Average weekly hours of nonsupervisory workers in private health services varied among the different segments of the industry. Workers in home healthcare services averaged only 28.5 hours per week in 2002, while those in medical and diagnostic laboratories and other ambulatory healthcare services averaged 35.9 hours, compared with 33.9 hours for all private industry.
Many workers in the health services industry are on part-time schedules. Part-time workers made up about 16 percent of the workforce as a whole in 2002, but accounted for almost 38 percent of workers in offices of dentists and more than 21 percent of those in offices of physicians. Students, parents with young children, dual jobholders, and older workers make up much of the part-time workforce.
Many health services establishments operate around the clock and need staff at all hours. Shift work is common in some occupations, such as registered nurses. Numerous health services workers hold more than one job.
In 2002, the incidence of occupational injury and illness in hospitals was 7.4 cases per 100 full-time workers, compared with an average of 5.3 for private industry overall. Nursing care facilities and hospitals had much higher rates of 12.6 and 9.7 cases, respectively. Health services workers involved in direct patient care must take precautions to prevent back strain from lifting patients and equipment, to minimize exposure to radiation and caustic chemicals, and to guard against infectious diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Home care personnel who make house calls are exposed to the possibility of being injured in highway accidents, all types of overexertion when assisting patients, and falls inside and outside homes.