occupations, medical assistants are anticipated to add the most new and replacement jobs during the next 12 months, totaling 546. Radiological technologists and clinical laboratory scientists will grow the fastest during the next 12 months, at 9.7% and 9.3% respectively. The 10 selected occupations are expected to generate more than 1,500 new and replacement jobs over the 12 month period and provide even more robust job growth during the next five years. Employers of these allied healthcare occupations reported difficulty finding qualified workers from outside their organizations since they generally are seeking candidates with experience. Employers reported the most difficulty finding medical laboratory technicians, clinical laboratory scientists, radiological technologists, and respiratory therapists. Employers of these allied healthcare occupations mostly preferred candidates with an associate s degree or certificate, except for health information technician since they prefer a candidate with a high school diploma plus additional training. They tend to prefer certified laboratory scientists and radiological technologists candidates who have a bachelor degree. Employers are using more cost effective employment development practices such as formal onthe-job training and flexible work hours for employees enrolled in a college or university. The study was part of a statewide project and data was collected from 96 employers throughout San Diego County for the San Diego Workforce Partnership by BW Research and Green LMI Consulting. View the report as follows or down load it from the San Diego Workforce Partnership s labor market information site. Think differently about work. Think differently about Manpower. Direct Hire. Specialized Training. Temporary Placement. HR Services. Contact Manpower at The Manpower Workforce Report is prepared by the San Diego Workforce Partnership s Research and Labor Market Intelligence Team. Editors include Gary Moss, Evelyn Ramirez, and Shannon Michelsen. Development of this publication is paid for by U.S. Department of Labor employment and training grants and a sponsorship from Manpower-San Diego.

2 Allied Healthcare Employment: San Diego County Local healthcare employers expect 7% of their workforce to retire within the next three years. Retirements Fueling Need for New Workers Technical positions will provide ample opportunities for workers over the next 12 months S a n D i e g o s h e a l t h c a r e employers expect to grow by 2.7% over the coming 12 months, according to research conducted by t h e S a n D i e g o Wo r k f o r c e P a r t n e r s h i p, B W Re s e a r c h Partnership, and Green LMI Consulting. Though the reported growth rate is lower than some other recent estimates for the healthcare industry, healthcare firms reported that they expect 7% of their workforce to retire over the next three years, fueling an increased demand for skilled workers. The research, which included a survey of 96 employers in San Diego and was part of a statewide allied healthcare labor market analysis, provides key insight into employers needs and preferences regarding hiring workers. Ten occupations were selected for in-depth review, including: 1. Medical Assistants 2. Pharmacy Techs 3. Clinical Lab Scientists 4. Medical Lab Techs 5. Health Information Techs 6. Psychiatric Techs 7. Radiological Technicians 8. Certified Coders 9. Respiratory Therapists 10. Radiological Technologists Of these ten occupations, Medical Assistants will add the San Diego Workforce Partnership, Inc University Avenue, Suite 400 San Diego, CA most new and replacement jobs over the next 12 months, while Radiological Technologists and Clinical Laboratory Scientists are growing fastest. Allied Healthcare positions are expected to provide over 1,500 new and replacement jobs this year. The ten selected occupations are expected to provide more than 1,500 new and replacement jobs over the coming 12 months and even more robust growth over the next five years. Tel: (619) TDD: (619) Blog:

3 Allied Healthcare Occupations: 12-Month Growth Estimates Allied Health Occupations 2009 Employment 12-month Growth Rate (new job growth) 12-month Replacement Rate New & Replacement Jobs (next 12 months) Medical Assistants 6, % 6.2% 546 Pharmacy Technicians 2, % 9.2% 268 Clinical Lab Scientists (CLS ) and Medical Laboratory Technologists % 9.5% 141 Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) 1, % 7.3% 238 Medical Records and Health Information Technicians 921 0% 6.3% 58 Psychiatric Technicians % 9.2% 41 Radiological Technologists % 7% 121 Certified Coders % 6.1% 44 Respiratory Therapists or Certified Respiratory Therapists % 4.7% 79 Radiological Technicians % 4.1% 39 Total 15,380 1,574 San Diego Workforce Partnership, Inc University Avenue, Suite 400 San Diego, CA Tel: (619) TDD: (619) Blog:

