Interested in a healthcare profession? Employment in healthcare careers is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 1.8 million openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While some health professions demand lots of schooling and a large financial investment, allied health careers are a great way to contribute to the talent pipeline and land yourself in a career that is in high demand. They’re also called pre-health careers and can be a strategic path to make a career change, advance your career if you are looking to do go to medical school, or are a foreign-educated professional seeking entry to the U.S. workforce.

Topping the list of these pre-health careers are medical assistant, phlebotomy technician and pharmacy technician. Here’s what they do:

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistants or CCMA complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patient’s vital signs.
• Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT’s) help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals.
• Certified Phlebotomist Technicians (CPT’s) draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations.

Reasons allied careers are on the rise:

1.    Job security

Estimates have suggested that as much as 60 percent of the U.S. healthcare workforce is classified as allied health. Allied health plays an essential role in the delivery of healthcare and related services in the U.S. and throughout the world, according to the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professionals, based in Washington D. C. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that the healthcare labor shortage that started because of the overwhelming stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic may worsen in the coming years – projecting a deficit of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034.

2. Good, increasing pay

As demand increases, so does the potential for your paycheck to grow. For example, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the average salary of pharmacy technicians is $31,090/ But 90 percent of pharmacy technicians make an average annual salary of $43,900.

3. Flexible study schedule

Many allied health career training programs are flexible and can work around your busy schedule. You can work part-time or even full-time while working toward your allied health certification. Our programs provide the opportunity to enter a dynamic healthcare career in as little as eight to 10 weeks. And, our interactive hybrid, self-paced programs feature a combination of online and hands-on training (externships) to prepare you to gain training, earn credentials and move up in your career path.

4.    Opportunities for advancement

Allied health professionals wear many hats and perform myriad different tasks throughout the day. These experiences give you a front-row glimpse of a medical career and demonstrates your willingness to roll your sleeves up and work.

5. Making a difference

One of the biggest benefits of being a health professional is that you are making a difference in the lives of patients and their families who rely on your care.

6. Be a catalyst for change

As tomorrow’s healthcare leaders, you have the passion and drive to try to make an impact on healthcare and help improve outcomes for patients.

Ready to get started? Check out these opportunities at Healthcareer CERTS, The National Institute of Healthcareer Certification.