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The time has never been better to begin a healthcare career in the State of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Labor projects that professions in the Health Science field will increase at some of the highest rates in the labor market. The state’s booming medical field industry is not unusual, though, as a similar trend is occurring throughout the country. Without a doubt, healthcare workers are in great demand just about everywhere. In a little bit of even better news for anybody thinking about going into the industry, based on the 2018 Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), there are presently more than one million unfilled job openings (almost 50% of all positions) for healthcare personnel in the U.S.
 



A look at healthcare careers in Virginia

The rapid growth of the healthcare industry in Virginia contributes to the 18% growth rate that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts for the nation by 2026. The unprecedented expansion in the healthcare system is being powered by the United States’s need to care for an increasingly aging populace. This environment has generated all kinds of opportunities for future professionals of all backgrounds.

The Best Healthcare Schools in Virginia

School Name and WebsiteAddressSchool Type
American National University1813 East Main Street, Salem, Virginia 241534-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit
Appalachian College of Pharmacy1060 Dragon Road, Oakwood, Virginia 246314-year, Private not-for-profit
Argosy University-Northern Virginia1550 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 600, Arlington, Virginia 222094-year, Private for-profit
Averett University420 W Main St, Danville, Virginia 245414-year, Private not-for-profit
Averett University-Non-Traditional Programs420 W Main St, Danville, Virginia 245414-year, Private not-for-profit
Blue Ridge Community College1 College Lane, Weyers Cave, Virginia 24486-00802-year, Public
Bluefield College3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, Virginia 246054-year, Private not-for-profit
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing8550 Magellan Parkway Suite 1100, Richmond, Virginia 23227-11494-year, Private not-for-profit
Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical Imaging8550 Magellan Pkwy Ste 700, Richmond, Virginia 232272-year, Private not-for-profit
Bridgewater College402 E College St, Bridgewater, Virginia 22812-15994-year, Private not-for-profit
Bryant & Stratton College-Hampton4410 East Claiborne Square, Suite 233, Hampton, Virginia 236664-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit
Bryant & Stratton College-Richmond8141 Hull St Rd, North Chesterfield, Virginia 232354-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach301 Centre Pointe Dr, Virginia Beach, Virginia 234624-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit
Cayce/Reilly School of Massage215 67th Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451< 2-year, Private not-for-profit
Centra College of Nursing905 Lakeside Dr., Suite A, Lynchburg, Virginia 245014-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit
Central School of Practical Nursing1330 N Millitary Hwy, Norfolk, Virginia 23502< 2-year, Public
Central Virginia Community College3506 Wards Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502-24982-year, Public
Centura College-Chesapeake932 B Ventures Way, Chesapeake, Virginia 233204-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit
Centura College-Newport News616 Denbigh Blvd, Newport News, Virginia 236082-year, Private for-profit
Centura College-Norfolk7020 North Military Highway, Norfolk, Virginia 23518-48332-year, Private for-profit
Centura College-Richmond Main7914 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia 23235-52502-year, Private for-profit
Centura College-Virginia Beach2697 Dean Dr Ste 100, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452-74314-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit
CET-Alexandria6295 Edsall Rd, Plaza 500, Ste. 220, Alexandria, Virginia 22312< 2-year, Private not-for-profit
Chamberlain University-Virginia2450 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia 222024-year, Private for-profit
Chester Career College751 WEST HUNDRED ROAD, CHESTER, Virginia 238362-year, Private for-profit
Columbia College5940 Centreville Crest Lane, Centreville, Virginia 201212-year, Private for-profit
Dabney S Lancaster Community College1000 Dabney Drive, Clifton Forge, Virginia 24422-10002-year, Public
Danville Community College1008 S Main St, Danville, Virginia 24541-40042-year, Public
DeVry University-Virginia2450 Crystal Dr., Arlington, Virginia 222024-year, Private for-profit
Eastern Mennonite University1200 Park Rd, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802-24624-year, Private not-for-profit
Eastern Shore Community College29300 Lankford Hwy, Melfa, Virginia 234102-year, Public
Eastern Virginia Career College10304 Spotsylvania Ave, Suite 400, Fredericksburg, Virginia 224082-year, Private for-profit
Eastern Virginia Medical School700w. Olney, Norfolk, Virginia 235074-year, Public
ECPI University5555 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 234624-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine2265 Kraft Dr, Blacksburg, Virginia 240604-year, Private not-for-profit
Emory & Henry College30461 Garnand Drive, Emory, Virginia 24327-09474-year, Private not-for-profit
Ferrum College215 Ferrum Mountain Road, Ferrum, Virginia 24088-90004-year, Private not-for-profit
Fortis College-Norfolk6300 Center Dr Bldg 22, Norfolk, Virginia 23502-41012-year, Private for-profit
Fortis College-Richmond2000 Westmoreland Street, Suite A, Richmond, Virginia 232302-year, Private for-profit
George Mason University4400 University Dr, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-44444-year, Public
Germanna Community College2130 Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove, Virginia 22508-21022-year, Public
Hampton University200 William R. Harvey Way, Hampton, Virginia 23668-00994-year, Private not-for-profit
Henrico County-Saint Marys Hospital School of Practical Nursing7850 Carousel Lane, Henrico, Virginia 23294< 2-year, Public
