Guide to Seeking a Career in Healthcare

Top Alliance Careers

In Baltimore, healthcare is the city's largest employment sector. But, like most urban centers throughout the country, there exists a critical shortage of qualified workers to fill positions such as nursing assistant, nurse extender, surgical technician, respiratory therapist, radiology technician, lab technician and pharmacy technician. The Alliance has worked with area hospitals, government agencies, schools and other healthcare organizations to address the shortage by developing career track guides called career maps that connect residents with career development opportunities and jobs.

The following careers have been identified by the Alliance as having the most critical need of Baltimore healthcare employers:

Medical Laboratory Technician
conducts routine laboratory tests for use in diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Nursing Assistant
performs delegated patient care functions of an uncomplicated nature under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Nurse Extender
nursing assistants who have received additional training in IV starts, EKGs, Foley catheters, blood drawing, oxygen therapy, NG tubes, suctioning, drain management and wound care and perform these functions under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Pharmacy Technician
prepares, packages, distributes and delivers medications under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Radiologic Technician
performs diagnostic radiographic procedures for use in diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Respiratory Therapist
sets up, operates and maintains oxygen and other therapeutic gas and mist inhalation equipment and mechanical ventilation equipment to administer prescribed doses of medical gases and aerosolized drugs to patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
Surgical Technologist
Surgical Technologist: performs a variety of duties in the OR under the supervision of an RN, including scrubbing on all types of operative procedures, obtaining and preparing instruments and equipment and maintaining a clean and safe environment.
Education Partners and Resources
Career Maps

Virtually anyone can benefit from career mapping. Whether you have not yet attained a high school diploma or GED or if you are a college graduate, career maps can provide a pathway to rewarding careers in the health professions. Even if you are already employed and want to advance or move into another healthcare occupation, mapping will give you the basics job duties, rate of pay, education and experience required.