Allied Health Professions

Allied health, which is also known as the health related career is used to recognize a group of health professions concerning more than 200 careers in health care. Presently, there are 5 million allied health care providers who are working in 80 different professions. This shows about 60% of all fitness providers. This is just a part of those health care workers who are required to meet present and future health care needs. 36% more health care workers will be required in the next ten years according to the Bureau of labor statistics.

Allied health careers come under two categories: the therapists or technologists and the technicians.

Health technicians:

The technicians are educated for two years and they are taught to perform the procedures. Technologists or therapists supervise these technicians. This part includes radiological technicians, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, medical laboratory technicians, respiratory therapy technicians and recreation therapy assistants. Salaries given to the technicians are according to their education requirements.

Technologists or therapists:

The training for technologists or therapists is very much intensive and it is concerned with more of acquiring procedural skills. Adding up, learners of therapy or technology learn to understand patients, identify condition, make up the treatment policy, and recognize the basis behind various treatments. This is to judge the appropriateness and possible side effects. Careers like allied health require a bachelor’s degree and some even require post-graduates.
Salaries of some of the technicians and technologists:

• Respiratory therapists get a salary of $41,537
• Ophthalmic Technician 39,000
• Clinical lab technician / medical lab technician 37,100
• Radiographer 36,918
• Dietician/Nutrionist 35,300.