Click on each career for more information.

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
Percentage of Growth: 32%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 3,450
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 4,570
Perform manual and automated routine blood tests. Prepares specimens for microscope examination. Operates laboratory equipment including centrifuges, dry bath incubators, and blood bank refrigerators. Requires graduation from an accredited MLT program and passing a national exam given by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Typically reports to supervisor or manager.

Health Information Technician
Percentage of Growth: 32%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 3,670
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 4,840
As a HIT, you will abstract clinical information from a variety of medical records and assign appropriate ICD 9 CM and/or CPT codes to patient records according to established procedures, and you will analyze, enter and manipulate databases and confirm appropriate DRG assignments. Knowledge in ICD-9 and CPT-4 coding is required. You must be familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. As a HIT, you will rely on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, perform a variety of tasks, and work under general supervision. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. HITs typically report to a supervisor or manager.

Surgical Technologist
Percentage of Growth: 30%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 1,770
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 2,300
Surgical technologists prepare and maintain medical equipment for surgical procedures. They are required to follow hospital regulations and industry procedures to tend to patients during pre-operation procedures and perform pre-operation preparations to the patient's skin, body, and medical equipment. They may also be required to transport patient to and from the operating room. Surgical Technologists must be a graduate of an accredited surgical technologist program and must be certified to perform CPR. In the workplace, they typically report to a Registered Nurse.

Medical Transcriptionist
Percentage of Growth: 27%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 3,410
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 4,340
With a career in Medical Transcription, you will transcribe medical dictation by physicians and other medical practitioners pertaining to patients assessment, diagnostics, therapy, and other medical reports. You will be familiar with the standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the health care field. Medical Transcriptionists rely on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. They perform a variety of tasks and typically report to a supervisor/manager.

Registered Nurse
Percentage of Growth: 28%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 49,120
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 62,880
Nursing combines concepts of public health and Nursing theory in an orientation toward primary prevention or keeping healthy workers healthy, and includes managing workers' compensation records, assisting in meeting the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), conducting environmental surveillance for health hazards, providing direct Nursing care to employees, promoting health education, and counseling employees.

Paralegal
Percentage of Growth: 27%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 4,020
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 5,110
Assist lawyers by researching legal precedent, investigating facts, or preparing legal documents. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

Computer Support Specialist
Percentage of Growth: 22%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 10,270
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 12,490
Provide technical assistance to computer system users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone or from remote location. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems. Exclude "Network and Computer Systems Administrators".

Preschool Teacher
Percentage of Growth: 20%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 6,140
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 7,380
Oversees the educational activities within the day care classroom. Structures the curriculum and monitors students' progress to ensure activities are meeting the children's needs. Holds conferences with parents to discuss child's progress as well as any issues that arise. May require a state license. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager.

Fitness Trainer
Percentage of Growth: 20%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 3,550
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 4,250
Personal trainers are responsible for developing and implementing a specialized exercise regimen for their clients. They work to ensure fitness programs, which may include elements such as physical fitness, nutrition, cardiovascular training, and weight training, meet the needs of their clients. Personal Trainers offer guidance and support in order to help their clients achieve their goals.

Accountant
Percentage of Growth: 19%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 25,830
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 30,860
Staff Accountants prepare balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and other financial reports. Their responsibilities also include analyzing trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations incurred to predict future revenues and expenses. They report on their organization's finances to management, and offer suggestions about how to use resources, tax strategies, and help create budget forecasts.

Multi-Media Artists and Animators
Percentage of Growth: 10%
Number of jobs in MN (2004): 1,650
Number of jobs expected in 2014: 1,820
Create special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products or creations, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

Career outlook and job description taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition.  http://www.bls.gov