The healthcare industry was one of the most impacted by COVID-19. While there have been both positive and negative impacts, let’s take a look at the most recent data and dive into this further.
When we look at the most recent Jobs Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it shows that in December 2020, healthcare added 39,000 jobs. There was employment growth in hospitals (+32,000) and ambulatory health care services (+21,000), these were partially offset by declines in nursing care facilities (-6,000) and community care facilities for the elderly (-5,000). As of December, healthcare employment is actually 502,000 lower than in February 2020.
Looking Back at 2020
Reflecting on last year, the healthcare industry saw expansion in roles that directly supported pandemic relief efforts. With the increased need for first responders, the industry also saw a rise in the need for COVID testers, support for testing sites, and a few other unique roles that were created in response to the pandemic including these eight roles highlighted by CNBC:
- Contact Tracers
- COVID-19 Testers
- COVID-19 Caregivers
- Temperature Screeners
- Bylaw Enforcement Officers
- Screen Manufacturers and Installers
- Face Mask Sewers
- Zoom Support Specialists
In response to the pandemic, naturally, these roles have seen some of the most growth in the industry. Where healthcare has seen loss, is particularly within long-term care, which is primarily due to the virus.
When we reached out to one of our incredible Adecco associates within long-term healthcare and asked what keeps them going and inspires them to continue to work within this risk-proven occupation, Susie Driscoll, an Adecco Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from Syracuse NY said, “My inspiration during this pandemic is the residents that I take care of. Knowing I can care, comfort, support and give some sort of normalcy keeps me motivated in these trying times.” she added, “We have been their only support system when their families couldn’t visit, so I try to do all I can to bring a smile to their face and let them know that they aren’t alone and there is still someone that cares about them. It hasn’t been easy, but I keep pushing through for them.”
Looking at growth within the industry, our Medical and Science teams are continuing to see high-volume needs for contact tracers, laboratory services assistants and COVID swabbers. At Adecco, we’ve been leading the trend in supporting contact tracing programs for multiple lines of businesses. Overall, we have processed 8.5 million+ COVID specimens, placed 1,100+ contact tracers, and have supported several state-wide programs. Learn more about specific programs here on our website.
Looking Ahead into 2021
As we head into the new year with a new administration in office and the pandemic still on the rise, we are keeping an eye on trends within the healthcare industry including vaccination as well as continued testing.
Mass sites for vaccinations are continuing to expand across the nation, with each state varying in rules and regulations for vaccine distribution. In fact, this is the biggest vaccination campaign in history, according to Bloomberg. Vaccinations in the United States began on December 14, 2020 with healthcare workers and so far, millions of shots have been given. For live updates on these statistics, be sure to check out Bloomberg’s live tracker.
In LinkedIn’s recent “Jobs on the Rise” article, they covered the growth within healthcare and the specific titles effected. LinkedIn’s Andrew Seaman says, “The coronavirus pandemic caused a sudden and sustained need for doctors and nurses, but it also created the same demand for the people who support health care professionals.” He adds, “These people help usher patients through the health care system, keep records in order for doctors and much more. Since 2019, hiring for these positions has increased more than 34%. (25 titles).”
Here’s a glimpse into some of the key stats that LinkedIn shared:
- Top job titles: Health Care Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant, Home Health Aide
- Skills: Patient Education, Data Entry, Physician Relations
- Top Locations Hiring: New York City, Boston, Chicago
- Education: 83% of hires have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Salary Range: $65,300 – $106,000
- Remote job availability: Low
Even though the vaccination process is ramping, COVID testing is still expanding across the country. With large events continuing to take place including the SuperBowl, as well as essential workers continuing to go to work in-person, swabbers and testing aides are still needed daily. Overall, Adecco is providing swabbers and innovative contact tracing solutions in order to support our country aiming to move into a post-pandemic world.
For additional details on the vaccine including what to expect, timelines, and other FAQ’s, be sure to stay up to date with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.