What is the Allied Health Network?
AHN is a comprehensive career resource for all of the allied healthcare professions. AHN plays a supporting role for those who are considering to pursue a career in healthcare and for those interested in furthering their medical career through advanced training or certification.
Each healthcare profession has its own unique requisites for education, certification, and in some cases, multiple certifying bodies. Our role is to provide the essentials needed for each allied health field including certifications, educational requirements, training programs, salary information, job forecasts, and the relevant information on the various governing bodies that oversee each allied health profession.
What Is Allied Health?
Allied health professionals are a group of healthcare workers who provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive services in the healthcare industry. These professionals work alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses and injuries.
They are critical to the healthcare system and play a vital role in ensuring that patients receive high-quality medical care. The term “allied health” encompasses a wide range of healthcare professions, including medical assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, and many others. Each of these professions requires specialized training and education, and they work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Medical assistants, for example, are responsible for a variety of tasks in a healthcare setting, including taking medical histories, preparing patients for exams, taking vital signs, and assisting with procedures.
Allied health professionals play a key role in the delivery of patient care and they are valued members of the healthcare team. They work closely with physicians and other healthcare workers to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to patients, and they often serve as the primary point of contact for patients in their day-to-day healthcare needs.
The field of allied health offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals who are passionate about healthcare and committed to helping others. Whether you are interested in becoming a medical assistant or another type of allied health professional, you will find a wealth of career opportunities in this dynamic and growing field.
Which is the Allied Health Career Path for you?
A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who assists physicians and other healthcare providers in clinical and administrative tasks. They perform duties such as taking patient medical histories, preparing patients for exams, administering medications, and scheduling appointments.
A medical billing and coding specialist is a healthcare professional who is responsible for converting patient medical records into codes that are used for billing and insurance purposes. They ensure that medical bills are accurate and processed efficiently.
A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who assists pharmacists in dispensing prescription medications to patients. They also perform tasks such as preparing medications, managing inventory, and processing insurance claims.
Dental assistants are healthcare professionals who work alongside dentists to provide support in various clinical and administrative tasks. They play a vital role in dental clinics, providing assistance in procedures, sterilizing instruments, taking X-rays, and performing other tasks as needed.
Nurse assistants, also known as nursing assistants, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), or nurse aides, play a crucial role in the healthcare industry. They work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to provide basic care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.
Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are healthcare professionals who provide basic patient care under the supervision of a licensed nurse or physician. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings, and their job duties may include monitoring vital signs, assisting with personal care, administering medication, performing basic laboratory tests, and assisting with medical procedures.
A dialysis technician, also known as a hemodialysis technician, is a healthcare professional who operates and maintains the equipment used in hemodialysis treatment. Hemodialysis is a medical treatment that removes waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so.
A veterinary assistant is a trained professional who works in a veterinary clinic or hospital and provides basic care and support for animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
An occupational therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people with physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities or impairments to improve their ability to perform daily living and work-related tasks through therapy, rehabilitation, and adaptation techniques.
Why Should I Choose a Career in Allied Health?
01
Job Stability and Growth
Allied health careers are in high demand, and the demand for these professionals is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the aging population and advancements in medical technology.
02
Diverse career option
There are many different specialties within the field of allied health, which means that you have a wide range of options to choose from based on your interests, skills, and passions, from patient care to administrative roles.
03
Competitive salaries
Many allied health careers offer competitive salaries, especially for those with advanced degrees or certifications.
04
Opportunities for advancement
Many allied health careers offer opportunities for growth and advancement, such as taking on leadership roles or pursuing advanced degrees.
05
Flexibility
Some allied health careers offer flexible schedules, which can be especially appealing for those with other responsibilities, such as caring for a family.
06
Collaborative work environment
Allied health professionals often work as part of a team, which can provide a supportive and collaborative work environment.
07
Team-oriented environment
Allied health professionals work closely with other healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, in a team-oriented environment.
08
Making a difference
By pursuing a career in allied health, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and contribute to the greater good of society.