5 bright spots in a dim jobs picture

Employment in the sector continues to boom -- more than 77,000 jobs were created so far this year in ambulatory health care services, or all medical services that don't require a hospital visit or overnight stay. The field now numbers than 6 million, a 20% spike since 2006.

Contrast that with hospitals, where job creation has remained relatively flat during 2011. Health care experts point to an increase in technology that's led to more procedures and treatments without a hospital visit or overnight stay.

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