healthcare jobs snapshot

Q1 2015
HEALTHCARE
JOBS SNAPSHOT
A quarterly report produced by Health eCareers
TABLE of
CONTENTS
Executive Summary
3
Key Findings
General Findings
4
Physicians/Surgeons
5
Nurses, Nurse Practitioners &
Physician Assistants
6
Other Notable Growth Spots
8
Key Takeaways
9
Additional Resources
10
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 2
Executive Summary
Healthcare hiring was brisk during Q1 2015. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS), the healthcare industry added a total of 84,000 jobs between January and March,
with employment trending up in physician offices, outpatient care centers, home healthcare
services and hospitals. While nursing care facilities lost 6,000 jobs in March, the BLS noted that
segment of the industry still had little net change over the last year.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) continued playing a role in driving demand across the board.
According to data from ObamaCare Facts, an estimated 28.2 million Americans are now
covered by health insurance through the Marketplace, Medicaid expansion, staying on their
parents’ plans or other coverage options. This includes 11.7 million who enrolled or re-enrolled
in ACA compliant plans during the most recent enrollment period. In April 2015, a Gallup Poll
suggested that 90 percent of Americans now have healthcare coverage.
Nearly 6,000 Health eCareers employers posted 40,443 jobs in Q1. Physician/surgeon and
nursing roles (including nurse practitioners and physician assistants) once again accounted for
the greatest percentages of jobs posted, with healthy year-over-year increases in demand for
PA, NP and counseling and social services professionals.
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 3
KEY FINDINGS
Q1 2015 Job Postings
Physician / Surgeon
Physician Assistant
Radiologic Technologist / Medical Imaging
Therapy
Academics / Research
Administration / Executive
Allied Health
Counseling and Social Services
Dietetics / Nutrition
Healthcare IT
Nurse Practitioner
Nursing
Pharmacy
General Findings
Year-over-year increases from Q1
2014 to Q1 2015 in the number
of jobs posted by Health eCareers
employers were seen in counseling
and social services (37 percent),
physician assistant (27 percent),
nurse practitioner (18 percent), and
physician/surgeon (2 percent).
TOP TEN
States based on Number
of Job Postings
1. Texas
2. California
3. Pennsylvania
4. Florida
5. Washington
6. New York
7. Illinois
8. Massachusetts
9. Virginia
10. Georgia
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 4
Physicians/Surgeons
Physicians/Surgeons:
Physician and surgeon roles accounted
for the greatest percentage of job
postings on Health eCareers in Q1 2015.
Employers advertised 21,623 physician
and surgeon jobs during Q1 2015, equal
to 53 percent of total postings.
Q1 2015 Most In-Demand
14%
of postings
1. General Family Medicine
2. Emergency Medicine
3. Internal Medicine
Physicians/Surgeons:
Q1 2015 Job Postings
21,623
posting
53% of total Q1 2015
job postings on
Health eCareers
In Q1 2015, 46.7 percent of the
physician/surgeon jobs on Health
eCareers were new postings, an 11
percent increase from Q1 2014. With
a higher percentage of new postings
compared to renewals, it indicates
employers may be finding it slightly
easier to fill available physician/surgeon
positions this year.
Physicians/Surgeons:
Most Growth from Q4 2014 to Q1 2015
Vascular Surgery
Psychiatry
Neurology
Dermatology
Hospitalist
21%
14%
9%
7%
7%
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 5
47%
The Medscape 2015 Physician
Compensation Report was, once
again, full of interesting insight into
this essential healthcare profession.
More than 19,500 physicians—
covering 25 specialties—completed the
underlying survey. Among them, 63
percent were employed while only 32
percent were in private practice. Their
average reported compensation was
$284,000 for specialists and $195,000
for primary care physicians, a “modest
trend upward” according to Medscape
analysts.
of the physician/surgeon jobs on
Health eCareers were new postings.
Physicians/Surgeons:
Highest Annual Salaries
$421,00
Orthopedists
$376,00
Cardiologists
$370,00
Gastroenterologists
In terms of compensation for patient
care, orthopedists ($421,000),
cardiologists ($376,000) and
gastroenterologists ($370,000) reported
the highest annual salaries. The lowest
paid doctors included pediatricians
($189,000), family physicians ($195,000)
and internists ($196,000). Emergency
medicine and women’s health doctors
fell somewhere in the middle at
$306,000 and $249,000 respectively.
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 6
64%
of physicians would
choose medicine if
given a do-over
Only 47 percent of the primary care
physicians and 50 percent of the
specialists surveyed reported feeling
fairly compensated for their services.
However, 64 percent would still choose
medicine if given a do-over. Additionally,
45 percent would select their own
specialty again. However, only 24 percent
would choose the same practice setting.
Many physicians would like to see
their patients take an active role in
their own healthcare. Connected
health technologies—including telehealth applications, remote monitoring
and web-based physician consultation
services—are poised to make it easier
and more convenient for patients to do
so. MedData Group, a market research
company, recently surveyed a number of
physicians across various specialties, ages
and practice sizes to gather their views
on the future of connected health.
