Every year, the first week of November is a time to celebrate the 7 million allied health professionals in the health industry. This year, during National Allied Health Professions Week, the world commemorates the role allied health professionals continue to play in assisting other health care providers and citizens in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and support day-to-day health and wellness.
What are Allied Health Professions?
Allied health professionals provide diagnostic evaluation, rehabilitation services, disease treatment, and management in the healthcare industry. These professionals work alongside nurses, dentists, and pharmacists in providing medical care to patients. Allied health professionals can also work independently, offering special services in nutrition, health education, or dental health.
What Does an Allied Health Professional Do?
Allied health professionals comprise 60 percent of the workforce in the medical field. They primarily support the well-being and health of patients, working in hospital-based or home-based environments. Some common allied careers include:
- Medical assistant
- Pharmacy technician
- Medical billing and coder
- Nursing aide
- Prosthetist
- Physiotherapist
- Dietitian
- Dramatherapist
- Osteopath
- Dental hygienists
- Diagnostic sonographers
- Medical technologists
- Physical and respiratory therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
Is a Career in an Allied Health Profession a Good Option?
Healthcare is 18 percent of the U.S. economy, twice as high as in other countries. And, the number of allied health professionals rose steadily from 15.6 million in 2010 to 19.8 million in 2020. Allied health workers, often referred to as technologists or technicians, represent a significant proportion of medical practitioners globally, and this week is an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and contributions to the industry.
Bianca Lopez recently graduated as a medical assistant from SCI’s Austin campus. SCI gave her an extraordinary opportunity to study as an allied professional while still working in her full-time job. Now Bianca is currently playing a critical role in COVID-19 screening.
“SCI gave me the flexibility to do something greater for the health and well-being of my community while enabling me to balance my personal life. Being paid to do something you love? I consider that to be a success.”
The Job Opportunities are Diverse
Job opportunities in allied healthcare expand every year, and the trend will continue even in the future. For those who have suffered a layoff due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, choosing a career as an allied health professional can equip you with extraordinary knowledge to work in the medical field.
The Training Programs are Flexible
Allied healthcare training takes an average of months to two years. Allied health careers are flexible and accommodate people already working in the medical field or other fields. After completing the training, you will be prepared for careers in hospitals, homes, or private practice and understand the practical and hands-on medical techniques used to advance medical knowledge.
Job Security
Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the general need for healthcare professionals, the healthcare industry requires more skilled health workers. The sector is undeniably one of the fastest-growing industries globally. Training in allied health careers enables professionals to select from innumerable medical career paths, joining a diverse and exciting industry.
Southern Careers Institute Grads with Allied Health Careers
Southern Careers Institute (SCI) offers several allied health programs including medical office specialists, nurse aides, medical billing and coding, and pharmacy technician programs. The institute, established in 1960, is at the forefront in offering training in allied health careers. In fact, SCI prepares graduates to take more than 20 nationally recognized certification exams in the medical field.
This article was published on: 11/4/20 11:46 AM
* SCI does not guarantee employment or a starting salary upon graduation, completion, or withdrawal from SCI. As an accredited post-secondary institution, SCI has various federal financial assistance programs available for students who qualify and are enrolled in SCI programs. This does not apply to seminar students.
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