Houston Healthcare Jobs for Medical and Public Health Social Workers

If you're looking for Houston healthcare jobs and have a strong desire to help people improve their lives, consider becoming a medical and public health social worker.

The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown area's education and health services industry employed 305,800 workers during April, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 304,200 workers during March and a 4.3 percent increase from last year.

Medical and public health social workers provide people with the psychological support they need to cope with chronic, acute or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer's or cancer. They're typically responsible for advising family caregivers, providing patient education and counseling, and making referrals for other social services.

Most employers require candidates for these jobs to at least have a bachelor's degree. By meeting various requirements, job seekers can become a Social Worker Associate, Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker, Licensed Master Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Master Social Worker - Advanced Practitioner. They aslo can gain an independent practice recognition.

Employment of medical and public health social workers in the Gulf Coast area, as well as throughout Texas and the United States, is anticipated to see a good amount of growth in the coming year.

Employment in the Gulf Coast area, where Houston is located, is expected to increase from 1,700 workers during 2006 to 2,250 by 2016, accounting for 550 additional jobs and a growth rate of 32.40 percent. Employment throughout Texas is expected to increase from 7,850 workers during 2006 to 10,050 by 2016, accounting for 2,200 additional jobs and a growth rate of 28 percent.

Employment of medical and public health social workers across America is expected to increase from 123,643 workers during 2006 to 153,526 workers by 2016, accounting for 29,900 additional jobs and an overall growth rate of 24.20 percent.

The top industries that employ medical and public health social workers include:

General medical and surgical hospitals - 35.59 percent

Local government, except education - 11.16 percent

Home healthcare services - 8.28 percent

Outpatient care centers - 8.23 percent

Nursing care facilities - 6.95 percent

State government, except education - 6.95 percent

Individual and family services - 6.54 percent

Specialty hospitals, except psychiatric and substance abuse - 3.98 percent

During 2008, medical and public health social workers in the Dallas area earned an average of $22.99 per hour, while those throughout Texas earned an average of $21.97 per hour and those across America earned an average of $22.87 per hour.