| Allied healthcare is one of the fastest growing | | | | work. Dental assisting training is regulated by the |
| industries for employment in the US. Allied health | | | | ADA (American Dental Association), and |
| refers to healthcare apart from nursing or a | | | | prerequisites require only a high school diploma. |
| medical profession. Allied healthcare workers are | | | | Dental assisting is a great starting point for those |
| part of a healthcare team that works together | | | | who wish to gain advanced training for higher |
| for optimal health for patients. There are | | | | skilled and higher paying positions. |
| numerous allied healthcare positions supplying the | | | | Physician Assistant: Physician assistant is an upper |
| high demand for expertly trained healthcare | | | | level position that requires prior experience in the |
| personnel to deliver quality healthcare at a lower | | | | medical field, whether in nursing or another |
| cost. The job titles, descriptions, training | | | | medical profession. Physician assistants perform a |
| requirements and regulations of allied healthcare | | | | variety of duties, and in some states, are |
| positions all vary depending on specialty and | | | | permitted to prescribe medications. They may |
| location. Below are the prerequisites and training | | | | train at the bachelors or masters level in an |
| requirements for some of the most popular | | | | accredited program in order to become certified. |
| careers in the ever growing field of allied | | | | They must also do clinical rotation and in some |
| healthcare. | | | | cases, complete a hospital residency. |
| Physical Therapy: Physical therapists work with | | | | Medical Imaging or Radiology Technician: Radiology |
| patients who are suffering from physical ailments | | | | technician careers allow technicians to work |
| by teaching them various exercises. Physical | | | | directly under radiologists to assist in x-rays and |
| therapists must take extensive training above the | | | | other diagnostic tests. Training programs take |
| bachelor's level, while physical therapist assistants | | | | from 1 to 4 years. In order to specialize in medical |
| can be trained in an associates program. Physical | | | | imaging, such as MRI or CT Scan, technicians |
| therapy is a high paying position that boasts | | | | must take advanced level training. The field is |
| flexibility and independence. | | | | extremely lucrative with a salary of at least |
| Medical Billing: Medical billing and coding is one of the | | | | $40,000 annually, with that number considerably |
| most important jobs in allied healthcare. Medical | | | | higher for those who specialize. |
| billing professionals use a universal code to convey | | | | EMT (Emergency Medical Technician): There are |
| information and comply with federal regulations | | | | several levels of EMT training. It is a highly |
| and insurance companies. Training consists of a 1 | | | | demanding job that requires emotionally stability, |
| to 2 year program that covers the main coding | | | | agility, and coordination to deal with emergency |
| and billing systems. College education is not | | | | situations. Training programs take several months |
| required to begin training in medical billing and | | | | for EMT-B (Basic) and longer for EMT-P |
| coding. | | | | (Paramedic). EMT professionals must also be |
| Health Administration: There are many careers | | | | certified in the state in which they work. |
| available in healthcare administration and | | | | Speech Therapy: Speech therapists work closely |
| management. Training programs range from | | | | with physicians and patients to treat and manage |
| diploma programs to master's level education. | | | | disorder of communication, speech, and |
| Training focuses on medical terminology, | | | | swallowing. Training requires advanced education |
| regulation, ethics, and various other related topics. | | | | at the bachelors or master's level and well as |
| Those seeking advanced training usually focus on | | | | clinical practice. |
| a sub-specialty such as administration of hospitals | | | | Online training sites help you find schools in your |
| or nursing homes. | | | | area or online courses. These are only some of |
| Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacy technician | | | | the careers available in allied healthcare. All |
| positions in allied healthcare are widely available. | | | | positions in allied healthcare are expected to have |
| Technicians assist pharmacists in the filling of | | | | excellent opportunities from now until 2014. The |
| prescriptions, as well as managing patient medical | | | | jobs are expected to come from the ever |
| records and insurance information. Training | | | | growing healthcare industry and the demand to |
| programs are offered at vocational schools, | | | | provide patient care outside the hospital setting |
| community colleges, and on-site training and focus | | | | and at an efficient cost. For a more in depth look |
| on pharmaceutical related coursework and | | | | at allied healthcare training programs and |
| experience. The field is not currently regulated, | | | | requirement, visit |
| but certification is available and preferred by | | | | This article was written by Angela Oliver. For |
| employers. | | | | more information about Allied healthcare careers, |
| Dental Assistant: Dental assisting is another | | | | training, and continuing education, please visit Find |
| popular allied healthcare career that boasts great | | | | jobs and available training programs in your area |
| hours and benefits. Dental assistants perform a | | | | that can help you begin a career in healthcare. |
| variety of tasks to assists dentists with daily | | | | |