Allied health occupations are helping professions within the medical field.
While it is easy to identify medical doctors and nurses as healthcare workers,
it takes a variety of other professionals to treat a patient. These additional
health care
workers comprise the allied health field.
Have you ever spent time in a
hospital as a patient? If so, you were probably seen by a variety of health
care workers. In addition to you doctor and nurse, you may have been seen
by many people working in allied health professions. Perhaps a medical
sonographer performed an ultrasound on your abdomen, or a radiologic technician
took an x-ray of your injury. You may have been given exercises to help
you regain strength by a physical or occupational therapist. A respiratory
therapist may have administered your breathing treatments. A pharmacist
was responsible for dispensing your medication, while medical technologists
worked behind the scenes to analyze your blood and tissue samples. Many
professionals were responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of your
illness or injury. They are all examples of allied health professionals.
Students
pursuing jobs in the allied health field may someday work with doctors,
nurses, therapists and technicians to accurately diagnose diseases and
conditions and work as a member of an interdisciplinary team whose goal
is insuring patient recovery and health. If you enjoy teamwork, helping
others and solving problems, one of the many allied health professions
can be a satisfying career for you.
Professional advisors in the Fulbright
College Advising Center advise students who are interested in the following
allied health professions:
Follow the links below to regional schools
and professional societies for allied health, or to learn more about each
allied health profession, visit the Allied
Health Manual.
Chiropractic
Cleveland College
Logan College
Palmer College
American Chiropractic Assoc.
Dentistry
Louisiana State University, School of Dentistry
University of Missouri- Kansas City, School
of Dentistry
University of Tennessee- Memphis, College
of Dentistry
Baylor College of Dentistry
University of Oklahoma, College of Dentistry
American Dental Association
Occupational Therapy
University of Central Arkansas
American Occupational Therapy Assoc.
Optometry
Illinois College of Optometry
Northeastern State University College of
Optometry
Southern College of Optometry
University of Houston, College of Optometry
University of Missouri- St. Louis, School
of Optometry
The American Academy of Optometry
The American Optometric Association
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
Pharmacy
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,
College of Pharmacy
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
American Association of Colleges
of Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
American Physical Therapy Association
Others
American Society of Cytopathology
The American Dental Hygienists' Association
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
American Medical Technologists
Society of Nuclear Medicine
Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel
in Ophthalmology
Radiological Society of North America
American Association for Respiratory Care
University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences, College of Health Related Professions
(Cytotechnology, Dental Hygiene, Medical Sonograpy, Medical Technology, Nuclear
Medical Technology, Ophthalmic Technology, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory
Care)