Allied health jobs are in specialized careers that focus on everything from physical therapy to surgical technology, and are needed in facilities ranging from hospitals to nursing homes.

Allied health jobs include both independent employment and practicing as part of a team, and these professionals are viewed as experts in their field who play an important role in determining a patient's progress.

Benefits of allied health careers include:

1. Flexibility in geographic location, type of facility and level of skill required.
   
2. Increasing openings in allied health employment.
   
3. Wide range of education options, including two-year and four-year degrees.
   
4. Excellent compensation and benefits, such as housing allowances, in some categories, such as allied health travel jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research the different kinds of allied health employment

Allied health careers fall under two primary categories: technicians or assistants, and therapists/technologists. Technicians usually require less than two years of training, and perform procedures under the supervision of technologists or therapists. Therapists and technologists must complete more intensive training, and may be charged with more responsibility, such as evaluating and diagnosing, and developing treatment plans.

I recommend: Visit the student section at the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions website, which connects potential allied health students with informational resources. Or, live a "Day in the Life" of an allied health professional, such as an occupational therapist, respiratory therapist, registered dietitian, physical therapist, social worker or physician assistant.

Know what kind of salary to expect from an allied health job

When choosing an allied health career, take into account the salaries, which can range anywhere from $15,000 to nearly $200,000 a year.

I recommend: Find a comprehensive pay scale at The American Medical Association website, which lists salaries for 70 allied health professions.

Look into allied health staffing agencies

An allied health employment agency will have information about allied health jobs in facilities, allied health travel jobs, or both. Allied health travel jobs include employment in everything from small rural hospitals to internally renowned research centers. Travel jobs also pay well and offer enormous flexibility.

I recommend: Register at Med Travelers, which places allied health professionals in travel jobs across the country. Post your resume at
AlliedHealthCareers.com, an allied health jobs site. Search www.therightsolutions.com for allied health travel jobs. Go to www.aureusmedical.com to find an advanced search option for allied job seekers.

Join an organization for professionals with allied health jobs

Whether you're looking for allied health jobs, or are already an allied health professional, associations are a valuable source of information about allied health care jobs in general, and about specific topics such as allied health jobs in Canada and allied health jobs in the UAE.

I recommend: The American Association of Medical Assistants and the American Physical Therapy Association are professional organizations that keep you in touch with your field.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure the allied health training program you choose is accredited, and leads to a national certification exam. Also, find out if the job you've chosen requires a state license exam.