It has often been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. This remains true for our nation’s health care system, as talk of reform continues to capture our attention. The good news is that the outlook couldn’t be better for new professionals seeking meaningful work in the public health field. Myriad professional opportunities are readily available for those who have the requisite background and preparation to harvest them.

Access to care, a key discussion point in efforts to achieve health care reform, is the driving point behind these workforce needs. In short, the demand for health services will only rise as Americans continue to seek access to high-quality, cost-effective care. This in turn will fuel the need for highly qualified clinical and leadership professionals.

Where are these jobs? Many are at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), the catch-all term for “community health centers,” “public health centers,” and “tribal health facilities.” These centers number in the thousands nationwide and are often overlooked as sources of public health job opportunities. Known as safety net providers, they capture a high percentage of underserved populations who would otherwise not have access to care. With skyrocketing health costs and continuing demands for care, FQHCs are the health delivery option of choice for millions of Americans.

At the epicenter of the health care crisis, FQHCs play an invaluable role in providing patient access to cost-effective services. According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, between $9.9 billion and $17.6 billion in health savings a year are attributed to health center support in directing patients toward preventive and non-emergency-room services.

The American Recovery and Investment Act, enacted in early 2009, has proven to be a substantive boost to our nation’s public health and economic revitalization efforts. Over $2 billion dollars is being invested in community health centers and other FQHC entities to increase patient access and expand jobs. According to recent estimates, community health centers alone already supply more than 100,000 health care related jobs nationally. Add to this state-supported public health agencies, and the number of job possibilities balloons.

What all this means is a rosy future for Nurse Practitioners, RN’s, LPN’s, Nursing Administrators, Healthcare Managers, and Allied Health practitioners. Opportunities will be particularly robust for those with a fervent interest in the following:

1. Cultural Competencies:

Clinical models supporting the culturally competent care of diverse patient populations are a hot area of emphasis these days. Studies suggest that patients leave with a more positive health care experience when the providers they encounter possess a similar racial or ethnic makeup. As a result health care professionals from underrepresented backgrounds, and particularly those possessing bilingual language skills, will be in huge demand.

2. Leadership:

Master’s degree candidates in nursing or health administration will be increasingly sought for high-level leadership positions within public health environments. Those with strong skill sets in financial accounting, clinical information systems, billing and reimbursement, and human resources will discover prospects ripe for the picking. The anticipated retirement of many public health leaders in ensuing years will hasten the need for successors in these senior level positions.

Policy:

As health care advocacy efforts ramp up in support of health care reform, nurses and other professionals can bring their expert knowledge to the table in greater ways. FQHC advocacy coalitions and associations continue to seek out top talent who can supply expertise in response to emerging public health policy directives.

Health Technology:

Electronic medical record systems are the rage these days in health care and for good reason—early evidence suggests that they save lives and money. Their integration into public health clinics is likely to occur at a robust pace over the next two years, leading to solid job prospects for those with an expertise in clinical systems, nursing informatics, and health informatics. Nurses, in particular, are likely to be tapped for emerging project roles in clinical flow analysis and quality measures.

Here’s the even better news? Educational options are plentiful for those seeking to capitalize on this cornucopia of opportunities. Online programs are valuable learning environments for working professionals seeking to accelerate their professional growth and advancement opportunities. Another hidden gem is the increasing availability of scholarship and grant possibilities designed to cultivate more health profession graduates, to address workforce shortages.

As the old adage says, strike while the iron is hot. For those interested in public health opportunities, the iron of opportunity is indeed ready for action.

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