According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 469,000 establishments make up the health services industry; all vary greatly in terms of size, staffing patterns, and organizational structures. Two-thirds of all private health services establishments are offices of physicians or dentists. Although hospitals constitute less than 2 percent of all private health services establishments, they employ nearly 40 percent of all workers. When government hospitals are included, the proportion rises to 45 percent of the workers in the industry.

Wage and salary employment in the health services industry is projected to increase more than 25 percent through 2010, compared with an average of 16 percent for all industries Employment growth is expected to account for about 2.8 million new jobs-13 percent of all wage and salary jobs added to the economy over the 2000-10 period. Projected rates of employment growth for the various segments of this industry range from 10 percent in hospitals, the largest and slowest growing industry segment, to 68 percent in the much smaller home healthcare services.

A recent report from the U.S. Small Business Administration finds that while most other industries are cutting back, home health agencies are still adding employees. Home health care companies employed 647,500 in 2002, up 1.8% from 636,200 in 2001, according to the SBA's "Small Business Economic Indicators 2002" report.

Employment in health services will continue to grow for a number of reasons. The elderly population, a group with much greater than average healthcare needs, will grow faster than the total population between 2000 and 2010, increasing the demand for health services, especially for home healthcare and nursing and personal care. Advances in medical technology will continue to improve the survival rate of severely ill and injured patients, who will then need extensive therapy and care.

SIGNIFICANT POINTS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Health services is one of the largest industries in the country, with more than 11 million jobs, including the self-employed.
About 13 percent of all wage and salary jobs created between 2000 and 2010 will be in health services.
Nine out of 20 occupations projected to grow the fastest are concentrated in health services.
Most jobs require less than 4 years of college education
Home Care

Home health is forecasted to grow by over 42% in the next five years, as key demographic drivers remain in place in this new decade. At the same time, the number of certified home health agencies operating in the U.S. has decreased from over 14,000 to less than 8,000; thus significantly decreasing local market competition. This presents enormous opportunity to forge new client relationships where entrenched competition was previously present.

In addition, the nation's population continues to age. In 1994, approximately one in eight Americans was age 65 and older. By 2030, one in five Americans will be a senior citizen. From 1960 to 1994, the "oldest" population (persons aged 85 and over) increased by 274% compared with 100% for those 65 and over. One quarter (8 million) of the nation's elderly population have some form of disability for which they require assistance, such as help with bathing, dressing, eating, preparing meals, or taking medication; by 2020 it is estimated that 15 million will be disabled in some form. And, according to an AARP survey in 2000, 82% of mid-life and older Americans prefer not to move from home if they need help caring for themselves.

Staffing

Medical staffing is considered one of the fastest growing business opportunities in America today. By the year 2010, the traditional, full-time, permanent employment model will likely be more the exception than the norm. The nursing shortage is expected to continue and the long-term outlook for managing staffing vendor relationships with health care facilities is expected to produce good opportunities for high volume business.

According to the American Staffing Association, surveys by various organizations show that 90 to 95 percent of businesses turn to staffing companies for temporary help. The primary reason is to provide assistance in business fluctuations. This is particularly true in the health care industry, which is impacted by the ongoing change in the number of hospital admissions.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that more jobs will be created in personnel supply service (which includes staffing) than in any other industry in this decade and that it will be the fifth fastest-growing industry through 2010. According to the BLS one of the top three fastest growing industries is health care which is a major client of the staffing industry. 
 
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