The promised expansion of the Northwestern Memorial HealthCare could create hundreds of new jobs for those with medical experience on their resume in the Chicago area. If the project at the Streeterville medical campus is approved by city and state officials, it could provide as many as 650 new positions, as well as an additional 300 jobs that would be relocated from other health care facilities in Chicago. The new center will include therapeutic and diagnostic facilities, doctors' offices and a retail complex. The new health center is the latest in a growing number of medical facilities expected to add jobs over the next several years in Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune. Early next month, Rush University Medical Center will open a new $654 million hospital tower in Chicago, and Silver Cross Hospital will move to a new $400 million facility in New Lenox this February. Many health care facilities are in the processing of expansion in order to accommodate an aging population while preparing to implement a number of regulatory changes under health care reform. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 out of the 20 fastest growing occupations are in the health care industry with job opportunities in the field expected to grow by 22% through 2018. |