Occupational Outlook
College of Chiropractic
The United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook 2016-2017 edition states that “Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. People across all age groups are increasingly becoming interested in chiropractic care, because chiropractors use nonsurgical methods of treatment and do not prescribe drugs.”
Doctors of Chiropractic have many different practice opportunities, from solo practice to group offices, from integrative health care clinics to employment in medical clinics. With licensure opportunities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and many foreign countries, chiropractic is a maturing, growing and widely accepted profession. Insurance coverage is broadly available.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Graduates face a marketplace where these professions are enjoying widening acceptance. Currently, most practitioners have private practices, while an increasing number are employed or collaborate with community service institutions, major health care agencies and health maintenance organizations. Regulation of acupuncturists and herbal medicine practitioners varies widely: from licensure, to regulation, to being unregulated. Insurance coverage for acupuncture services is gradually increasing.
There is a growing interest in integrative health care nationwide. In Minnesota, Hennepin County Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and the Mayo Clinic are among those hospitals who offer acupuncture treatment by licensed acupuncturists. Acupuncture is widely seen as a profession on the rise and is emerging as an important health care profession that stands on its own and can integrate well with conventional health care services.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a profession that is rapidly maturing. Educational programs have proliferated in recent years across the nation, and with national program accreditation recognition by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, an important step for stabilizing and standardizing massage therapy education and practices has been taken.
Graduates have many opportunities for private solo practice, working with other health care professionals (doctors of chiropractic are the single largest health care profession that employ massage therapists), or working in health care institutions such as clinics and hospitals. Insurance coverage for some conditions and types of injuries is available in certain states and increasing, especially in alliance with medical referrals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that "Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand will likely increase as more healthcare providers understand the benefits of massage and these services become part of treatment plans."
Nutrition
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics "In recent years, interest in the role of food and nutrition in promoting health and wellness has increased, particularly as a part of preventative healthcare in medical settings."
The role of nutrition in maintaining health and wellness is clear and the need for health care practitioners who are well qualified to provide nutritional advice and counseling will only grow. The nutrition programs at Northwestern are designed to prepare health care practitioners to respond to the needs of their patients for nutritional advice.
While the programs at Northwestern are not intended to prepare students as registered dietitians or for licensure as licensed nutritionists, it is worth noting that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 11% growth in employment in the related professions - dietitians and nutritionists between 2018 and 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is indicative of the growing trend toward using nutrition as a means of reducing the effects of chronic disease on the body and supporting the body's natural inclination toward health and wellness. Health care practitioners who become better equipped to dispense nutritional advice will be in a better position to serve their patients and provide a more holistic approach to patient care.
Medical Assisting
Medical Assistants are multi-skilled healthcare professionals, who work as part of a healthcare team to provide excellent patient care. Medical assistant jobs include diverse responsibilities while working with a variety of patients, and require demonstrating respect and concern for the well-being of patients. As a Medical Assistant, there are opportunities everywhere. Medical assistants are employed in doctors’ office, clinics, and in many specialties such as Pediatrics, Ob/Gyn, Dermatology, Urology, Gastroenterology, and more.
Jobs in this field are projected to grow at an impressive 23% between 2018-2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is much faster growth than the average for all occupations. Medical assistants enjoy diverse responsibilities while working with a variety of patients, understanding the importance of demonstrating respect and concern for the patient’s well-being.
Radiation Therapy
The expansion of healthcare along with aging populations continues to provide strong career growth opportunities for radiation therapists. In your radiation therapy career, you’ll work in coordination with other members of the care team to implement therapeutic treatment plans for cancer patients. During your career as a radiation therapist, you’ll work under the direction of radiation oncologists to administer radiation treatments to cancer patients using the latest in radiation therapy technology and processes.
According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for Radiation Therapists is projected to grow faster than average by 9% between 2018-2028 (BLS).
Radiologic Technology
With the medical needs of aging Americans driving growth in healthcare needs, individuals who operate x-ray machines and produce diagnostic images are in strong demand. Professional opportunities in radiologic technology jobs are growing at a brisk pace.
According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for Radiologic Technologists is projected to grow faster than average by 9% between 2018-2028
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Laboratory Technician jobs are a critical component of a healthcare facility. They work under the supervision of physicians, lab managers or lab scientists to conduct lab tests on specimens. The work they do behind the scenes helps clinicians detect diseases or illnesses and determine treatment options.
There is no shortage of healthcare settings that Medical Laboratory Technicians work in. These include hospitals, physician offices, urgent care facilities, health department labs, drug screen labs, research labs or independent labs. Medical Laboratory Technicians may find themselves working quietly behind the scenes in a large hospital facility or on the front lines with patients in a physician office laboratory.
The future is bright in this field and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment of medical laboratory technologists and technicians to grow 11% between 2018-2028, twice the projected national average for all occupations.
Medical Laboratory Science
There is no shortage of healthcare settings for Medical Laboratory Scientists. These include hospitals, physician offices, urgent care facilities, health department labs, drug screen labs, research labs or independent labs.
Employment of medical laboratory scientists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
Medical laboratory scientists frequently work in clinics and hospitals, as well as reference laboratories, outpatient care centers, or research laboratories; they may also work in education or industry. Medical laboratory science is a career path with advancement opportunities, including supervisory work or senior role in the laboratory.