What Is Allied Health? A Complete Career Guide

In today’s healthcare industry, patient outcomes depend on far more than physicians and nurses alone. Allied health professionals play a critical role across diagnostics, rehabilitation, treatment support, and patient education, helping care teams deliver more complete and effective care.

For candidates exploring top allied health careers, this field offers a wide range of specialties, strong job demand, and multiple career paths across hospitals, outpatient care, home health, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.

There is also a growing demand for allied health professionals in the healthcare system, which is underscored by the fact that they make up 60% of the sector’s workforce.

What Is Allied Health?

Definitions of allied health vary greatly. However, the American Medical Association's Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) defines it as any healthcare-related profession that assists, facilitates, or complements the work of physicians and other specialists.

Allied health professions include roles such as physical therapist, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists, medical assistants, phlebotomists, audiologists, and many others.

While they are not typically physicians or nurses, allied health workers are essential health care providers who help assess conditions, perform diagnostic imaging, deliver therapies, support treatment plans, and improve patient care across the healthcare field.

The Importance of Allied Health Professionals in Healthcare

Allied health professionals are essential to modern healthcare because they support both the diagnosis and treatment process. A physician may identify a likely condition, but allied health workers often provide the services that confirm findings, guide treatment, and improve recovery.

Diagnostic medical sonographers, cardiovascular technologists, medical laboratory professionals, and radiologic technologists help generate the information care teams need to make decisions.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory care, and dietetics professionals help patients regain function, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life. Their work strengthens patient care at every stage of the healthcare system.

Types of Allied Health Careers

What is an allied health professional? That depends on who you ask. Allied health is a broad sector with numerous occupations across diverse categories:

• Therapeutic Services: Physical therapist, occupational therapist, respiratory therapist, exercise physiologist
• Preventive: Dental hygienist, health educator, athletic trainer
• Diagnostic Services: Radiologic technologist, medical laboratory technician, medical sonographer, phlebotomist
• Health Informatics and Support Services: Health information technologist, nutritionist, registered dietitian, emergency medical technician, health administration
• Advanced Practice Providers: Physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner

These professionals support clinical care teams in ensuring patients receive the care they need to enhance treatment effectiveness.

Education and Training for Allied Health Professionals

Education requirements in the allied health field vary by role. Some positions require an associate degree, while others call for a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, depending on the level of specialization.

Common educational pathways into allied health include:

• Certifications: Complete a training program and sit for an exam to gain and validate critical skills
• Associate’s Degrees: Complete a two-year degree that offers theoretical foundations and practical applications
• Bachelor’s Degrees: Complete a four-year degree that includes more in-depth study
• Advanced Degrees: Complete a master’s degree or doctorate to become qualified for advanced practice or leadership roles

Many educational programs incorporate clinical rotations and internships to offer students hands-on experience. This experiential training is crucial for ensuring specialized skill development, making real-world applications of theoretical knowledge, and understanding how care teams work.

The Importance of Program Accreditation

Program accreditation is an important part of preparing for allied health careers. Accredited programs demonstrate that they meet recognized quality standards and help ensure students receive the academic and clinical preparation needed for safe, effective practice.

Accreditation can also affect certification eligibility, licensure requirements, and future job opportunities in the healthcare industry.

Career Opportunities in Allied Health

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those in healthcare occupations earned a median salary of $80,820 in May 2023, though this figure includes physicians and nurses. Those in healthcare support occupations earned a median salary of $36,140 in that same time frame. Salary ranges for individual occupations vary. Here are some examples:

• Athletic Trainers: $43,180 to $80,640
• Dental Assistants: $35,470 to $61,060
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: $36,620 to $105,140
• Dietitians and Nutritionists: $44,910 to $98,830
• Physician Assistants: $86,280 to $170,790

Many allied health professions have optimistic growth forecasts for the foreseeable future. For example, audiologist jobs are projected to expand at a rate of 11% between 2023 and 2033. Some other high-demand allied health fields include:

• Respiratory Therapists: 13%
• Physical Therapists: 14%
• Medical Assistants: 15%
• Speech Language Pathologists: 18%
• Home Health and Personal Care Aides: 21%

Though growth forecasts vary, the BLS expects employment opportunities across all healthcare professions to grow much faster than average in the coming years.

The Benefits of Pursuing a Career in Allied Health

Pursuing a healthcare career in allied health can offer flexibility, variety, and long-term growth. Many allied health professionals work in in-demand specialties, with opportunities to pursue different career paths based on interests, education, and experience.

The field also appeals to candidates seeking meaningful patient care work without following a traditional physician or nursing route.

With options ranging from technical imaging roles to therapy, dietetics, and medical technology, allied health offers room to grow in both clinical and nontraditional settings.

How to Become an Allied Health Professional

The path into allied health depends on the role you want to pursue, but most careers follow a similar progression: choose a specialty, complete the required education, gain hands-on training, and meet certification or licensure requirements where applicable.

Because allied health professions are so diverse, it is important to match your interests and strengths to the right educational and career path.

Steps to Enter the Allied Health Field

To enter the allied health field, start by identifying which specialties align with your interests, whether that is diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, occupational therapy, sonography, respiratory care, medical laboratory work, or another patient-focused area.

From there, research degree or certificate requirements, complete the necessary coursework, and gain clinical experience through externships or training placements.

To enter the allied health field, you need to:

1. Choose a specific career path
2. Research and complete education requirements
3. Obtain required certifications or licenses
4. Gain experience through internships and entry-level roles

Check with your state’s professional boards to obtain state-specific requirements for your chosen career path.

Key Qualifications and Certifications

Qualifications vary across allied health professions, but many roles require a high school diploma plus specialized postsecondary education.

Depending on the specialty, candidates may need an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree, along with licensure or certification. Strong communication, critical thinking, comfort with healthcare technology, and the ability to work as part of a larger care team are important across nearly all allied health careers.

Resources for Educational Programs and Job Opportunities

Multiple accrediting bodies, associations, bureaus, and professional societies serve to help candidates find educational pathways and opportunities in the allied health space:

• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
• Association of Schools Advancing Health Professionals
• National Center for Competency Testing
• American Medical Certification Association

There are also many professional associations for specific allied health careers, including medical assistants, audiologists, medical technologists, sonographers, athletic trainers, and more.

The Role of Healthcare Staffing Agencies Like GHR

One of the best ways to gain experience is to work with a healthcare staffing agency. GHR connects candidates with allied health job opportunities in their specialty and location. Healthcare staffing agency recruiters can provide targeted guidance through the process of finding the right match to land a role and career you love.

Discover a Rewarding Career in Allied Health

Allied health professionals are the backbone of treatment success, providing the essential support that drives positive health outcomes. Without their expertise, patients wouldn't receive the comprehensive care essential for their recovery and well-being.

Allied health offers a dynamic and rewarding career path filled with opportunities for growth, impact, and professional fulfillment. Ready to launch your career? Secure your next allied health opportunity with GHR Healthcare.