America’s 10 Hardest-to-Fill Healthcare Jobs

Table of content(s)

1. Introduction 
2. Why are healthcare jobs hard to fill?
3. What are the hardest jobs to fill in America?
4. Why is it crucial to retain skilled professionals to address healthcare shortages?
5. How are healthcare organizations adapting to hiring challenges?
6. Conclusion 

In the healthcare field, there is a shortage of nurses. Nursing jobs are not the only roles that are hard to fill. In fact, by 2025, you are expected to see a shortage of 11,000 doctors and surgeons. The challenges include less qualified candidates with no specialized skills. Hence, healthcare organizations struggle to find professionals for the right roles. 

In this blog, we will explore the 10 hardest medical jobs to fill in the United States. Read the blog to understand why these positions are tough to fill.

Why are healthcare jobs hard to fill?

The healthcare industry is facing a major challenge in filling job positions. Despite the demand for the services, there are several jobs that are hard to fill in due to the following factors:

1. Educational Requirements: Many healthcare positions, such as doctors and advanced nurses, require years of education and training. This long educational pathway limits the number of qualified candidates who can quickly fill available roles.
2. Aging Population: As the population ages, there is a growing need for healthcare professionals to care for elderly patients. This creates a higher demand for workers in caregiving and nursing fields. Unfortunately, the healthcare workforce has not grown at the same pace to meet this demand.
3. Burnout and high stress: Healthcare jobs are known for being demanding, often involving long hours and emotional strain. Such a stressful environment can cause burnout. As a result, the industry loses out on their valuable staff. 
4. Geographical Disparities: In rural and underserved areas, it is especially difficult to attract healthcare professionals. Many prefer to work in urban settings, leaving rural communities deprived. 
5. Technological Advancements: With rapid advancements in medical technology, hardest healthcare jobs require specialized technical skills. This means workers must keep updating themselves to fill these positions. 

What are the hardest jobs to fill in America?

The healthcare field is evolving. You will be surprised to know that several jobs are difficult to fill due to a shortage of qualified professionals. So what is the hardest job in the medical field? Here are the America’s 10 hardest medical jobs to fill in: 

1. Registered Nurses (RNs): Registered nurses are critical in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings, yet there’s a shortage. You must have a degree in nursing and qualify for the licensing exam. The increasing demand, combined with burnout from long hours, makes this role hard to fill. As the baby boomer generation ages, the need for RNs continues to rise. Additionally, it is tough for rural areas to retain nurses.
2. Primary Care Physicians: Primary care doctors are among the worst healthcare jobs in America. They provide basic healthcare, but their numbers are declining. Many choose to specialize in other areas, and this is especially true in rural areas. 
3. Home Health Aides: Home health aides assist patients with daily tasks, especially the elderly and disabled. This job doesn’t require advanced education but involves very demanding work. Despite the high demand, wages for this role are often low, making it less attractive. There is a rising need to fix home health aides, and this is getting more popular each day. It is difficult to fill these positions, especially with no applicant. 
4. Physician Assistants (PAs): Physician assistants work closely with doctors to provide care, but they must complete a master’s program and pass a certification exam. There is a rising demand for PAs as they can perform similar tasks as doctors. Several healthcare settings often rely on PAs to reduce the wait time and offer prompt care. However, the years of training and competitive admissions process make this position hard to fill.
5. Mental Health Counselors: With rising awareness of mental health, there’s a growing need for counselors, yet not enough to meet demand. Counselors must have a master’s degree and be licensed in their state, which requires significant time and investment. 
6. Pharmacists: Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing medications and advising patients, but their numbers are falling. A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree is needed, which requires dedicated learning. Furthermore, medications are often complex for pharmacists to adapt. 
7. Medical Technologists: Medical technologists are among the hardest medical fields. They work to conduct lab tests that help diagnose illnesses, requiring a bachelor’s degree. Medical testing is witnessing constant advancements. With this, the demand for skilled technicians is increasing. However the shortage is also felt at the same time. 
8. Surgeons: Surgeons perform critical operations, but the process of becoming a professional is a tedious one. It requires medical schooling and training. The intense desire to deliver precise results leads to shortages of professionals. Rural and underserved communities are especially impacted by the lack of available surgeons. 
9. Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help patients regain independence by improving their ability to perform everyday tasks. With the passing time, the field is constantly growing. This raises the need for occupational therapy to maintain the right quality of life. However, the need for specialized training and certification makes it hard to find enough therapists.
10. Dentists: Dentists are essential for maintaining oral health, but their numbers aren’t keeping up with demand. Dental school is expensive and takes several years to complete, which limits the number of new professionals. Hence, many low-income areas struggle to find the right dental practitioner, limiting care. 

