According to the U.S. Labor Department, companies and governments posted 3.38 million jobs in December.

That's 260 thousand more jobs than the previous month.

But the hiring isn't keeping up with the job openings, it's only risen 11 percent since 2009.

Here in Bowling Green major employers like Commonwealth Health Corporation say they're filling vacant positions rather than making new ones.

Lynn Williams, Medical Center Human Resources Vice President, says,"I think 2012 at least from what I see right now, it'll be more of going back and filling things as they become open. We don't have any plans to expand things right now, but again it depends on what our needs are and what are the needs of the community."

After several expansions in 2011 CHC posted more job openings than in past years.

Western Kentucky University also hired more people in 2011 than they did in 2010.

And while many of the positions require certain qualifications, you don't necessarily need to go to medical school to throw your name in the hat.

"We also have a strong need for those support positions that work alongside these professionals," says Williams ",to make sure they have what they need to meet the needs of the patients better. So, you'll see environmental services and food services and patient registration,"

Williams says although no expansions are planned for the Medical Center right now, the medical field is always changing.

"As the expansion of health services grow, we feel we need to make sure we have the right people working when they're needed.