What is Allied Health?
What is Allied Health?
Allied health refers to a broad group of healthcare roles that support, supplement, and extend, traditional medical care provided by doctors and nurses. These professionals perform essential services including diagnostics, treatment support, therapy, clinical assistance, and patient care support, making them integral members of the healthcare workforce.
Allied health professionals work in hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, laboratories, long-term care facilities, and community health settings to help patients stay health and recover from illness. This field continues to grow as healthcare needs expand nationwide.
What is an Allied Health Professional?
An allied health professional is a trained helathcare worker who provides diagnostic, therapeutic, clinical, or patient support services outside of nursing or medical doctor roles. These professionals focus on hands-on care, patient interaction, and specialized services that help keep healthcare systems running efficiently.
Allied health careers include roles like respiratory therapists, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, diagnostic imaging specialists, and more. The work they do is vital for patient outcomes and the overall delivery of healthcare services.
Allied Health: Healthcare Employment Growth
Healthcare occupations, including allied health professions, continue to grow significantly faster than the average across all occupations, driven by aging populations, increased preventive care, and expanded access to services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare occupations overall are projected to have about 1.9 million job openings annually due to growth and replacement needs.
Career Outlook and Salaries for Key Allied Health Roles
There are a few key allied health roles that are continuing to grow rapidly, well over the average job growth rate.
Respiratory Therapist
- Median annual wage: $80,450 (reported in May 2024)
- Job growth (2023-2033): 13% — reported by BLS, much faster than average national growth.
Respiratory therapists play a critical role in treating patients with breathing disorders, especially in hospital and acute care settings.
Medical Assistant
- Median annual wage: $43,460 (reported in May 2024)
- Job growth (2024-2034): 12% – much faster than average, reported by BLS.
Medical assistants perform a blend of clinical and administrative duties, often serving as the backbone of outpatient care teams.
Pharmacy Technician:
- Median annual wage: $43,460 (reported in May 2024)
- Job growth (2024-2034): 6% – reported by BLS, faster than the average occupation.
Pharmacy technicians are essential in healthcare settings, managing medication preparation and coordination under the supervision of pharmacists.
Why Allied Health Careers Matter
Allied health careers offer several benefits:
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- Strong employment growth and demand – many roles project growth rates well above national averages.
- Entry points with certificates or associate degrees – meaning faster paths into the workforce than many four-year careers.
- Meaningful impact on patient care – in multidisciplinary healthcare environments with opportunities for specialization, career advancement, and continued education.
Healthcare support occupations, particularly those that require certificate or associate credentials, help fill critical needs across care settings and contribute directly to patient outcomes and system efficiency.
Why Choose St. Augustine College for Your Allied Health Career?
At St. Augustine College, allied health students benefit from purpose-driven training grounded in real practice and guided by experience faculty who know how to prepare you for the modern healthcare workforce. With programs designed across industry standards, hands-on clinical experience, and support services that help you persist and succeed, St. Augustine College offers a clear pathway from education to employment. Whether you’re pursuing Respiratory Therapy, Medical Assistant, or Pharmacy Technician training, our curriculum emphasizes both the technical skills and patient-centered care competencies valued by employers, helping you build confidence, earn recognized credential, and step in an allied health career ready to make an impact.
How to Start Your Allied Health Career
- Explore programs like Respiratory Therapy, Medical Assistant, or Pharmacy Technician at St. Augustine College.
- Enroll and complete training focused on essential skills and hands-on experience.
- Earn credentials required for entry and certification in your chosen field.
- Launch your medical career in hospitals, clinics, pharamcies, or community practices.