Why is it crucial to retain skilled professionals to address healthcare shortages?

Retaining skilled professionals for addressing healthcare shortages ensures that experienced workers continue to offer high-quality care. When professionals leave, it is difficult to cover the gap. This increases pressure on remaining staff and reduces the quality of care provided. Here is why retaining skilled professionals is crucial: 

1. Maintaining continuity of care: Experienced professionals can benefit from ongoing care. This builds trust between healthcare providers and patients. On the contrary, if you do frequent turnover, it might be disruptive to the environment. 
2. Reducing training and recruitment costs: Training new healthcare workers is time-consuming and expensive for healthcare organizations. Retaining skilled professionals eliminates the need for recruitment and training, saving both time and resources. When you invest in retention, organizations can perform better. 
3. Improving Morale and Reducing Burnout: When skilled professionals stay, the workload is more evenly distributed, preventing overburdening of other staff members. High turnover can lead to burnout for remaining workers, as they have to take on extra responsibilities. If you have a stable workforce, it helps you maintain a healthy environment at the workplace. 
4. Enhancing patient satisfaction: Experienced professionals bring a higher level of expertise, which improves the quality of care. Patients are more likely to trust and feel comfortable with staff who are familiar with their medical history. Retention helps maintain a positive patient experience. This helps ensure the success of the healthcare field.

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How are healthcare organizations adapting to hiring challenges?

Healthcare organizations are facing challenges but are finding ways to adapt. They are using innovative strategies to retain professionals in the hardest professions. Here are a few notable strategies: 

1. Offering Competitive Salaries and Benefits: To attract more candidates, many healthcare organizations are increasing salaries and providing better benefits. This includes offering retirement plans and bonuses to appeal to the candidates. Additionally, they are also trying to improve compensation packages to retain their staff. 
2. Invest in training employees: Organizations are introducing training programs to help employees grow and develop new skills. Enrollment in leadership training makes the workplace a friendlier one. When employees see a clear path for growth, they are more likely to stay long-term. 
3. Partnering with Educational Institutions: Healthcare organizations are collaborating with colleges and universities to create a pipeline of future workers. With the help of scholarships and internships, students are encouraged to pursue healthcare careers. These ensure that graduates are ready to join the workforce. 
4. Using Telehealth and Remote Work Options: With the rise of telehealth, some of the hardest doctor jobs can now be done remotely, reducing the need for on-site staff. This flexibility allows organizations to hire professionals from anywhere. Technology prevents burnout, and organizations can offer care with limited staff. 
5. Focusing on Work-Life Balance: Many healthcare providers are creating more flexible schedules to support work-life balance for their staff. By offering flexible working opportunities, you can reduce burnout. When employees can manage their schedules well, they can minimize stress. 

Read more: How To Get BLS Certification?

Conclusion 

The healthcare industry faces serious challenges in filling important roles. These hardest medical jobs help maintain high-quality care, however, demand long hours of work and burnout. As the population starts aging, the demand for trained professionals starts to grow. It is crucial to address the growing requirements by introducing strategies such as competitive salaries, bonuses, and training programs. Understand the challenges of different positions in healthcare to implement the right solutions and provide quality care to patients.