Sometimes I wonder what my local medical community would do without me.

By my count, this past year I helped employ four doctors, three nurses, numerous medical assistants, a dentist (and dental assistant), lab workers, hospital support staff, medical transcribers, pharmacists and pharmacist assistants, billing and insurance clerks, and several drug companies.

And I'm healthy.

So what gives, you ask? The answer is simple - I, like millions of other baby boomers, am getting older. And with each passing year, we encounter yet another test our doctors insist it is "time to have."

Regular blood tests are now a part of my life, as my doctor monitors my cholesterol and prostate status with a vengeance. Another specialist sees me quarterly to monitor a thyroid condition. A third specialist recently introduced me to my first colonoscopy, a procedure now endured by many of us over 50.

The good news is - all they had to take out was money from my wallet. The bad news? It was a lot of money. Talk about a growth industry!

In fact, when the medical community talks about boomers approaching the golden years, I think they may be referring to their own business prospects. The only thing that could dampen that robust prognosis is the growing number of people who are becoming uninsured.

Even so, employment potential in a wide range of healthcare fields should be virtually unlimited. Here is a sampling of some of the more popular choices:

Registered Nurse: With 2.3 million employed, registered nurses constitute the largest healthcare occupation. More new jobs are expected to be created for registered nurses than for any other occupation. Most nurses work in hospitals, providing bedside care and medical regimens. Office nurses care for outpatients in physicians' offices, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and emergency medical centers. The three major educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, and a vocational diploma.

Licensed Vocational Nurse: LVNs care for the sick, injured, convalescent and disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. Most provide basic bedside care. LVNs are required to pass a licensing exam after completing a practical nursing program that typically lasts a year. Most such programs require a high school diploma. While not as promising as other healthcare jobs, the number of openings is still expected to match average job opportunities in non-healthcare fields.

Medical Assistant: Next to nursing, this field is expected to be one of the fastest-growing professions through 2012. While you don't need any training beyond high school (since many are trained on the job), those with one or two years of vocational study will enjoy the best prospects. Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and other health practitioners running smoothly. Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients' medical records, filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, as well as handling billing, bookkeeping and correspondence.

Medical Records Technician: Records techs begin to assemble patients' health information by first making sure initial medical charts are complete. Medical records and health information technicians entering the field usually have an associate's degree, with studies in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and computer science. Job prospects are very good, particularly in doctors' offices.

Occupational Therapist, Assistant, Aide: These professionals provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional or developmental impairments. The ultimate goal is to improve clients' quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. Therapists must have at least a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. Occupational therapist assistants generally complete an associate's degree or a certificate program. Occupational therapist aides receive most of their training on the job. Due to growing demand, job prospects are much better than average.

Personal and Home Care Aide: These caregivers help elderly, ill and disabled persons live in their own homes or in residential care facilities. Personal and home care aides - also called homemakers, caregivers, companions and personal attendants - provide housekeeping and routine personal care services. Little formal training is required, with most aides receiving on-the-job training. Employment prospects are excellent.

Pharmacy Aide: Pharmacy aides help licensed pharmacists with administrative duties in running a pharmacy. While a high school diploma is required, specific training is learned on the job. Employment prospects are good.

Physical Therapist, Assistant, Aide: These workers provide services that improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities in patients suffering from injuries or disease. Physical therapist assistants perform a variety of tasks under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. Physical therapist aides usually are responsible for keeping the treatment area clean and organized, and preparing for each patient's therapy. Physical therapists typically earn a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited program. Physical therapist assistants usually have an AA degree, while aides need a high school diploma. Job prospects are much better than average for the field in general, reflecting the growing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function in need of therapy.

Physician Assistant: Physician assistants provide healthcare services under the supervision of physicians. PAs are formally trained to handle the diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services as a doctor would. As members of a healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, make diagnoses, and prescribe medications. Most applicants to two-year physician assistant programs hold a bachelor's or master's degree.

More details about these and other healthcare careers can be found online at bls.gov. Click on 'Occupational Outlook Handbook' and type 'healthcare' in the search field.