top trends for healthcare jobs in 2024.

The healthcare sector still hasn’t recovered from the pandemic, accelerating healthcare trends in some cases and requiring healthcare organizations to pivot and adapt quickly. 

A desire to keep people safe without impacting access to quality care led to a revolutionary uptick in digital care and telemedicine. 

So much so that these are considered must-have skills for healthcare professionals now. 

Skills shortages stemming from the impact of the pandemic on frontline workers are another concern in the industry.

But trends in medical jobs in 2024 and beyond aren't all solely linked to the pandemic. An aging population and the ever-present need to balance patient satisfaction with quality care also drive changes in the industry. 

Keeping up with these healthcare trends is important for employers who want to find, hire, train and retain top talent. Discover more about the most important trends in healthcare jobs right now. 

a digital revolution in healthcare 

Predictive analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) are poised to make significant strides in the healthcare industry as medical technology advances. 

This will usher in a new era of data-driven healthcare management. With the increasing integration of AI, healthcare providers will soon be able to harness vital information to proactively predict and anticipate the deterioration of symptoms.

This digital revolution in healthcare will empower healthcare leaders to make timely, precise, and invaluable interventions, potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes. 

By leveraging AI's capabilities and medical technology, healthcare professionals can transition from reactive care to proactive, patient-centred care, ushering in a more efficient and effective healthcare ecosystem. 

As AI continues to evolve, its potential to enhance decision-making and patient care in real-time will undoubtedly reshape the future of healthcare for the better.

severe staff and skills shortages 

The most significant trend in the healthcare industry is the ongoing staffing shortage and the amount of healthcare job vacancies. 

Many healthcare professionals have burned out, changed careers or retired early in response to the intense stress of the past few years. 

The healthcare system shortages will likely continue since fewer students study health-related topics in Canadian universities.

Between 2020 and 2030, demand for healthcare workers is expected to increase by 16%—a faster job growth rate than any other industry. 

Meeting this demand in public health will require an urgent and collaborative approach. 

The government has responded by expanding eligibility for permanent residents to:

• nurse aides, 
• orderlies, 
• patient service associates, 
• pharmacy technical assistants 
• and pharmacy assistants.

Amidst the shortages, a trend in healthcare, is organizations are finding new ways to support and retain current employees. 

Workforce experience will be critical to those efforts in 2024. 

To meet staffing challenges, employers must investigate creative hiring solutions, including working with recruiters to support the rapid deployment of skilled temporary workers. 

They may also consider investing in cross-training, healthcare education and support for immigrant labour populations.

a rise in virtual care and telemedicine

Virtual and telehealth services have increased dramatically over the past few years—a healthcare trend that will continue in 2024. 

In particular, there'll be a rise in remote monitoring for patients in mental health care.

As patients turn to virtual care, healthcare professionals must learn to provide comprehensive healthcare services and a positive patient experience using digital platforms. 

They also need the skills to manage apps, communication platforms and technical processes while assessing patients via video call, phone or chat.

Given the expansion of telehealth, it's no surprise that technical ability tops our list of in-demand skills for healthcare workers and will continue to be a healthcare industry trend in 2024. 

Employers in the sector should consider these new skill requirements when hiring clinical and administrative staff.

technology to secure patient medical records

Technologies such as AI and medical IoT will transform how healthcare systems communicate with each other and their patients. 

These connected systems, combined with electronic health records and advancing medical technologies, can potentially improve healthcare workflows and boost the quality of care across the spectrum.

Patient confidentiality and data security remain a top concern as medical data moves into the digital space. Healthcare providers are responding by adopting and updating advanced cybersecurity systems.

Some technology firms are considering the use of blockchain for medical record storage. 

Executed efficiently, these systems would allow patients to access, control and share a comprehensive record while maintaining high security.

In 2024 and beyond, it's safe that a trend in healthcare will be the demand for governance and regulation of digital health.

Patients, healthcare facilities and technology firms will benefit from oversight.

To support these advancements, healthcare organizations must think about hiring holistically for full-time and part-time. 

In addition to clinical and administrative staff who can use technology-based solutions, organizations may need technical staff to build, implement and maintain them.

increasing demands for administrative staff

Clinicians aren't the only in-demand healthcare workers; employers need more administrative staff, for both full-time and part-time. 

According to data published by the government, the trends in the healthcare industry in Canada is poised to double the total number of bioscience and healthcare companies in the nation by 2025.

As patient volume increases, companies need more healthcare support workers to schedule appointments, interact with patients and offer administrative and clerical support to overworked healthcare professionals.

As they plan for the future, healthcare organizations must look to front and back-end office positions, healthcare leadership needs and other behind-the-scenes positions that may need to grow and evolve with the times in the healthcare system.

an aging Canadian population

An overall healthcare trend is that the Canadian population is aging. 

Approximately 18.8% of Canadians, or 7.33 million people, were 65 or older in 2022. That percentage is expected to increase steadily until 2030 when all members of the baby boomer generation will be 65 or older.

Is the health sector prepared to care for a rapidly ageing population? Experts think differently at the current healthcare industry staffing rate. 

The ageing population will likely cause a surge of care needs starting in just a few years, and healthcare staffing is poised to fall short if everything stays the same. 

These shortages could be especially pronounced in long-term care facilities and nursing homes.

Healthcare businesses can step into these trends by planning today. 

Creating proactive hiring plans and working with recruiting resources to build a sustainable pipeline of qualified professionals can help you address staffing shortages now and head them off in the future.