Unlike most industries, health care is still adding jobs during this recession. In December 2008, while the U.S. economy shed more than half a million jobs, the health care industry added 32,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The picture is not all positive, however. New York's health care providers still face cuts in Medicaid reimbursement that would short circuit their operating revenues and ability to maintain current employment levels, not to mention hire new staff. Hospitals would be especially hard hit and those here on Long Island could lose $64 million in Medicaid, according to the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, the association that represents the region's not-for-profit hospitals.

Still, employment specialists say a career in health care is a smart decision. They point to Long Island's demographics of an aging population and the ever newer and more sophisticated high tech equipment for treatment and diagnosis that enters the market each day. Within two years, the U.S. Census Bureau says that 800,000 Long Islanders will turn 65 years old - the region's new seniors who will need more care for their chronic and complex health care needs that are associated with aging.

The health care field offers a variety of jobs, requiring varying levels of education and training. Aside from jobs in nursing and medicine, the health care field extends beyond these traditional boundaries to include such diverse positions as medical coder and biller, clinical laboratory technologist, physical therapist, speech and hearing specialist, and radiology technician and other imaging specialties. These and other positions provide good paying, stable employment with work in private physician offices, nursing homes, outpatient labs and diagnostic centers, hospitals, and home care settings.

"Job stability, affordable quality health care benefits, flexible scheduling, and growth opportunities are valuable benefits to working in this field," said Lori Spina, vice president of human resources for Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, New York. Good Sam is part of the Catholic Health System of Long Island

These health care jobs are not just a good bet for first-time job seekers, but also offer opportunity to those looking to make a meaningful career change. This trend is occurring throughout the country, say employment industry analysts.

"Job seekers today, particularly those with advanced degrees, should consider coupling their prior education and experience with training in a technical or clinical field with a one to two year commitment of time and resources to move their careers in a new direction," said Spina.

There is also a growing demand for primary care physicians, say health employers. The lower public and private insurance reimbursements in this field, along with exorbitant practice start up costs and malpractice fees have not attracted enough physicians to choose primary care medicine as a career. The shortage is nationwide and particularly affects New York and Long Island, because of our area's high cost of living. The state's Doctors Across New York Program is a relatively new initiative that offers loan repayment and practice support funding.

The Hospital Council's newly published guide - A Career in Health Care - provides current and potential job seekers with an extensive listing of types of jobs in the sector, as well as brief descriptions of each job. It also lists education and training requirements and certifications needed for each position and which local educational facilities offer the training. Find it at www.nshc.org/ publications or call 631-435-3000 for a free copy.

The New York State Department of Labor expects health care occupations to be "hot" for some time, well after the economy recovers. At its website www.labor.state.ny.us, the department maintains lists of jobs in demand and employment prospects for 2006 - 2016 for any region in New York, including Long Island.

The writer is Director of Communications for the Nassau- Suffolk Hospitals Council.