Health Science
Description OES Code:00007
Health science workers have a direct impact on people’s lives—every minute of every day. They save lives and improve the quality of life for others on a daily basis. They keep the records of treatments and vaccinations, so we can receive up-to-date care. They help victims of trauma or illness recover their will to live and the ability lead normal lives. They keep our teeth clean and prevent decay. They operate equipment to fill prescriptions for eyewear and process laboratory test. As the world of health care become more complex, job opportunities expand. Another factor in the growth of this field is the aging of America. More and more people are living into their 80s and 90s. They will require a wide array of health care services, from nursing aids to case managers. This field also includes registered nurses, who are increasingly specialized in the kinds of care they provide.

Categories Within This Industry
Hospitals. Hospitals provide complete healthcare, ranging from diagnostic services to surgery and continuous nursing care. Some hospitals specialize in treatment of the mentally ill, cancer patients, or children. Hospital-based care may be on an inpatient (overnight) or outpatient basis. The mix of workers needed varies, depending on the size, geographic location, goals, philosophy, funding, organization, and management style of the institution. As hospitals work to improve efficiency, care continues to shift from an inpatient to outpatient basis whenever possible. Many hospitals have also expanded into long-term and home healthcare services, providing a continuum of care for the communities they serve.

Nursing and personal care facilities. Nursing facilities provide inpatient nursing, rehabilitation, and health-related personal care to those who need continuous healthcare, but do not require hospital services. Nursing aides provide the vast majority of direct care. Other facilities, such as convalescent homes, help patients who need less assistance.

Offices and clinics of physicians, including osteopaths. Physicians and surgeons practice privately or in groups of practitioners who have the same or different specialties. Group practice has become the recent trend, including clinics, freestanding emergency care centers, and ambulatory surgical centers. Physicians and surgeons are increasingly working as salaried employees of group medical practices, clinics, or integrated healthcare systems.

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Categories Within This Industry (Cont'd)
Home healthcare services. Skilled nursing or medical care is sometimes provided in the home, under a physician’s supervision. Home healthcare services are provided mainly to the elderly. The development of in-home medical technologies, substantial cost savings, and patients’ preference for care in the home have helped make this once small segment of the industry into one of the fastest growing in the U.S. economy.

Offices and clinics of dentists and other health practitioners.Almost 1 out of every 4 healthcare establishments is a dentist’s office. Most employ only a few workers, who provide general or specialized dental care, including dental surgery. Other practitioners include chiropractors, optometrists, and podiatrists, as well as occupational and physical therapists, psychologists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, and other miscellaneous health practitioners.

Health and allied services, not elsewhere classified. Among the diverse establishments in this group are kidney dialysis centers, drug treatment clinics and rehabilitation centers, blood banks, and providers of childbirth preparation classes.

Medical and dental laboratories. Medical laboratories provide analytic or diagnostic services to the medical profession or directly to patients following a physician’s prescription. Workers may analyze blood, take x rays, or perform other clinical tests. In dental laboratories, workers make dentures, artificial teeth, and orthodontic appliances. Medical and dental laboratories provide the fewest number of jobs in health services.