Even though the job outlook in Washington State is tough these days, one industry is full of jobs which are each high in demand and offer premium salaries and benefits — the healthcare industry. There are well-paying jobs for many different types of healthcare professionals available throughout Pierce County.

To check out all the opportunities available in Pierce County, click on the Career Opportunities link below the name of the hospital or medical center.

MultiCare Health System of Tacoma Includes: Allenmore Hospital Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center Tacoma General Hospital Madigan Army Medical Center Career Opportunities: None at this time Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup Link to Job Listings Group Health Cooperative, Tacoma Career Opportunities Franciscan Health Systems Includes St. Joseph, St. Clare, St. Francis Hospitals in Pierce County (253) 591-6958 Career Opportunities Manorcare Health Services, Tacoma Career Opportunities Rainier Vista Care Center Career Opportunities: (253) 841-3422 Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community

The following chart lists the healthcare occupations identified as being in highest demand by Pierce County healthcare employers, including Franciscan Health System, Good Samaritan Community Healthcare, Madigan Army Medical Center, and MultiCare Health System. It also shows the training that is locally available for these occupations.

High Demand Health Occupation Job Description Pierce County Training Programs Registered Nurse (AA and BSN level) A registered nurse (RN) is the essential supplier of health care. The registered nurse provides care, treatment, counseling, and health education to the ill, injured and infirmed. The registered nurse assists in the maintenance of health and the prevention or management of illness, injury and disability. Nurses work as part of a health care team. AA Program – Tacoma Community College BSN Program – Pacific Lutheran University AA to BSN Program – University of Washington, Tacoma Licensed Practical Nurse A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides bedside care to patients. The LPN works under the direction of physicians and registered nurses (RNs). The LPN provides nursing care that requires technical knowledge and skill but not the in depth professional education and training of a registered nurse. LPNs may work in a clinic or doctor's office and handle administrative responsibilities such as record keeping. Some LPNs specialize in an area of medicine or work as a private duty nurse caring for a single hospital or home care patient. Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College Certified Nurse Assistant The nursing assistant certified, formerly called CNA (certified nursing assistant) and sometimes called Nurses Aide or Hospital Assistant, works under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or physician, and assists in the care of hospital, clinic, or nursing home patients. Tacoma Community College, Pierce College, Clover Park Technical College, others Radiology Technologist Radiology Technologists use X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic scanning equipment to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of various health problems. Radiology Technologists usually work in hospitals, clinics, dentists' or physicians' offices. Most radiology technologists work 40-hour weeks. Some may have evening, weekend or on-call hours. Techs are on their feet for long periods of time. Related occupations requiring further training include Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist and Computer Tomography Technologist. Tacoma Community College Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Use high frequency waves to make a picture of the human body. The sound waves produce reflected echoes which are made into an image on a video screen. Ultrasound Techs may also be responsible for keeping track of patients' records and film images. Tacoma Community College Computed Tomography Technologist Operate head or body X-ray scanners which create a computer generated cross-sectional image, commonly called a CAT scan. Tacoma Community College Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Use computerized magnetic scanners to produce an image. Patients are passed through a powerful magnet. Radio signals resulting from this are analyzed by a computer. Tacoma Community College Nuclear Medicine Technologist Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies utilizing a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques. None in Pierce County Medical Laboratory Technologist (4 year) Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists perform laboratory tests necessary to provide information for use by physicians in detecting, diagnosing or treating diseases. The Medical Technologist works with pathologists (physicians who diagnose the cause and nature of disease), over-sees many lab operations and supervises Medical Laboratory Technicians as well as other personnel. None in Pierce County Medical Laboratory Technician (2 year) See above. Clover Park Technical College/Pierce College Registered Health Information Technician There are three categories of HIM professionals: Registered Record Administrators, Accredited Record Technicians, and Certified Coding Specialists. The health information management professional manages the collection, analysis and use of information that guides the healthcare industry. At the heart of the profession are computerized and paper records which document a patient's history of illness and related medical treatment. The HIM professional collects many kinds of data from a variety of sources, monitors the integrity of the information, ensures appropriate access to health records, and manages the analysis and use of this data. Health information management specialists work in a variety of health and non-healthcare setting's, including hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, law firms, software companies and consulting companies. Tacoma Community College Pharmacy Technician A pharmacist prepares compounds and dispenses medicine ordered