4 Employer Difficulties >-0=#0,.2(4&#.5&#0-*3)(A380)# /(.5()#.5&#0-*3)(A380)# 9&.-3()()*#3)4#&4,+38)*#&).-:;6&<&6#&='60:&&2# >0-#34<3)+&=&).# B-&3.#4(C+,6.:# D0=&#4(C+,6.:# E0#4(C+,6.:# F%GEH# %&&'()*#+,--&).#/0-1&-2#.-3()&4#0)#)&/#.&+5)060*(&2#3)4#207/3-&#3''6(+380)2#!"# $!!"# Healthcare Employers Report Difficulty Recruiting Talent from Outside Allied Healthcare employers in San Diego report difficulty finding qualified workers from outside their organizations. specialized technicians. They report the most difficulty finding laboratory workers and Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) 32% 32% Certified Lab Scientists or Medical Laboratory Technologists 26% 35% Radiological Technologists 19% 41% Respiratory Therapists or Certified Respiratory Therapists 23% 36% Radiological Technicians 11% 38% Certified Coders 3% 37% Medical Records and Health Information Technicians 13% 25% Medical Assistants 4% 31% Psychiatric Technicians 3% 29% Pharmacy Technicians 2% 25% 0% 50% 100% Great difficulty Some difficulty

5 Education Requirements!"#$%&'()*+%&,-.(/01+$ (6"(7%%+#&,-.( &!"# $,"# ()"# +("# (("# E7:203<#I # ($"# ),"#,"# -135H30/# # 93:2;<;=203<# # 93:2;<;=203<#67018;<;=2.4.# -./ # # Employers seek college training for most positions Allied Healthcare employers strongly prefer candidates with Associate Degrees or Certificates for nine of the ten occupations studied by the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians were singled out by respondents as the only occupation that '"# &"# %"# $"#!"#!+"# $*"# $$"#,("# (,"# %*"# %$"# %'"# $&"#!,"# %,"#!+"# $&"#!,"# &"#,$"# %"# $,"# (("# (&"# $$"# (,"# *"# %*"# I..;02347#P7=577# Q3017<;5R.#P7=577# E3.475R.#;5#;4175#S53:N347#P7=577# %"# ("# required only a high school diploma. Employers also noted that Certified Lab Scientists or Medical Lab Technologists and Radiological Technologists benefit from a Bachelor Degree. Companies are also using more cost effective employment development practices, relying on formal on-the-job training and flexible work hours over paid outside training and tuition reimbursement. Medical translation services have received a great deal of attention in recent literature. In this study, employers were asked about how they meet their translation needs. Only 26% reported using medical translators or healthcare interpreters. 54% of those who use them indicated reliance on an outside agency, while 34% hire directly.!"#$%&$'()*%+(#,-$.#/#*%)(#,-$012343#"$5+$6+)#$ ;)01+3#)*9-?/9A)2#-0+'*'*4# ;3/<'23/#=)0>#?)&0,#@)0#/183)6//,#/*0)33/:#+-#+#.)33/4/#)0# &*'5/0,'-6# 7183)6/098+':#)&-,':/#-0+'*'*4# %&'()*#+,,',-+*./#)0#0/'12&0,/1/*-#+-#+#.)33/4/#)0# &*'5/0,'-6#!"# $!!"# B/,# C)# D)*E-#>*)=#

6 The table below summarizes the combined growth of 8 of the 10 occupations presented in this study. The data are projected change in occupational growth from 2009 thru 2014 for San Diego County, the State of California, and the United States. Occupational Change Summary Region Change % Total Median Total Jobs Jobs Change Openings Hourly Earnings San Diego County 19,380 22,366 2,986 15% 4,667 $22.91 California 193, ,061 26,309 14% 43,668 $21.21 United States 1,634,700 1,851, ,715 13% 371,075 $17.85 Source: EMSI Covered Employment - 2nd Quarter 2010

7 The table below presents occupational data on 8 of the 10 occupations highlighted in this study. The projections are for San Diego County for the 5-year period 2009 thru OCCUPATIONAL PROJECTIONS San Diego County Description Change % Openings % Annual Median Education Jobs Jobs Change Openings Openings Hourly Level Earnings Medical assistants 6,862 7,897 1,035 15% 1,420 21% 284 $14.39 Moderate-term OJT Medical and clinical laboratory technicians 1,525 1, % % 59 $19.46 Associate's degree Medical records and health information technicia 1,502 1, % % 63 $16.14 Associate's degree Medical scientists, except epidemiologists 4,405 5,506 1,101 25% 1,552 35% 310 $38.41 Doctoral degree Pharmacy technicians 2,552 2, % % 126 $17.76 Moderate-term OJT Psychiatric technicians % 47 19% 9 $23.79 Moderate-term OJT Radiologic technologists and technicians 1,431 1, % % 48 $30.81 Associate's degree Respiratory therapists % % 34 $30.62 Associate's degree Source: EMSI Covered Employment - 2nd Quarter 2010 Annual Openings equals the annual change for the occupation plus the annual replacement opportunities.