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