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College1651 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23228-23272-year, Public
James Madison University800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 228074-year, Public
Jefferson College of Health Sciences101 Elm Avenue SE, Roanoke, Virginia 240134-year, Private not-for-profit
John Tyler Community College13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Chester, Virginia 23831-53162-year, Public
Liberty University1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 245154-year, Private not-for-profit
Longwood University201 High St, Farmville, Virginia 239094-year, Public
Lord Fairfax Community College173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, Virginia 226452-year, Public
Mary Baldwin University318 Prospect Street, Staunton, Virginia 244014-year, Private not-for-profit
Marymount University2807 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, Virginia 22207-42994-year, Private not-for-profit
Mountain Empire Community College3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 242192-year, Public
New River Community College5251 College Drive, Dublin, Virginia 24084-11272-year, Public
Norfolk State University700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23504-80004-year, Public
Northern Virginia Community College4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd, Annandale, Virginia 22003-37962-year, Public
Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage6402 Arlington Blvd, Suite 840, Falls Church, Virginia 22042-4302< 2-year, Private for-profit
Old Dominion University5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 235294-year, Public
Patrick Henry Community College645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, Virginia 241122-year, Public
Paul D Camp Community College100 N College Dr, Franklin, Virginia 238512-year, Public
Piedmont Virginia Community College501 College Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-75892-year, Public
Radford University801 East Main St., Radford, Virginia 241424-year, Public
Rappahannock Community College12745 College Drive, Glenns, Virginia 23149-26162-year, Public
Regent University1000 Regent University Dr, Virginia Beach, Virginia 234644-year, Private not-for-profit
Riverside College of Health Careers316 Main Street, Newport News, Virginia 236012-year, Private not-for-profit
Roanoke College221 College Lane, Salem, Virginia 24153-37944-year, Private not-for-profit
Saint Michael College of Allied Health8305 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Virginia 22309-23482-year, Private for-profit
Sentara College of Health Sciences1441 Crossways Blvd, Suite 105, Chesapeake, Virginia 233204-year, Private not-for-profit
Shenandoah University1460 University Dr, Winchester, Virginia 22601-51954-year, Private not-for-profit
South University-Richmond2151 Old Brick Rd, Glen Allen, Virginia 230604-year, Private for-profit
South University-Virginia Beach301 Bendix Rd, Ste 100, Virginia Beach, Virginia 234524-year, Private for-profit
Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools430 Clairmont Court - Suite 200, Colonial Heights, Virginia 238342-year, Private for-profit
Southside Virginia Community College109 Campus Drive, Alberta, Virginia 238212-year, Public
Southwest Virginia Community College369 College Road US Rt. 19, 6 Miles S. Claypool Hill, Cedar Bluff, Virginia 246092-year, Public
Sovah Health School of Health Professions109 Bridge St., Suite 200, Danville, Virginia 245412-year, Private for-profit
Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing7704 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1000, Falls Church, Virginia 220432-year, Private for-profit
Stratford University3201 Jermantown Road, Suite 500, Fairfax, Virginia 220304-year, Private for-profit
Strayer University-Virginia2121 15th Street N, Arlington, Virginia 222014-year, Private for-profit
Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy3405 Candlers Mountain Rd. #G360, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502-2652< 2-year, Private for-profit
The University of Virginia's College at Wise1 College Avenue, Wise, Virginia 24293-44004-year, Public
Thomas Nelson Community College99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, Virginia 236662-year, Public
Tidewater Community College121 College Place, Norfolk, Virginia 235102-year, Public
University of Lynchburg1501 Lakeside Dr, Lynchburg, Virginia 24501-31134-year, Private not-for-profit
University of Management and Technology1901 Fort Myer Drive, Suite 700, Arlington, Virginia 22209-16094-year, Private for-profit
University of Mary Washington1301 College Ave, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401-53004-year, Public
University of Phoenix-Virginia9750 W Broad St, Glen Allen, Virginia 230604-year, Private for-profit
University of Richmond410 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, Virginia 231734-year, Private not-for-profit
University of the Potomac-VA Campus2070 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, Virginia 22182-25364-year, Private for-profit
University of Virginia-Main Campus1827 University Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-26284-year, Public
Virginia Beach City Public Schools School of Practical Nursing2925 N Landing Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-2499< 2-year, Public
Virginia Commonwealth University910 W Franklin St, Richmond, Virginia 23284-25124-year, Public
Virginia Highlands Community College100 VHCC Drive, Abingdon, Virginia 24212-08282-year, Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr., Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-01314-year, Public
Virginia State University1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, Virginia 238064-year, Public
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia 24016-49504-year, Private not-for-profit
Virginia University of Oriental Medicine9401 Mathy Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22031-53104-year, Private not-for-profit
Virginia Western Community College3094 Colonial Ave, Roanoke, Virginia 240152-year, Public
Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center64 James Anderson Road, Fishersville, Virginia 22939-1500< 2-year, Public
Wytheville Community College1000 E Main Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382-33082-year, Public

