Allied Health Careers

Hospitals are busy places and employ many types of health care professionals to care for patients. Working alongside doctors and nurses are other health care providers whose professions come under the heading, “Allied Health” (www.asahp.org). These Allied Health professionals include the following: Cardiovascular Technologists, who help diagnose heart disease; Clinical Laboratory Scientists, who work in the medical laboratory; Health Information Managers, who handle the patient medical information and records; Radiologic Technologists, who take x-rays; Radiation Therapists, who deliver radiation to patients with cancer; Respiratory Therapists, who help treat people with lung and breathing problems.

Hospitals today have two big problems. First, there is an immediate need for health care workers in most of the professions, including nursing and allied health. Second, there will be a long-term shortage of qualified health care providers just when the demand for health care is increasing. The demand for healthcare is increasing because of the aging population in the United States. A large portion of the population is now over 50 years old, just the time of life when there is a higher incidence of disease. The demand for health care is increasing while the supply of health care professionals is decreasing!

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) has projected that the growth rate of new jobs in the health care professions will be 28.8% until 2010. This is twice the rate of job growth in non-healthcare professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also predicts a need for 5.3 million health care workers to fill job openings created by departures and new positions. Data further indicates increases in some of the allied health professions are as follows: Cardiovascular Technology - 34.9%; Clinical Laboratory Technology - 17%; Health Information Technician - 49%; Radiologic Technicians and Technologists - 23.1%; Radiation Therapists - 22.8%; Respiratory Therapy Technicians - 34.6%.

The supply of allied health professionals is not keeping up with demand. Overall enrollment in allied health educational programs has declined over the last ten years. There are not enough graduates to meet the current or future demands.

How does one become and allied health professional? After researching and choosing a particular profession such as Clinical Laboratory Science or Respiratory Care a student usually needs to complete a two year Associate Degree or four year Bachelor Degree program. The program should be accredited and lead to a national certification examination. Some professions also require state licensure. The websites of the professional societies and the educational accrediting agencies will list the accredited programs in the United States and are excellent sources of information. Information on careers and programs can be found at the following websites: Cardiovascular Technology - www.caahep.org; Clinical Laboratory Science - www.naacls.org ; Health Information Management - www.ahima.org ; Radiologic Technology and Radiation Therapy - www.jrcert.org; Respiratory Care - www.aarc.org. Information can also be found in the Occupational Outlook section of the website of the Bureau of Labor Statistics - www.bls.gov.

Editorial provided by Dr. Linda Reilly, Ed.D., Associate Professor and Dean, School of Allied Health Professions, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA.