Allied health is an important part of healthcare systems throughout the United States. It refers to the teams or groups of healthcare professionals who support medical providers with the diagnostic and treatment services patients need to manage their health conditions.
Around 60% of the healthcare professionals in the United States fall into the category of allied health professionals. These non-nurse, non-physician professionals support healthcare systems all over the country and play a necessary role in providing services to patients and communities. And, the field is growing.
Estimates from the United States Health Resources and Services Administration show that there will be an estimated 45 percent increase in the number of occupational therapists, 27 percent increase in the number of physical therapists, and 50 percent increase in the total number of respiratory therapists by 2030.
And the demand for these roles will continue, as well. In fact, by 2030, the HRSA projects that there will be a:
- 22% increase in demand for occupational therapists
- 30% increase in demand for respiratory therapists
- 26% increase in demand for physical therapists
Working in allied health is an excellent choice for your career, and demand will remain high over the next several years and well into the future. Here’s more on allied health, what it is, why it’s so important, and the roles you can take in this area of healthcare.
What You Need To Know About Allied Health
Allied health is a term that refers to the group or team of medical professionals who collaborate together for the health of a patient. As a part of an allied health team, you may be responsible for educating patients to prevent illness and disease. Or, you may diagnose or treat illnesses of some kind.
Allied professionals often work with referring physicians, such as primary care providers or emergency room physicians, to maintain the continuity of care a patient has been receiving. Allied professionals may also work with nurses and other medical doctors, supporting these mainstream healthcare providers with the diagnostic and treatment services their patients need.
Top Allied Health Careers
Speech-Language Pathologists and Assistants
Speech-language pathologists, or SLPs, are healthcare professionals who work with patients to treat disorders of speech, swallowing, and language. They may work in many different facilities, such as hospitals, private practices, schools, or nursing homes. These individuals may work with assistants, who are known as speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs). These assistants may help with tasks such as providing administrative support, taking part in prevention and advocacy tasks, or delivering services under the guidance of a supervising SLP.
Occupational Therapists and Assistants
Occupational therapists and their assistants play an important role in helping clients through therapeutic activities and exercises. The exercises generally promote socialization, coordination, and meeting developmental milestones. Some patients go into occupational therapy to learn or relearn daily tasks.
Occupational therapists and their assistants may need to teach clients to use adaptive devices or how to complete daily tasks in new ways. Supportive assistants work closely with clients, as well, and are considered a vital part of the interdisciplinary team. Therapy aides, who are not usually trained to help patients directly, may focus on more administrative tasks, such as preparing equipment or materials for clients.
Physical Therapists and Assistants
Physical therapists and their assistants work together to support patients who are going through physical rehabilitation. Physical therapists diagnose patients and develop a course of action to help resolve injuries, chronic pain, and other concerns.
Physical therapy assistants are also patient-facing, but they may not work with them one-on-one right away. Usually, they will focus on preparing a patient for the diagnostic process or helping with the rehabilitation exercises or treatments after they have been established. Physical therapy assistants often report back to a supervisory physical therapist, who will review notes and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Medical Lab Professionals
Medical lab professionals are often out of sight, but they are a vital part of the medical field. Individuals in this career perform scientific testing of many types, reviewing samples and reporting back to the medical providers who are working one-on-one with patients. The lab work done by medical lab professionals requires training on the use of laboratory equipment such as centrifuges and microscopes. Very importantly, it’s estimated by the Mayo Clinic that up to 70 percent of all decisions about a patient’s care are directly based on the results of the tests medical laboratory professionals complete.
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists work directly with patients who have breathing disorders or problems that require treatment. They may treat conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or asthma, for example.
Respiratory therapists often work in hospitals and are regularly found in intensive care units (ICUs). However, there are levels of respiratory care, including in critical care, emergency care, adult, acute care, pediatrics, sub-acute care, and home care. Some respiratory therapists may work in the pulmonary function lab.
Imaging and Radiology Professionals
Imaging and radiologic techs may work with various kinds of imaging equipment, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, computerized tomography (CT) scanners, X-ray machines, mammography machines, and others.
In this role, technicians and technologists are responsible for adjusting and maintaining all equipment. They also follow orders sent by the medical team, prepare patients for procedures, operate the machinery, and produce images. They are responsible for interacting with patients and keeping detailed records, as well.
SHC is Your Partner in Allied Health
The demand for allied health professionals will continue to grow, which is why we’ve placed a focus on helping allied health professionals find roles where they can thrive. At Supplemental Health Care, we believe that working in allied health is a great way to do what you love and support the healthcare systems that provide for patients and communities all around our country.
When you partner with our team at Supplemental Health Care, you gain access to thousands of allied health opportunities across the country. With over 40 years of experience, our dedicated Allied Health division is ready to support you on the next steps of your career.
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