Healthcare support jobs in VA

Perhaps the largest segment of the healthcare labor force in Virginia is made-up of the 93,910 Healthcare Support workers who are presently working in the state. These working people earn an annual median wage of $31,550, that ranks them close to the top of all positions which don’t require a college degree.

The subsequent table reflects 10 of the most-popular support positions in Virginia, their training requirements, employment forecasts in the state, and median annual salaries.

Virginia Healthcare CareersEmploymentHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers167034.1270960
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics588016.5434400
Pharmacy Technicians991015.1531510
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses2192020.4642550
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians512020.3342290
Home Health Aides1079011.0522980
Nursing Assistants3901013.4227920
Occupational Therapy Assistants95031.1564790
Physical Therapist Assistants265028.6059500
Dental Assistants802020.6042850
Medical Assistants1363016.2033690
Phlebotomists363016.5334380

How to find a Virginia entry-level Allied Health position

Although it may be possible to get hired in some positions without completing a formal training program, the majority of facilities in the state would rather hire candidates with some training. As a result, it’s strongly suggested that anyone who is considering a career in healthcare finish a professional, formal training program.

With regards to healthcare support programs, many can be finished in a year or less.
 



Getting the required training

Check out several of the state’s entry-level healthcare careers by clicking on the links shown below. To learn about any of the featured jobs shown, you can click the title and read more on the best way to get started in that occupation.

Looking for a healthcare position in Virginia

Though it is possible to find Healthcare Support jobs in pretty much every corner of Virginia, the Arlington/Alexandria region of the state nearest to Washington D.C. features the highest concentration of jobs. The greater Arlington/Alexandris/Washington D.C. area is the place to find the state’s highest concentration of medical field professionals with approximately 69,580 working there.

Major cities in Virginia where there exists a large volume of healthcare jobs are:

  • Alexandria, VA
  • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
  • Charlottesville, VA
  • Harrisonburg, VA
  • Kingsport, TN
  • Lynchburg, VA
  • Richmond, VA
  • Roanoke, VA