There are roughly 1.8 million openings projected each year on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As the population of the United States ages, there is a greater need for healthcare services. New workers are also needed to replace those who are nearing retirement age or otherwise leaving the field.
Connecticut’s healthcare workforce is growing even faster than the rest of the labor market. A report from the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor found that the healthcare and social assistance sector is expected to have the largest increases in short-term employment projections, adding over 10,000 jobs by Q2 2025. Healthcare is also the largest workforce sector in the state.
If you’re looking for healthcare jobs in CT, now is the perfect time to start your search. Like much of the country, Connecticut needs healthcare workers due to provider shortages. Let’s look at some of the most in demand healthcare jobs in CT.
Nurses
According to the Governor’s Workforce Council, the Constitution State needs approximately 3,000 new nurses a year. However, only 1,900 nurses graduate from nursing school each year. However, a significant portion of nurses are nearing retirement age at the same time the number of Americans over the age of 65 is growing. With a larger population of older adults comes an increased need for geriatric care, especially for individuals with chronic diseases or multiple conditions.
Nurses are often called the backbone of healthcare. They have the most direct interactions with patients and can build relationships that provide vital insights into the patient’s health and circumstances. Nurses include nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurses (RNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Nurses may also specialize in certain areas, such as pediatrics or oncology. They work in a variety of healthcare settings, from hospitals to nursing care facilities.
Some of the tasks nurses perform include:
- Assessing and observing patients’ conditions
- Taking patients’ medical histories
- Writing prescriptions and administering medication, with or without supervision
- Assisting in medical procedures
- Ordering and interpreting lab work
- Educating patients and family members on treatment and care plans
Physician Assistants
The demand for PAs is projected to grow by 27% through 2032, according to the BLS. PAs can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including physician’s offices, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.
PAs can provide direct patient care, although their duties can vary depending on the supervising doctor. In Connecticut, PAs work under the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs can perform the following duties:
- Assessing and observing patients
- Taking or reviewing medical histories
- Diagnosing illness or injuries
- Ordering and interpreting lab work
- Prescribing medication
- Providing treatment
Certified Nursing Assistants
According to the Governor’s Workforce Council, Connecticut is also facing a significant shortage of certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Nursing assistants are in high demand in assisted living facilities and home healthcare agencies, but high turnover rates can impact the quality of care patients receive.
A CNA is an entry-level role that can open the door for careers in nursing. However, since CNAs are not nurses, there are some limitations to the types of duties they can perform. They are mainly responsible for assisting with activities of daily living, such as helping patients bathe, eat, or groom themselves. CNAs also:
- Monitor patients’ vital signs
- Stock medical supplies
- Communicate with the patient’s healthcare team and family members
- Maintain a clean environment, including changing soiled sheets
- Moving and transporting patients
- Answering calls from patients
Since many CNA duties have physical requirements, there are minimum lifting requirements, and you must be able to be on your feet for long periods of time.
Primary Care Physicians
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), there is a projected shortage of 68,020 full-time equivalent primary care physicians by 2036. There are nearly 3,900 primary care physicians in Connecticut, but the Nutmeg State needs at least 10% to 15% more to prepare for the future.
Primary care shortages mean patients can wait months for an appointment or may turn to alternatives such as urgent care clinics for health issues. This can also impact specialty care since many specialists require a referral.
Primary care physicians are essential for diagnosing and managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. They are the first point of contact when a health issue arises, but they also focus on stopping illness before it happens. Although patients usually have the same primary care physician for years, shortages make it harder for patients and PCPs to develop those relationships.
As the state continues to struggle with provider shortages, there is no lack of sought-after healthcare jobs in CT. The best role for you will depend on several factors, such as where you are currently in your career and where you want to get to eventually. If you are at the beginning of your healthcare career, becoming a physician assistant or nurse practitioner may be a good fit for you if you enjoy working directly with patients. Certified nursing assistants are critical in home healthcare and skilled nursing facilities, and late-stage providers may consider making the switch to primary care to help ease those shortages.
No matter where you are in your career, there is tremendous potential to make a difference in the lives of patients in Connecticut by joining the Physicians Alliance of Connecticut (PACT). When you join PACT, you join a health system that values career longevity, stability, and inclusivity, while empowering you to focus on patient care.
