Popular Allied Health Specialties

Explore these trending health careers and discover the education you’ll need. Which one is right for you?

The field of allied health is made up of an array of professions that fall outside the traditional healthcare categories of doctors and nurses. Fields such as healthcare administration and medical therapy offer a number of important and essential jobs under their broad umbrella.

A specialty will take you even deeper into the allied health realm, offering opportunities to fine-tune your professional skills and opening doors to potential advancement.

Dental Careers

Who doesn’t love a great smile? A job in the dentistry profession allows you the opportunity to support patients’ oral health—either directly or behind the scenes.

Dental Hygienist

Work alongside dentists and directly with patients to clean teeth, take X-rays, assist with procedures and support your patients’ oral health

Dental Lab Technician

Work with sophisticated equipment and tools to create tooth replacements and other dental appliances for patients

Healthcare Administration

Maybe direct patient care isn’t your jam? You can still make a difference in the healthcare industry in one of these administrative positions.

Health Unit Coordinator

Serve as a vital link among physicians, staff, patients, and visitors in a hospital or clinic

Health Information Manager

Collect, analyze, and maintain patient data in this technology-focused healthcare role

medical professional consults with business professional

Healthcare Administrator

Be part of an administrative team that ensures a smooth-running and successful healthcare facility

professional giving presentation at conference table in lab

Health Information Technician

Oversee the management and security of patient health records and heath information systems

Medical Transcriptionist

Create reports and other administrative documents from physicians’ dictated recordings

woman leading team meeting and pointing to white board

Long-Term Care Manager

Manage staff and care providers at facilities like nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities

medical professionals talking in medical lobby

Medical Office Manager

Support and oversee the administrative services in a healthcare facility

professional on laptop with holograph of faces and lines

Medical Records Specialist

Maintain and record all of the data for a healthcare facility

two people in scrubs discuss paperwork over reception desk

Medical Administrative Assistant

Handle tasks like record keeping and appointment scheduling

medical professionals in discussion at conference table

Hospital Administrator

Support and oversee the administrative services in a hospital

health services managers meeting to review procedures

Medical Services Manager

This administrative role is a good fit for those interested in the business of healthcare

administrator walking with medical staff in hallway

Nursing Home Administrator

Lead staff while overseeing the care of residents and the operations of a long-term care facility

health professional consults with younger male patient

Health Educator

Educate individuals and communities about health conditions and services

Medical Technicians

If you enjoy working with the latest technology—as well as with patients—you might find your passion in one of these fields.

Medical Lab Technician

Perform tests that help physicians diagnose and treat diseases

looking at lab slides under high tech microscope

Histotechnologist

Work in a laboratory to prepare tissue and blood samples for viewing by pathologists

Ophthalmic Technician

Work alongside an ophthalmologist to examine patients with vision issues

older patient receiving cardiac sonogram from sonographer

Cardiac Sonographer

Diagnose heart and blood vessel problems under the direction of a supervising physician

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Work behind the scenes to process laboratory tests for review by doctors

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Use imaging equipment to perform diagnostic tests on patients

X-ray Technologist

Create medical images to help physicians and specialists diagnose and treat health conditions

ekg tech reads test result on heart scan

EKG Technician

Perform EKGs to measure the electrical activity in a patient’s heart and diagnose cardiac conditions

Medical Specialties

These specialized fields are great for those with a passion for a specific line of work, such as nutrition or prescription drugs.

Optician

Work with patients to fill their eyeglass prescriptions

woman planning meals for client on tablet

Dietitian

Provide nutritional information and menu-planning services to individuals or groups

professional leading seated group in discussion

Gerontologist

Studies the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, psychological, and societal effects of the aging process

Pharmacist

Fill prescriptions and educate customers and patients on medication use and safety

lab coat technicians meet in medical facility

Epidemiologist

Understand how and why diseases spread, and how to protect the public from them

two office professionals discussing screen with charts

Biostatistician

Analyze medical data to find solutions to challenging health problems

Medical Therapists

If you’re a “people person,” one of these hands-on fields, where you’ll work to rehabilitate patients, might be just what you’re looking for.

Audiologist

Diagnose and treat patients suffering from hearing, auditory processing, and balance disorders

woman with occupational therapy senior citizen patient

Occupational Therapist

Work with injured patients to help them regain the skills they need to perform everyday activities

woman working with child on motor skills

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Help children with physical or cognitive impairments develop daily living skills

Respiratory Therapist

Treat emergency or chronic respiratory issues in patients in hospitals or clinics

Radiation Therapist

Work with oncologists and other medical teams to prepare patients and administer radiation treatments

emergency medical technicians helping patient with oxygen mask

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Provide immediate, hands-on care to patients in emergency situations

medical professional helps patient move arm above head

Physical Therapist Assistant

Help physical therapists in their daily activities assisting patients during rehabilitation

Nursing

If you’re drawn to nursing, a support role in the field might be ideal.

Certified Nursing Assistant

Provide basic care to patients in a hospital or long-term care setting

Licensed Practical Nurse

Care for sick, injured, and recovering patients in a hospital or clinic under the direction of a physician or registered nurse

Put Your Passion to Work

If you’re ready to start researching health schools that can help you apply your skills and passion for helping