Career Pathways
Allied Health –Did You Know?
- Allied Health is made up of about 80 different professions and 200 different careers.
- At least 5 million people are Allied Health professionals in the U.S., and it is the fastest-growing part of the health care industry.
- The job outlook for many fields is very good. Between 2008 and 2016, the need for qualified Allied Health workers will grow faster than most other occupations. Some examples of projected growth:
- Dental Assistants, 36%*
- Respiratory Therapists, 21%*
- Sonography (Ultrasound) Technologists 18%*
- Some institutions use “Health-related” to refer to Allied Health fields.
- Jobs exist for nearly every interest. Allied Health professionals work in hospitals, clinics, labs, doctors’ offices, home health care and specialized facilities.
- Most but not all jobs involve direct contact with patients.
- As medicine becomes more specialized, the Allied Health fields do, also. Advances in technology also create new opportunities. Ultrasound technology and sleep disorder fields are good examples.
Projected job growth by Allied Health field 2008-18*
| Programs available at Volunteer State Community College | Growth Percentage |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistants | 36% |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 33% |
| Respiratory Care Therapists | 21% |
| Health Information Techs | 20% |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 18% |
| Radiologic Techs | 17% |
| Firefighting occupations | 17% |
| Medical Lab Techs | 14% |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | 9% |
*SOURCE: U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11
| Other Allied Health Programs | |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistants | 39% |
| Dental Hygienists | 36% |
| Medical Assistants | 34% |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 31% |
| Occupational Therapist Assistants | 30% |
| Surgical Technologists | 25% |
| Medical Transcriptionists | 11% |
*SOURCE: U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11