While many occupational sectors in the United States face a gloomy employment outlook, healthcare enjoys a relatively sunny forecast. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics "Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition," healthcare is expected to generate 3.2 million jobs between 2008 and 2018, and ten of the 20 fastest growing occupations are healthcare related. Healthcare professionals face their share of challenges to be sure-shrinking reimbursements, rising malpractice insurance costs, and uncertainties related to national healthcare reform are just a few-but the rewards of the profession are great. This is particularly true for O&P. Every day, I read about O&P professionals who have helped to restore or improve the functional abilities of their patients. Every month, O&P professionals who are energized by their patients' successes contact us and share their stories. In turn, we get to share many of these stories with our readers. Contributing to this energy is just one of the goals of The O&P EDGE. We also strive to provide O&P and related professionals with tools to help you do your jobs better and to be even more satisfied in your careers. The latter goal is the focus of this issue of The O&P EDGE. I am excited to share with you the results of our inaugural salary survey of orthotic, prosthetic, pedorthic, and post-mastectomy professionals,The O&P EDGE 2011 Salary Survey. It is our hope that with this survey we establish a benchmark upon which to base future, targeted surveys that will track and report on data to help you stay competitive in the workplace. To complement our salary survey, this month's articles provide you with an insider's look at "How to Land a Job in O&P"," tips for achieving personal career satisfaction, Career Satisfaction: Tips for Balancing Work & Life, and advice for O&P business owners about how to create an inclusive, rewarding, and productive company culture in Company Culture: Does It Matter?. The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP) has also provided us with an in-depth analysis of "The Debt Limit Deal and Its Impact on Healthcare Providers and the O&P Profession." From September 19-22, The O&P EDGE will be at the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly in Las Vegas. Check us out at booth 114, register for a chance to win a Kindle, and please let us know how we're doing. I can't wait to talk with you. Thanks for reading. Karen Henry
While many occupational sectors in the United States face a gloomy employment outlook, healthcare enjoys a relatively sunny forecast. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics "Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition," healthcare is expected to generate 3.2 million jobs between 2008 and 2018, and ten of the 20 fastest growing occupations are healthcare related. Healthcare professionals face their share of challenges to be sure-shrinking reimbursements, rising malpractice insurance costs, and uncertainties related to national healthcare reform are just a few-but the rewards of the profession are great. This is particularly true for O&P. Every day, I read about O&P professionals who have helped to restore or improve the functional abilities of their patients. Every month, O&P professionals who are energized by their patients' successes contact us and share their stories. In turn, we get to share many of these stories with our readers. Contributing to this energy is just one of the goals of The O&P EDGE. We also strive to provide O&P and related professionals with tools to help you do your jobs better and to be even more satisfied in your careers. The latter goal is the focus of this issue of The O&P EDGE. I am excited to share with you the results of our inaugural salary survey of orthotic, prosthetic, pedorthic, and post-mastectomy professionals,The O&P EDGE 2011 Salary Survey. It is our hope that with this survey we establish a benchmark upon which to base future, targeted surveys that will track and report on data to help you stay competitive in the workplace. To complement our salary survey, this month's articles provide you with an insider's look at "How to Land a Job in O&P"," tips for achieving personal career satisfaction, Career Satisfaction: Tips for Balancing Work & Life, and advice for O&P business owners about how to create an inclusive, rewarding, and productive company culture in Company Culture: Does It Matter?. The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP) has also provided us with an in-depth analysis of "The Debt Limit Deal and Its Impact on Healthcare Providers and the O&P Profession." From September 19-22, The O&P EDGE will be at the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly in Las Vegas. Check us out at booth 114, register for a chance to win a Kindle, and please let us know how we're doing. I can't wait to talk with you. Thanks for reading. Karen Henry