Sixty-seven percent of the doctors
surveyed that are under the age of 40
reported believing the industry will
achieve a fully integrated healthcare
technology environment in the next one
to five years. Sixty-one percent of the
physicians over the age of 40 surveyed
believe this achievement is more than
five years away. Sixty-seven percent of
the survey participants cited cost as
the biggest obstacle. Fifty-four percent
said “providers’ resistance to changing
practice styles” would also be an issue.
Other potential impediments included
technological limitations (53%), privacy
concerns (50%) and patient resistance
(22%).
67%
of doctors under 40
believe healthcare will
achieve a fully integrated
healthcare technology
environment within 5 years
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 7
Top 10 Most In-Demand
Non-Physician Positions in Q1 2015
1
6
Family
Medicine NP
Emergency
Medicine RN
2
7
Psychiatric/Mental
Health NP
Emergency
Medicine PA
3
8
General NP
4
Medical / Hospital
Social Worker
Psychiatric/Mental
Health RN
9
General PA
5
10
Family
Medicine PA
Orthopaedic PA
Nurses, Nurse Practitioners
and Physician Assistants
Nursing Opportunities:
Together, nursing, nurse practitioner, and
physician assistant positions accounted
for 31 percent of all Health eCareers job
openings in Q1 2015. Employers posted
12,595 jobs within these roles during the
period.
Breakdown of Job Postings
64%
10%
6%
20%
Nursing
Nursing
Support
Nurses, NPs & PAs:
Q1 2015 Job Postings
12,595
posting
Advanced
Practice
Nurse
Nurse
Management
31% of total Q1 job
postings on
Health eCareers
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 8
The TOP 10 most in demand
nursing positions in Q1 2015:
1. Psychiatric/Mental Health RN
2. Emergency Medicine RN
The demand for physician assistants
was up 10 percent from Q4 2014 to Q1
2015, and up 27 percent year-over-year
as indicated by the number of employer
postings.
3. General Medical/Surgical RN
4. Nursing Assistant/Certified
Nursing Assistant
5. Medical/Surgical
LPN/LVN/RPN
6. ICU RN
7. Operating Room RN
8. Labor and Delivery RN
9. Case Manager RN
10. Cardiology/Telemetry RN
Psychiatric/mental health RN, general
medical/surgical RN, medical/surgical LPN/
LVN/RPN and case manager RN were new
additions to the list during the quarter.
The demand for nurse practitioners was
down 8 percent from Q4 2014 to Q1
2015; however, year-over-year demand
was up 18 percent as indicated by the
number of employer postings to Health
eCareers.
Q1 Top 5 NP positions:
1. Family Medicine NP
2. Psychiatric/Mental Health NP
3. General NP
4. Emergency NP
5. Urgent Care NP
Q1 Top 5 PA positions:
1. Family Medicine PA
2. Emergency Medicine PA
3. General PA
4. Orthopaedic PA
5. Surgery PA
In Q1 2015, 53 percent of the nurse
practitioner jobs on Health eCareers
were new postings. This is a 5%
decrease from Q1 2014, indicating a
higher posting renewal rate and that
employers are finding it slightly more
challenging to fill nurse practitioner
positions. A similar trend was seen for
physician assistants (3 percent increase
in renewals). Nursing in general saw a
3 percent increase in renewals over the
same period.
Injury rates are high for nurses and
nursing assistants. According to data
from the Occupational Health Safety
Network (OHSN), from 2012 to 2014,
healthcare workers sustained a reported
4,674 injuries related to patient
handling and movement, 3,972 injuries
related to slips, trips and falls, and 2,034
injuries related to workplace violence
injuries. Fifty-seven percent of these
incidents involved nurses or nursing
assistants.
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 9
Nurses and nursing assistants sustained
the highest number of injuries related to
patient handling and workplace violence
according to the data. The incidence
of injury related to workplace violence
was particularly high for nurses (nearly
double that of nursing assistants).
In contrast, physicians, interns and
residents had very low reported injury
rates.
The OHSN report writers noted, “Injury
prevention interventions mitigating
high-risk aspects of nurse and nurse
assistant duties are needed.” Their
suggestions included mandatory use of
lifting equipment, safe patient handling
training, elimination of fall hazards, and
better identification of patients at risk
for committing violent acts or exhibiting
violent behavior.
A recent study found the gender pay
gap is prevalent in nursing. One might
think that in a female-dominated
profession such as nursing, equal pay
regardless of sex would be a given.
Unfortunately, that does not appear to
be the case.
According to data collected in a recent
study, Salary Differences Between Male
and Female Registered Nurses in the
United States, the gap averages about
$5,148 per year when adjusted for
education and experience—and the gap
hasn’t narrowed in at least 25 years.
