The healthcare industry as a whole, which is often considered to include EMTs and paramedics, is one of the few that has managed to grow despite the economic recession. Throughout most of the nation, the industry has continued add jobs, and this trend is expected to continue during the near future.

Unfortunately, Indiana's education and health services industry has lost some jobs on a monthly basis as of late, but even those losses only bring the industry's total down slightly when compared to previous years.

The state's education and health services industry employed 412,700 workers during November 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is down from 417,300 workers during October, but only a .9 percent decrease from November 2008.

EMTs and paramedics can expect to be paid well. According to Salary.com, the average salary for a paramedic is between $33,202 per year and $42,182 per year, while the average salary for an EMT is between $25,463 per year and $34,216 per year.

If you're considering one of the many ambulance jobs available, there are plenty of higher education institutions throughout Indiana that can teach you what you need to know in order to secure a position in the field.

Located in Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis has been ranked among the top seven universities in the nation for the number of health-related degrees it offers each year. The school's paramedic degree programs are obtained from the Indiana University School of Medicine, which has the second-largest student body of any medical school in the country.

The paramedic school within the School of Medicine is part of the university's Health Professions Program, which offers a wide variety of certificate and degree programs for healthcare professionals. Those looking to obtain a paramedic degree can opt to earn an Associate of Science degree in Emergency Medical Technician-Basic or an Associate of Science degree in Paramedic Science.

The paramedic science degree program usually takes about two years to complete. Most students who enter this program are already certified as an emergency medical technician-basic. Through the program, students will participate in medical classes and an intensive field internship.

The medical and health professions studies programs at Ball State University and Indiana University both offer EMT and paramedic courses through each school's medical diagnostic and treatment professions departments.

According to Education-Portal.com, other schools throughout Indiana that offer related degrees, but not those tailored specifically to ambulance jobs, include:

• Harrison College
• Brown Mackie College
• University of Southern Indiana
• Indiana State University
• University of Indianapolis
• Indiana Wesleyan University

According to a recent survey from CareerBuilder, 10 percent of Americans took a second job during 2008 and 18 percent said they planned on taking an extra job sometime this year. According to an article by WTHR, several part-time jobs are available throughout Indiana, and many of those jobs offer good money and good perks.

Servive Connections, based in Indianapolis, offers many types of part-time work with flexible schedules. Pay ranges from $10 to $100 per assignment and includes perks such as free meals and tickets to sporting and other events.

Another company, Happy Tails Pet Sitting, is hiring private contractors to help with business tasks, which could include feeding and playing with animals, cleaning out litter boxes and refreshing water supplies. Pet walkers and sitters must be at least 21-years old, pass a criminal background check (Click here) and meet other requirements. Pay ranges from $100 per week to $200 per week, depending on the number of assignments.

Even though many residents are opting for second jobs, Indiana's economy seems to be improving as of late. During September, the state saw its unemployment rate decrease from 9.9 percent to 9.6 percent, which is slightly lower than the national unemployment rate of 9.8 percent.

Indiana had a total non-farm employment of 2,811,100 workers during September, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 2,806,700 workers during August and a 4.6 percent increase from last year.