The field of healthcare is quickly growing, and no longer dominated by nurses and doctors. Today, hospitals and clinics also employ a variety of other professionals under the term allied medical professions. It is estimated that about 65% of the total health care work force is made up of allied health care professionals. Many online degree programs and online medical career training is now geared toward different allied medical careers, and you can easily find an accredited school that can help you meet your goals. If you think that a career in health care is for you, here are the basics you need to know to get into allied medical careers.
- Definition: The term allied medical professions is an umbrella term that is used to describe over a hundred occupations in the health care field. The allied medical profession includes technicians, diagnostic medical sonographers, radiology technicians, opticians, dental hygienists and many more health care jobs. Physicians, dentists and nurses however, are excluded from the list of professionals under the allied medical careers.
- Choosing Your Specialization: Choosing a career in the allied medical field may be difficult because there are so many options. You should consult your school guidance counselor for advice on what type of allied medical job fits you best. If you have an interest in mathematics, for instance, you can work as a diagnostic sonographer. If you have an interest in biology, on the other hand, you can work as lab technicians with a specialization in microorganisms.
- Educational Background: The area of allied health professionals is widely varied, as are the education requirements. Some specialties require certification. Most however, require a college degree up to and including doctoral level work. Athletic trainers must have a baccalaureate degree and a fair number go on to obtain a master’s degree. They must be certified or licensed in addition to the degree. Cytotechnologists also need a four-year degree and must graduate from an accredited program. Medical transcriptionists can become certified in one year, although there are two-year degree programs that are available.
- Job Opportunities: Once you have received your degree and your certification, however, finding a job will be easy. Generally, you can get work in hospitals and in clinics. There are, however, many allied medical professionals who also work elsewhere, such as in research laboratories, in private clinics, in health institutions, and even in homes for the aged. Some employees, for instance those in health information areas, can even work from home. These are jobs that are in high demand and so it may take a couple of years of working at a facility before being promoted to at-home status.
- Salaries: In this varied field, salaries range widely. Typically, those who work on the coasts receive higher salaries. Those who work for large hospitals tend to make more than those who work for small clinics. The amount of education needed to enter the job also has an impact on salary. Here are a few sample salaries: cytotechnologists, $54,000-$66,700; pharmacists, $56,000-$133,000; dental assistants, $22,270-$46,500; respiratory therapists, $40,000-64,000.
As an allied medical professional, you can help others while being in a very profitable career. The professions in the allied health field also have great potential for those who want to start their own business. There are a number of practitioners who do not work for a facility, but open their own business in their field of practice. Be sure to research the variety of specialties available in this large field.