What types of jobs are there in medical welfare? Introducing necessary skills and industry trends

What types of medical welfare jobs are there?

There are many different types of jobs in medical welfare, and there are many jobs that you may not know about unless you have actually been involved in them.

People working in the industry basically work at medical institutions, welfare facilities, and nursing care facilities, and care for patients of all ages, from babies to the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Let’s take a look at what types of jobs and employment types are available.

There are a wide variety of occupations and forms of employment.
Medical welfare is a general term for businesses that provide services related to “medical care,” “health and hygiene,” “social insurance,” and “social welfare and nursing care.”

What skills do you need for a job in medical welfare?

There are many types of jobs in the medical and welfare field, each of which requires specialized knowledge and skills.

Expertise by job type

National qualifications are required for many occupations, including nurses, pharmacists, certified care workers, and physical therapists.

In addition, most jobs require specific work experience or pass a qualification exam even if they are not nationally qualified, so it is necessary to acquire specialized knowledge at universities, vocational schools, correspondence courses, etc. there is.
However, it is possible to obtain qualifications such as certified care worker or care support specialist while working as a care worker.

Testing-related positions such as radiology technicians require not only the ability to use testing equipment and computers, but also the medical knowledge needed to analyze test results.

The specialized knowledge required varies depending on the job type, but it is also necessary to have the skills to propose response methods and solutions based on accumulated practical experience.

An inquisitive mind and the ability to respond flexibly are also required.
Medical technology and information are constantly evolving, so it is important to have an attitude of continuous learning in all professions.

AI is being introduced into every field, and new devices are coming out one after another. Therefore, it is a good idea to have an inquisitive mind to increase knowledge and gain experience.

Communication skills are also important, as jobs related to medical welfare often involve direct contact with patients and users.

For example, doctors and nurses are required to be considerate of patients who are dealing with illness, and even in the rehabilitation field, they are required to have an attitude of understanding the feelings and positions of those undergoing training.
Even in the testing field, there is interaction with patients and doctors, so it is not enough to just learn techniques.

Nursing care requires consideration and emotional consideration not only for the users but also for their families.

Current status and trends in the medical welfare industry
We will explain the current state of the medical welfare industry and future trends. Let’s look at the current situation and the future and think about what type of job and how you would like to work in the future.

Demand will increase as we move towards a super-aging society
In Japan, all baby boomers will be over 75 years old by 2025, making Japan a super-aging society. Furthermore, it is estimated that by 2055, 38% of the population will be aged 65 or older.*¹

Currently, the medical and welfare industry is experiencing a labor shortage, and as demand is predicted to increase further in the future, the labor shortage is expected to accelerate and become a serious situation.

*¹Source: 2016 edition of Health, Labor and Welfare White Paper (2015 Health, Labor and Welfare Administrative Annual Report)

Find out information about the qualification you want to obtain in advance.
Many medical and welfare-related jobs require qualifications. Research the qualifications and skills required for the job you want.

For example, if you are a nurse, you must pass the National Nursing Examination, and if you are a physical therapist, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination.
Many of the national exams are highly difficult, but there are also qualifications that can be obtained through self-study, such as “Nursing Care Administrator”, “Dementia Life Partner Certification”, and “Pharmacy Certification”.

There are some nursing care jobs where you can be hired even if you don’t have any qualifications. Even in that case, we recommend that you obtain qualifications in order to earn a stable income or get a position that brings people together.