The healthcare field is rapidly changing, and one of the most exciting trends involves people receiving care outside of traditional healthcare settings. People’s families are more interested than ever in keeping their older loved ones at home rather than sending them off to an institutional setting. A whole host of new healthcare careers have emerged to meet this rising demand for independence.

Health-related professions that emphasize this independence offer something that more traditional hospital or clinic jobs don’t: the opportunity to get to know the clients while delivering the care that they need. For most people interested in healthcare, this provides an appeal, as it allows them to feel connected and make a tangible impact in someone’s day-to-day life.

Is an Independence-Focused Healthcare Career For You?

The first question of many people may be, what kind of healthcare career focuses on independence? What are those jobs, and what do they look like? If you’re interested in learning more about this field, several exciting careers are available.

Demographics provide many insights into the healthcare field. Demographics tell us about the aging baby boomer population who desire to stay home for as long as possible. Studies show that most of the population wants to age in place instead of moving to nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Several factors encourage this desire; however, one of the primary reasons why people want this is that they remain in better physical and mental health than when they transition into another environment. People have their routines and social circles. They have loved ones who are nearby, and they have what makes them feel most at home.

However, there is only so long that someone can age in place alone, so these are the kinds of healthcare careers that have emerged to fill this need without removing their independence.

Careers in Direct Care Roles

The most common careers that interested individuals may explore include working as a home healthcare aide. Home health aides are one of the fastest-expanding opportunities for individuals interested in healthcare jobs. Home health aides provide hands-on care and assistance with daily living while preserving their clients’ independence whenever possible.

Other related jobs may include providing care for someone enrolled in Independence-Focused Care. This could involve something as simple as helping them grocery shop or running errands to providing additional transportation and assistance with staying active. For those ready to start making a difference in people’s lives, they can Apply for Caregiver Job opportunities that offer comprehensive training and ongoing support for new team members.

Another related career includes working as a personal care aide. This job shares the same duties with health aides, but this role sometimes focuses more on companionship for the clients.

Several other healthcare-related jobs that many individuals interested in pursuing include exploring the role of a physical therapy assistant working in the home. Physical therapy assistants support the recovery of physical functions after an injury or surgery. Working in the home allows the patients to learn to use their new skills and techniques in their own familiar environment.

Occupational therapy assistants also help the older population adjust to their environment as they move into this new phase of their life. It could be working on adjusting their home or obtaining new aids and modifications or simply changing the way they perform specific tasks.

Health-Related Technology Roles

Some roles focus primarily on technology instead of caring for patients. While several jobs involve hands-on caregiving in the home healthcare space, technology has also become integrated into this field.

Care coordinators work behind the scenes to coordinate all aspects of service delivery for the clients to receive what they need. Care coordinators schedule appointments, help with medical equipment when necessary, and monitor many patients’ progress over time.

These kinds of roles are exciting to many people, especially those who want to work in healthcare while focusing on administrative sides instead of interacting with patients. Various skills are required for this job, but analytical skills may be the most impactful. This is closely followed by critical thinking skills.

An Independence-Focused Career Salary

What can people expect to make in these kinds of jobs? Salaries vary widely across many different job descriptions. Entry-level positions like health aide jobs differ from others requiring several years of expertise.

In local markets, health aides typically make around $25/hour, while care coordinators might make around $28-30/hour in the same markets. What do these salaries mean for prospective job seekers?

It’s essential to keep in mind that several of these roles have added benefits or sources of pay. Most roles have overtime pay, bonuses, transportation reimbursement (a relevant example for direct care roles), and even incentives for clients who require more than one aide.

While these salary expectations may not seem like a significant amount of money, these roles are guaranteed job security. The trends that have led to these new healthcare career paths do not change. They are demographic shifts. This shift is specific in the aging baby boomer population who want to receive these services in their homes rather than at assisted living facilities.

The demographics involved in Independence Focused Care come forward because they recognize the benefits of aging at home rather than transitioning into another level of care. For prospective job seekers, this means job security because these roles will likely be required for several years.

Career Progression Outside of Direct Care Roles

Many career paths exist outside direct care roles. Individuals who begin working in such roles typically begin as aides and develop into supervisors over time within an agency setting. Some aides may also train new employees in the agency where they are employed.

Another exciting opportunity that many healthcare-related roles offer is career advancement for individuals who may have more experience and wish to explore other services of interest.

People who have been working as health aides for a long time may become entrepreneurs and start their own agencies, consult, or other related projects. The agencies that are out there have garnered success from their clients’ needs for these services.

Additional Job Incentives or Benefits

In addition to what has already been presented regarding salaries and what people can expect to make in these types of jobs, it’s essential to recognize how rewarding the work is outside monetary compensation alone.

People might also find themselves satisfied with their work and finding that it significantly impacts people’s lives. Caregivers often become integral parts of someone’s support system over time.

If you are looking for healthcare jobs that allow you the flexibility of roles and responsibilities within these jobs, Independence-Focused Careers come with various options. If you are a prospective job seeker looking for a rewarding career within healthcare, an Independence-Focused Care job should be your first stop.