An Overview of Allied Health Professions
Ever wonder who keeps healthcare running behind the scenes?
It’s not just doctors and nurses doing the heavy lifting. Allied health professionals are the quiet heroes — the technologists, therapists, and lab experts — who make high-quality care possible.
From X-rays to rehab plans, these roles support clinical decisions and patient outcomes every single day. In this post, we explain allied health, its powerful career path, and how to get started.
What Are Allied Health Professions?
Allied health includes a wide range of specialties focused on diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and support services. These roles aren’t physicians or nurses — they’re specialists in imaging, rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, and lab sciences.
Whether helping pinpoint a diagnosis with imaging or supporting a patient’s physical rehab, allied health pros are essential at every step of the healthcare journey.
Why Choose a Career in Allied Health?
There’s a reason more clinicians are exploring allied health careers — or switching to them entirely.
These roles blend purpose and practicality, offering hands-on care without the same level of burnout or red tape often found in other clinical settings, and many positions offer:
High Demand & Job Security
With an aging population and evolving care needs, allied health professionals are in serious demand. Hospitals, clinics, and outpatient centers are actively seeking skilled technologists and therapists to support care teams.
Competitive Pay & Career Growth
Many allied health careers offer substantial salaries and the room to specialize or lead. With the proper certifications and experience, you can level up your career, whether that means a leadership role, a niche specialty, or higher-paying travel assignments.
Flexible Work Settings
These roles exist across the healthcare spectrum, from large hospital systems to smaller clinics and research labs. Travel healthcare offers the chance to explore new cities, work in different care environments, and earn premium pay.
Top Allied Health Specialties to Know
Allied health is a broad field, and there’s no one-size-fits-all path. Whether you’re more hands-on, tech-focused, or interested in therapy and rehabilitation, there’s likely a role that plays to your strengths.
Below are some of the most in-demand specialties worth exploring.
Diagnostic Imaging Technologists
- Specialize in X-ray, MRI, and CT scanning
- Provide physicians with the images they need to diagnose everything from fractures to tumors
- Salary range: $60,000–$90,000/year
Respiratory Therapists
- Treat patients with breathing issues in ICUs, ERs, and rehab centers
- Manage oxygen therapy and ventilators
- Salary range: $55,000–$85,000/year
Physical & Occupational Therapists
- Physical therapists (PTs) help patients regain strength and mobility after injury or surgery.
- Occupational therapists (OTs) assist individuals in adapting to daily life activities following medical conditions or disabilities.
- Work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home health settings
- Salary range: $70,000 – $100,000 per year
Medical Laboratory Technologists
- Analyze blood, tissue, and body fluids to support diagnoses
- Work in hospital labs, diagnostic centers, and research settings
- Salary range: $55,000–$80,000/year
Speech-Language Pathologists
- Treat communication and swallowing disorders
- Work with stroke survivors, children, and trauma patients
- Salary range: $65,000–$95,000/year
How to Launch Your Allied Health Career
So, you’re thinking allied health might be your path — but where do you start?
Whether fresh out of school or looking to shift into something new, getting into this field is more straightforward than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to guide you through the process.
1. Explore Your Options
Start by identifying what roles match your interests and strengths. Do you enjoy working with patients? Solving problems? Working with technology? There’s a specialty for you.
2. Complete the Right Education
Depending on the field, this could be a certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, or even master’s program. One thing to look for is proper accreditation, which matters for both licensing and job placement.
3. Get Certified & Licensed
Most allied health roles require national certification or state licensing. Research what’s needed in your field and plan ahead for licensure exams.
4. Build Experience
Clinical rotations, internships, and entry-level roles give you the hands-on experience (and professional connections) you’ll need to grow.
5. Consider Travel Assignments
Once you’re certified, travel healthcare can offer flexibility, premium pay, and exposure to a variety of clinical environments across the country.
6. Partner with a Trusted Agency
Working with a trusted staffing agency like Lucid Staffing Solutions can make all the difference.
We help you navigate the job search, streamline credentialing, and find assignments that match your goals — because we’ve been in your shoes.
Is an Allied Health Career Right for You?
If you’re looking for a meaningful career with stability, growth, and purpose, allied health could be your next move. Whether you want to work bedside or behind the scenes, there’s a path that fits your skills — and we’re here to help you find it.
Get in touch with our recruiting team today to learn how we can land you your dream job in allied health!