Allied Health Overview

Health Professions Workshop  

OFFICE OF HEALTH CAREER PATHWAYS

• Definition: "Allied health may be defined as those professions distinct from medicine and nursing."
• Allied Health professionals comprise over 60% of the healthcare workforce.

OFFICE OF HEALTH CAREER PATHWAYS

The Allied Health Professions Fall Into Two Broad Categories:

Therapists/Technologists - The educational process for therapists or technologists is more intensive and includes acquiring procedural skills.

Technicians (assistants) - Technicians are trained to perform procedures, and their education

lasts less than two years. They are required to work under the supervision of technologists or therapists.

Physical Therapists Defined: Training, Salary, and Location

Physical therapists work with patients of all ages to help them gain mobility. They customize a care plan to meet each patient’s needs, assessing balance, coordination, strength, and overall health. From there, they use a variety of methods, including strength training, massage, dry needling, and wellness education ³

• Step 1: Earn a 4-year college degree in a Health-Related field and shadow or intern with a PT
• Step 2: Earn a Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT)
• Step 3: Obtain a State PT License
• Step 4: Complete a Physical Therapy Residency

Training:

PTs often work in hospitals, private practices, clinics, or assisted-living centers.

Location:

Salary:

Median annual salary is around $90,000, with variations depending on location and experience.

Pharmacy Assistants

Role and Responsibilities:

Medication Dispensing

Customer Service

Inventory Management

Record Keeping

Prescription Processing

Educational Requirements

• Requires a high school diploma
• Complete a formal training program or vocational course in pharmacy technology
• Certification: Certification is not always required but can enhance job prospects.

Salary: Median Annual Salary: Approximately $38,000:

Occupational Therapist Defined: Training, Salary, and Location

Assist patients in developing, recovering, or maintaining daily living and work skills.

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• Master’s in Occupational Therapy (MOT)
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree.
• Licensing is required in all states.

Training:

• Hospitals
• Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Schools
• Rehabilitation Centers

Location:

Salary:

Median $85,000

Emergency Medical Technician EMT; Paramedic

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and paramedics are trained to administer on-site emergency care. They assess the patient's injuries or illness, provide emergency treatment, and transport the patient to a medical facility for further treatment.

• There are 3 levels, HS Diploma is required to begin training and you must pass the National registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Exam
• EMT Basic - consists of CPR training certification, emergency skills, and patient assessment
• EMT Intermediate - use advanced airway devices and administer intravenous fluids and some medications
• Paramedic – complete a paramedic certificate or associate’s degree program and obtain state licensure.

Training:

This job can be dangerous. Paramedics can be routinely exposed to diseases, including hepatitis and HIV, and they risk injury.

Location:

Salary:

The median annual salary for an EMT is approximately $40,000.

Radiology Technician:

Radiologic technologists use imaging equipment, such as X-ray, CT, MRI, and mammography machines, to help diagnose illnesses and injuries.

Formal education isn't required, but most employers prefer candidates with a 1-2 year post-secondary training or vocational program.

Training:

Doctors employ most medical assistants, though some work in hospitals or other healthcare offices. Jobs are typically full-time and may include weekends and evenings.

Location:

Salary:

Median $65,000

Did you know?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the healthcare sector will grow 16% from 2020 to 2030, with some allied health jobs increasing by over 30%. About 1.8 million annual openings in healthcare are expected from 2022 to 2032 due to growth and worker turnover.

Exploring Allied Health Professions

https://youtu.be/LLnkWkgFlJ0?t=2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00Rt-YCZITk

The Fastest Growing Allied Health Careers in 2024

Top Allied Health Careers:

Allied Health Careers

Information from U.S Bureau Labor Statistics (April 2024)

Associates Degree

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary- $99,710

Pass National Exam

(2 years)

Radiology Technologist

Salary- $76,020

Pass Certification Exam

(2 years)

Radiation Therapist

Salary- $98,300

Pass Certification Exam

(3 years)

Dental Hygienist

Salary- $87,530

Pass Certification Exam

Allied Health Careers

Information from U.S Bureau Labor Statistics (April 2024)

(2 years)

Allied Health Careers

Information from U.S Bureau Labor Statistics (April 2024)

Allied Health Careers

Information from U.S Bureau Labor Statistics (April 2024)

Masters/

Doctoral Degree

Audiologist

Salary- $87,740

Pass Standardized Exam

Occupational Therapist

Salary- $96,370

Pass National Exam

Physical Therapist

Salary- $99,710

Pass National Exam

(4 years)

(2-3 years)

(3 years)

(2 years)

Physician Assistant

Salary- $130,020

Pass National Exam

More Examples of

Allied Health Professions

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• Audiologists and speech language pathologists
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists and respiratory therapists
• Diagnostic medical personnel (medical laboratory scientists, cytogenetic technologists, diagnostic molecular scientists, Histotechnologist, and pathologists’ assistants)
• Imaging specialists (radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, and sonographers)
• Nutritionists and dietitians
• Physician Assistants 
• Dental personnel (Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants)
• Emergency medical personnel (EMTs, paramedics)
• Exercise science professionals:

(athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, kinesiotherapy)

• Health information technologists
• Health educators (asthma educators, diabetes educators)
• Counselors (genetic counselors, mental health counselors, family therapists)
• Specialists in cancer diagnosis and treatment:

(medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, and radiation therapists)

• Pharmacy personnel (pharmacy technicians and assistants) 
• Other healthcare providers and support personnel, such as medical assistants

Activity: Exploring Allied Health Careers Using the BLS Website

In small groups of 3-4 students, select 2 allied health careers from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook website (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm). Prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class. This could be a PowerPoint, a poster, or a digital infographic.

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• Describe the daily tasks and responsibilities of each chosen career
• Identify the educational qualifications and training needed. Explore various Educational paths
• Analyze the projected job growth and demand for each career.
• Summarize the median annual salary and salary range for each career.
• Describe the typical work settings and conditions.