The job market in the healthcare profession has never been better.

A recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that healthcare occupations are expected to have the fastest employment growth from now until 2024.

"This sector of the economy is projected to generate 9.8 million jobs," the bureau reported in the 2015 report.

For those interested in or have a working knowledge of this career field, now is a good chance to act in the service of others.

"We have many caregivers who do this kind of work as more of a calling to make a difference in other people's lives," wrote Lois Etienne, owner of Tacoma-located Home Instead Senior Care (www.homeinstead.com).

An Army veteran, Etienne served at the Madigan Army Medical Center as a lab technician.  Using her GI Bill, she became a registered nurse and started the Home Instead Senior Care franchise 20 years ago.

"The biggest quality we look for when we consider hiring someone is character," she continued.  "We can teach all the skills needed, but you can't teach someone to be caring and honest and reliable."

The organization's mission is to "give peace of mind" to clients and their families through professional care given by compassionate, trained caregivers.

"We have and continue to hire veterans and military wives," continued Etienne. "I understand that if you served your military tour, you exhibited the ability to work together to accomplish a goal."

In a rhetorical nod to a standard military practice, Etienne said that employees are expected to show up to work on time.

"That's five minutes early."

Starting a career as a caregiver can open doors to becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN), a registered nurse (RN) or a social worker.

"I encourage all young people to go to nursing school; it is a profession that pays well and opens doors to many different types of careers," concluded Etienne.

Speaking of a doorway to a career, Nicole Gottschalk walked into the opportunity to serve offered by Advanced Health Care (www.advanced-healthcare.com) with offices in Lakewood, Lacey and Federal Way.

"All my life I've been surrounded by a supportive military community, and it's important for veterans to be well taken care of," Gottschalk wrote in a testimonial about working for the agency.

For more than 30 years, the company, which was founded by a Vietnam veteran and his wife, has been serving the South Puget Sound community.

The company offers a plethora of opportunities.

"The best way to get involved is to earn a certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential with the state," wrote Lynessa Tinglum, the agency's community relations manager.

She pointed out that employees could obtain a CNA credential by attending Pro Care Academy (www.procrateacademy.org), a facility opened by the owners of Advanced Health Care.

"A CNA credential is the ‘gold standard' credential in healthcare and opens up many different job opportunities to include home health, long-term care, hospitals, clinics and other agencies," continued Tinglum.  "Once earned, the sky is the limit."

The notion of serving others and keeping an eye on the future clearly appealed to Gottschalk.

"Advanced Health Care is very supportive, flexible and understanding of the military way of life," she added. "We get to build caring and trusting relationships with clients, their families and with the company."

Other local healthcare agencies worth a look are as follows:

Cottesmore of Life Care: (Gig Harbor) www.cottesmoreoflifecare.com

Life Care Centers of America: (Puyallup) www.lifecarecenterofpuyallup.com

Maxim Healthcare Services: (Tacoma) www.maximhealthcare.com

Prestige Care, Inc.: (Auburn, Gig Harbor, Puyallup) www.prestigecare.com

Sound Options: (Tacoma) www.soundoptions.com