by physicians, dentists, and other authorized prescribers. The pharmacists provides drugs and information about medicine to consumers and other health professionals. A pharmacist maintains a detailed patient medication profile which lists vital health information on allergies and other medication being taken by the patient. A few pharmacists specialize in drug research, pharmacy education, or work in the sale of pharmaceuticals. Clover Park Technical College, Tacoma Community College Surgical Technologist The surgical technologist is a member of the surgical healthcare team and provides technical support to the surgeon, registered nurses, and anesthesiologist in the operating room. Clover Park Technical College Cardiovascular Technician An Electrocardiograph (EKG or ECG) Technician operates equipment which measures and records heart action by monitoring and graphically tracing electrical activity occurring during the heart beat. Physicians use the graphs (electrocardiograms) in diagnosing heart ailments, monitoring heart functions, and recording patients' progress. Only training in Northwest is at Spokane Community College Central Service/Material Management The primary responsibility of Central Services Technicians is to clean, test, adjust, assemble and/or sterilize reusable medical supplies, instruments, and equipment. Work is usually performed in a hospital's Central Services Department under the direction of a trained health care professional, such as a registered nurse. Some medical supply distribution warehouses employ Central Services Technicians. Clover Park Technical College Respiratory Therapist A respiratory therapist, with supervision of a physician, treats patients who have difficulty breathing due to heart or lung problems. A respiratory therapist performs the tests that aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of respiratory problems using special apparatus and administering therapies. The work of a respiratory therapist includes monitoring patients progress and teaching patients how to use prescribed respiratory treatment methods and equipment. A respiratory therapist provides emergency respiratory care and in some hospitals routinely visits surgical patients teaching them exercises to reduce respiratory complications after surgery. Tacoma Community College Speech/Language Pathologist Speech-language pathologists treat such disorders as stuttering, delayed language development, speech memory loss, and voice and articulation problems. New computer applications developed to assist those with severe communication disabilities, such as individuals who are unable to speak, are among the most exciting research advances in the field. None in Pierce County Occupational Therapist An occupational therapist (OT) uses various educational, vocational and rehabilitation activities to help physically, mentally or emotionally disabled people of all ages to regain the skills they need to live independent lives. University of Puget Sound has Masters programs Physical Therapist A physical therapist (PT) evaluates and treats individuals with temporary or long term physical disabilities to relieve pain, restore function, and promote healing by applying the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold water, electricity, ultrasound, massage and other forms of treatment. The physical therapist treats the "whole person" by psychologically preparing the patient for treatment and working to rebuild confidence. None in Pierce County Orthotist/Prosthetist An orthotist and a prosthetist design, make, and fit appliances for body deformities and missing limbs following the prescription of a physician. These appliances include artificial arms and legs, neck, back and leg braces, and surgical supports. An orthotist specializes in planning, making, and fitting orthopedic braces and similar devices such as surgical supports and corrective shoes; these are used to support weakened body parts or to correct physical defects. A prosthetist specializes in planning, making, and fitting artificial limbs. The orthotist and prosthetist follow basically the same procedures in their work although each deals with different abnormalities, designs, and patients. None in Pierce County Registered Health Information Technologist Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the heath care system. Process, maintain, compile, and report patient information for health requirements and standards. Other occupations within health information management are Coding Specialists and Health Information Administrators. None in Pierce County Pharmacist: Dispense medications prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications; their usage and possible side effects and interactions. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications. None in Pierce County Physician: The physician or doctor is primarily responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, and teaching patients how to improve health habits. A physician may specialize, conduct research, do administrative work, teach, or do a combination of any of these. None in Pierce County Surgeon: Treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive methods, such as manual manipulation or by using instruments and appliances. None in Pierce County Cardiovascular Technician: Perform diagnostic examinations and assist physicians and other medical personnel in diagnosing and treating medical problems related to the body's cardiac and peripheral vascular systems. Invasive Cardiovascular Technicians specialize in cardiac catheterization procedures. Non-invasive Cardiovascular Technicians specialize in peripheral vascular testing, using ultrasound equipment to perform tests called echocardiograms. None in Pierce County

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Visit the Western Washington Area Health Education Center for more healthcare career job descriptions.

Learn more about careers in healthcare by downloading one of the presentations below:
For Current Healthcare Workers

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For Potential Healthcare Workers

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