Events
Information for Allied Health Professions/Rehabilitative Students
Preparing for an Allied Health School
Overview of the Profession
Job titles and occupational descriptions on this list were compiled from information published by the American Medical Association's 30th Editions of the Health Professions Career and Education Directory
The term Allied Health (or Health-Related Professions, at some institutions) is used to identify a cluster of health professions, encompassing as many as 200 health careers. There are 5 million allied health care providers in the U.S. who work in more than 80 different professions and represent approximately 60% of all health care providers -- but this is just a drop in the bucket in terms of how many allied health care workers are needed to meet current and future healthcare needs in America.
ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT The Anesthesiologist Assistant functions as a specialty physician assistant under the direction of a licensed and qualified Anesthesiologist, principally in medical centers. The AA assists in developing and implementing the anesthesia care plan. They provide other support according to established protocols. Such activities may include presenting anesthesia delivery systems and patient monitors and operating special monitors and support devices for critical cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological systems.
ATHLETIC TRAINING Athletic Trainers promote health and physical fitness among amateur and professional athletes. An AT may recommend exercises and suggest a diet to strengthen the body, reduce weight, or prevent illness and injury. Trainers work closely with an ill or injured athlete to evaluate their condition and provide treatment as directed by a physician.
AUDIOLOGY Audiologists provide services to people who have hearing disorders. They perform a variety of tests to diagnose hearing problems. The tests include procedures to determine functions such as air and bone conduction, speech reception, and sound discrimination. They use instruments, such as audiometers, to measure range, nature, and degree of the patient's hearing ability.
CLINICAL LABORATORY SERVICES Laboratory tests play an important role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases. Cytotechnologists work under the supervision of pathologists to detect changes in human cells that may indicate diseases and conditions such as cancer, endocrine disorders, or infectious lesions. Medical Technologists perform laboratory tests on blood, tissues, and body fluids. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform laboratory tests under the supervision of a pathologist. They report test results to physicians, nurses, and pathologists. They collect blood samples, prepare chemical solutions, monitor the quality of tests and procedures, and maintain records of laboratory tests. Nuclear medicine technologists use and administer radioactive materials to help physicians diagnose and treat diseases.
DIETETICS AND NUTRITION Dietetics is the science of applying food and nutrition to health. Dietitians and nutritionists integrate and apply the principles derived from the sciences of food, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, food management, and behavior to achieve and maintain the health status of the public they serve. Different jobs within the nutrition care team include Dietitians, Dietetic Technicians and Dietetic Assistants, Dietary Aide, Food Technologists, Food and Drug Inspector and Analyst, Nutritionist.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS EMT's assess ill or injured people and initiate professional health care at the scene of an emergency. They provide care until the patient receives direct medical attention from a physician. Until direct medical care is available, the emergency medical technician works under the remote supervision of a physician. At the scene of the emergency or en route to a health care facility, an EMT may control bleeding, reinitiate and maintain breathing, monitor heart rate, or administer drugs.
HEALTH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION Health Educators teach people how to establish and maintain a healthier lifestyle through changes in behavior. They plan, design, implement, coordinate, and evaluate programs to increase patient knowledge and improve health practices. Medical Illustrators prepare accurate illustrations of medical information. They apply some of the methods and materials that are used by artists, photographers, designers, engineers, computer scientists, and audiovisual specialists. Medical Record Administrators plan and develop health information systems for efficient and confidential receipt, recording, storage, and retrieval of medical data. Environmental Health Specialists protect and improve the health, safety, comfort, and well-being of people by protecting the environment.
MEDICAL ASSISTANT Medical Assistants perform administrative or clinical work for physicians. Duties include scheduling patient appointments, maintaining medical records and transcripts, and handling insurance and financial matters. Clinical duties include performing diagnostic tests, medical laboratory procedures, and related services.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY OT's use creative, educational, and recreational activities to help physically and mentally disabled patients of all ages to acquire or recover and maintain life skills. They also help to prevent accidents of injuries. They evaluate a patient's ability to perform activities that are needed for a healthy and productive life. The OT then plans and coordinates therapeutic activities to accommodate the patient's needs and interests.
PHYSICAL THERAPY & EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY Exercise Physiologists work closely with physicians to plan, prescribe, and evaluate specific body movements to strengthen, improve, and maintain patient health. Physical Therapists evaluate the patient's musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems and then use this information to determine the patient's therapeutic needs and develop appropriate plans and procedures for treatment. The goals of physical therapy are to restore strength, endurance, flexibility, or coordination; prevent or limit disability, and improve general health.
PROSTHETIST/ORTHOTIST Prosthetists plan, prepare, repair, and fit artificial limbs and supportive devices that physicians prescribe for patients with weak or missing limbs or body parts. The orthotist designs and fits supportive or corrective devices, such as an orthopedic brace for a patient who has a disabled leg or a weak spinal column. Both jobs' duties include: taking measurements, making casts, designing prostheses, fitting and evaluating prostheses on patients, and instruct patients in the use and care of prostheses.
RESPIRATORY CARE Respiratory therapists assist physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and preventative care of patients of all ages with cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) disorders. They often work with patients with asthma, bronchitis, cardiac failure, drowning injuries, hemorrhage, pneumonia, and shock. Respiratory therapists receive life support training in airway management, artificial ventilation, external cardiac massage, and other emergency support procedures.
TECHNICAL INSTRUMENTATION Technology has made medical treatments more effective and has improved health care providers' diagnostic capabilities greatly. Today, it is possible to observe internal organs, mechanically ventilate a patient's lung and test the functioning of the brain noninvasively. The health care professionals responsible for using this equipment properly are highly trained in both the technical and medical aspects of their respective fields. Cardiovascular and electroneurodiagnostic technicians and technologists monitor the functioning of the heart and brain, respectively. Perfusionists monitor the heart, lungs and circulation during surgery and can provide long-term care. Radiation therapists administer radiation to patients with cancer. Radiographers process and produce high-quality x-ray photographs or medical images of internal body structures. Surgical technologists maintain the sterility of all surgical equipment and assist physicians during procedures. Dosimetrists determine and monitor the dosage amounts of radiation. Ultrasound technologists use complex ultrasound equipment to produce two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings that show the shape, position, and movement of internal organs; the accumulation of fluid in the body; of the presence of various masses, such as a tumor or fetus. Biomedical engineers and biomedical equipment technicians must produce and maintain intricate equipment and machinery, which are used to cure illnesses and save lives. The health care professionals responsible for using this equipment properly are highly trained in both the technical and medical aspects of their respective fields. Cytotechnologists work under the supervision of pathologists to detect changes in human cells that may indicate diseases and conditions such as cancer, endocrine disorders, or infectious lesions.