Set Your Career in Motion by Exploring the Exciting Possibilities Allied Health Careers Have to Offer in Northeast Ohio
Throughout the United States, the healthcare field has been one of the most rapidly expanding industries of the 21st century. Nowhere is that more true than in Northeast Ohio, where the healthcare industry comprises a substantial portion of the economy. Northeast Ohio Hospitals are consistently among the top 10 employers within their respective counties.
The supply of healthcare professionals is not keeping pace with the demand for them, resulting in the need for skilled workers in allied health careers. The demand for healthcare is increasing because of the aging population in the United States. A large portion of the population is now over 50 years old, just the time of life when there is a higher incidence of disease. To address these concerns, The Center for Health Affairs workforce initiative, NEONI, has worked to make an impact on the recruitment of nurses and allied health professionals.
Allied health professionals are healthcare practitioners with formal education and clinical training who are credentialed through certification, registration and/or licensure. They collaborate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to deliver high quality patient care services for the identification, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disabilities and disorders. There are more than 200 allied health careers available and many of them are in demand.
Examples of allied health careers include diagnostic medical imaging, medical laboratory technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy and pharmacy, to name a few.
In order to know if an allied health career is right for you, it is recommended that you spend time researching the occupation to understand the education and training required as well as the skills that are required to successfully work in the occupation.
Participating in the NEONI Healthcare Job Shadowing program is one way to become aware of the work performed and the environment through a one day real-life experience. Career assessment testing is another way to assess work interests, skills, abilities and values in order to ensure that the occupation is a good fit.
Click on each allied health career to learn about the career, required education, certifications, schools, and professional organizations: