Options for students in Chicago include Rush University, which has medical and health sciences schools. Midwestern University operates the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and has physical therapy and physician assistant programs. The Pritzker School of Medicine is part of the University of Chicago's Division of Biological Sciences, which offers education in such fields as immunology, microbiology, and pharmacology. Career Colleges of Chicago offers medical assisting degrees and a medical transcription program. Chicago State University College of Health Sciences has undergraduate and graduate occupational therapy courses as well as undergraduate pre-physical therapy courses. City Colleges of Chicago offer a wide variety of allied health certifications in specialties like medical transcription, radiography, respiratory care, and licensed practical nursing. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine has a Chicago campus. St. Xavier University has occupational therapy and pre-physical therapy programs. The University of Illinois at Chicago offers graduate work for occupational and physical therapists; its medical school is the largest in the country.
According to projections through 2012, Chicago is experiencing healthy growth when it comes to allied health careers. Health-diagnosing and treating practitioners can expect growth of 17%, including increases of 37% for physician assistants, 30% for occupational therapists, 26% for physical therapists, 13% for radiation therapists, and 24% for respiratory therapists. Jobs for health technologists and technicians are forecast to grow by 14%, including 28% for dental hygienists, 23% for cardiovascular technologists and technicians, 14% for diagnostic medical sonographers, and 34% for medical records and health information technicians. Healthcare support occupations are expected to grow 24%, including increases of 30% for occupational and physical therapy assistants and aides, 28% for dental assistants, and 46% for medical assistants.
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