Allied Health

Allied Health Professional

A career as an allied health professional spans across multiple fields. Working in allied healthcare, you could be a lab technician, occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist, physical therapist, medical imaging and sonography technician, occupational therapist, and more. If you are passionate about medicine and helping others, an allied health career may be perfect for you.

Explore schools offering allied health programs near you today!

What Does an Allied Health Professional Do?

An allied healthcare provider is a professional working in the healthcare industry separately from doctors and nurses. Those working in allied health operate with evidence-based practices for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of acute or chronic conditions. 

You may work in a laboratory, hospital, doctor’s office, or even in various clinics. Some may even operate on the administrative side of clinical settings, using bookkeeping or management skills to ensure daily operations run smoothly. 

How to Become an Allied Healthcare Professional

The process of schooling and certification for an allied health focused career varies depending on the exact career and field you are entering. Typically, however, an associate degree in allied health will take 2 years to complete. Some allied health curriculums are available as certificate programs. 

Again, program length depends on the career you are pursuing, but some certificate programs can take as little as 6 to 12 months to complete. For instance, both dental assistant certificate programs and EMS/paramedic programs can take as few as 10 months to complete. And a phlebotomy course can take a little less than a year to complete. 

When choosing an allied health program, it is important to ensure that the school or program is accredited. If your program is not accredited, you may not be considered eligible for future certifications you need, or even, employment. 

Reasons to Choose a Career in Allied Health

There are many reasons people choose allied health careers, including but not limited to:

• Helping Others: Allied healthcare professionals make differences in the lives of others. The field of allied health is both fulfilling and rewarding.
• High Demand: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that demand for overall healthcare careers is expected to increase in coming years.
• Variety: Allied healthcare encompasses many fields in the healthcare industry. You could work in dentistry, nutrition, medical assisting, and many other fields. 
• Quick Training Options: Most careers in allied health have quick training options, getting you career-ready much sooner than a university may.

Working in allied healthcare is a great opportunity for those who would like to pursue a medical career without experiencing the time and financial investments medical school can incur. 

Allied Health Career Opportunities and Pay

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in allied health are expected to increase in demand by 2032. Depending on your exact career, you may experience increased job security, along with earning any necessary certifications. 

For example, the BLS expects medical assistants to experience an increased demand of 14 percent by 2032, which is much faster than the national average. 

Your pay in allied health also depends on your specific job title. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the national average pay for allied health professionals was $38,220, with the top 10 percent earning closer to $49,840 in 2023. However, some careers may have higher earning potential. For instance, if you pursue a career in dental hygiene, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the 2023 average pay was $89,890 for dental hygienists. 

Become an Allied Healthcare Professional Today!

There are many reasons to pursue a career in allied healthcare. If you are someone who is interested in entering the healthcare industry, enjoys helping others, and wants an in-demand career, allied health could be perfect for you! 

Explore allied healthcare programs offered near you today!