The study, published in March’s JAMA,
found that female RNs earn less than
male RNs even when the researchers
accounted for work setting, specialty
area, job position, hours worked and
other factors. The data sat included
salaries collected from 1988 to 2013 for
more than 290,000 RNs. The gap was
$7,678 for ambulatory care and $3,873
for RNs employed in hospital settings.
Female RNs earn an
average of $5,148 less
per year than male RNs.
The researchers theorize that the gap
may exist because male RNs are able to
work longer hours and take on additional
shifts, thereby gaining more experience
over time. However, they encourage
healthcare executives to do what they
can to correct the disparity. This should
start with examining their organization to
determine whether pay differences exist
between the sexes and then determining
whether those differences are justified
and making appropriate adjustments.
Open-pay policies can help with
transparency, as well.
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 10
Other Notable Growth Spots
Jobs posted for healthcare workers
in counseling and social services
increased 37 percent year-over-year
in Q1 2015.
The demand for healthcare workers
specializing in counseling and social
services increased significantly among
Health eCareers employers. Jobs within
these disciplines include social workers,
clinical social workers, community
service managers, mental health
counselors, rehabilitation counselors,
family counselors, psychiatric aides and
assistants and psychologists—many of
which are expected to see greater than
average employment growth in the next
decade.
For example, according to the BLS,
positions for substance abuse and
behavioral disorder counselors will
increase 31 percent from 2012 to 2022,
driven by coverage availability under the
ACA and a cultural switch to treatment
rather than jail time. They expect the
demand for mental health counselors
and family therapists to increase 29
percent during the same period. Social
worker employment should increase 19
percent over the timeframe—though
healthcare social worker jobs are
expected to grow at a greater rate (27
percent) as the Baby Boomers age and
require more assistance navigating care
options.
37%
increased posted in
counseling and
social services
Counseling and social services
professionals are projected to
see greater than average
employment growth.
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 11
Key Takeaways
The most in demand healthcare
jobs in Q1 2015, as indicated by
Health eCareers job openings, were
physician/surgeon, nursing, nurse
practitioner, physician assistant and
administrative/ executive.
Physician / Surgeon
Physician Assistant
Radiologic Technologist / Medical Im
Therapy
Academics / Research
Administration / Executive
Allied Health
Counseling and Social Services
Dietetics / Nutrition
Healthcare IT
Nurse Practitioner
Nursing
Pharmacy
General physician disciplines—
namely, family medicine, emergency
medicine and internal medicine—
continued to be the most in demand
by Health eCareers employers as
measured by number of job openings.
Physician specialties with significant
growth quarter-over-quarter included
vascular surgery, psychiatry and
neurology.
Nursing roles dominated the list of
top 10 most in-demand non-physician
positions as identified by Health
eCareers employers in Q1 2015. From
RNs to NPs and PAs, nurses claimed
nine of the spots on the list.
14%
of postings
1. General Family Medicine
2. Emergency Medicine
3. Internal Medicine
Top 10 Most In
Non-Physicia
1
6
Family
Medicine NP
Emergency
Medicine RN
2
7
Psychiatric/Mental
Health NP
Emergency
Medicine PA
3
8
General NP
Medical / Hospit
Social Worker
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 12
About this Report
Data was collected from the Health eCareers online database of job openings, which are placed
by healthcare providers across the U.S. Data for this snapshot was collected from January 1
to March 31, 2015 and is comprised of 40,443 healthcare and medical job openings placed
by 5,866 hospital and healthcare organizations. These organizations range from large health
systems to single specialty practices, with an average hospital size of 300 beds. For more
information or questions on breakdown by demographic please email
[email protected].
Healthcare is all about connection, and Health eCareers is the healthcare industry’s career
hub for professionals, providers and associations. With a network of more than 1.7 million job
seekers, thousands of healthcare employers and more than 100 exclusive association partners,
Health eCareers is designed to match qualified healthcare professionals – from physicians to
non-clinical staff – with medical providers looking for top talent. But Health eCareers is more
than just a place to look for your next job — it’s a resource to help you advance your career at
every stage. That’s why Health eCareers also includes industry news and career advice targeted
to your healthcare specialty. For employers, Health eCareers offers innovative recruiting tools
and services and healthcare hiring data that you won’t find anywhere else. To learn more, visit
healthecareers.com, check out our blog or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Additional Resources
Current Employment Statistics Highlights: January
Current Employment Statistics Highlights: February
Current Employment Statistics Highlights: March
ObamaCare Enrollment Numbers
Nearly 90 percent of Americans have health coverage
Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2015
Infographic: Physician’s Perspectives and Predictions for Connected Health in 2015
Healthcare Workplace Violence Injuries Up From 2012-2014
Workplace violence is on the rise and nursing staff are in particular danger
Gender Pay Gap Persists in Nursing
Exploring Careers in Social Work, Counseling, and Psychology
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Q1 2015 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot 13
THANK YOU!