Career Paths in Allied Health Science: Jobs, Scope, Salary

Allied Health Science is a specialised discipline in healthcare. It includes professionals who support or assist other healthcare professionals. They use scientific methods to diagnose, treat, and prevent various chronic and acute medical conditions. The major motive is assisting doctors in providing all-around medication to the patient, promoting well-being and improving the way of living.

Pursuing a career in Allied Health science has a lot of benefits. One of the foremost benefits is its multidisciplinary nature. It combines fields such as science, medicine, health and behavioural science which prepares them to explore a variety of job roles.

The scope of Allied health has increased a lot after the pandemic. With the evolution in the healthcare industry and increasing focus on the importance of health, the need for professionals who can assist and support other medical officers is also on the rise.

Allied Health Professionals or AHPs can work in various environments. Some of the common work settings include private and government sectors, clinics, laboratories, hospitals, research organisations, residential care, and NGOs. Depending on their job role, they can also provide social assistance to the aged or physically disabled people and can also help poor or homeless people.

With continuous hard work and dedication, Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) can join many senior-level positions. In the section below, we will discuss various career paths in the Allied health discipline and its scope. We have also provided information on the average salary of some popular job profiles.

Career Paths in Allied Health Science

As we have discussed earlier, the growing health awareness, improving lifestyle, and rapid technological innovation in the healthcare industry, have led to an increase in demand for Allied Health Professionals.

According to a recent study by NATHEALTH in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), India has an unfulfilled demand of 30-40 per cent of Allied Health Professionals. It has led to an increase in the need for qualified AHPs. Some of the popular career opportunities in the field of Allied Health are discussed below.

Dietitian

Dietitians are nutritional experts who assist people in improving their overall health. They can work in various settings. Hospitals, clinics, the culinary industry, and sports industry are some of the examples. Dietitians have specialised knowledge of nutrition and their benefits on the human body. They help the graduates by providing them with personalised diet plans and tips to improve their overall health.

Audiologist

Audiologists are professionals responsible for treating those with hearing problems. Their responsibilities include diagnosing and treating various disorders related to hearing loss. Audiologists also advise the patients on various preventive measures to be followed. They may work with other healthcare professionals to provide a comprehensive treatment plan to the patient. The average salary of an Audiologist in India is Rs. 4.2 LPA.

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants are a crucial part of the healthcare industry. They generally provide support and assistance to Physicians in treating the patients. Physician Assistants work at private and government hospitals, labs, clinics, or any other medical setting. Physician Assistants have many roles and responsibilities, they assist physicians with surgery and also provide moral support to the patient and their families.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistants are professionals who help the patients with mobility and regaining strength. They work under the Physical Therapist and assist them in diagnosis. Physical Therapist Assistants or PTAs interact with the patients directly and help them in their recovery. They also make note of the medical records and prepare a treatment plan.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists are medical specialists who help patients perform various routine tasks effectively. They work with patients of all ages. Some of the work settings of an Occupational Therapist include hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres, schools and private sectors. The average salary of an Occupational Therapist in India is Rs. 4 LPA depending on their job role and experience.

Scope of Allied Health Science

Allied Health Science includes professionals who work alongside doctors, nurses and other specialists. Their work includes diagnosis, treatment, and providing preventive care to the patients. The demand for qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) has increased significantly after COVID-19 and people are more aware of the importance of health and well-being.

The pandemic has also made one thing very clear, the health industry in India is under-staffed. There is a need for professionals who can assist other professionals and work as a team. Some of the popular job roles one can opt for are Dietitian, Physician Assistant, Audiologist, and Occupational Therapist.

Average Salary

In the table below, we have discussed the average salaries of the popular job roles in India. Candidates can choose a career based on their interests and future aspirations.

Source: AmbitionBox

Conclusion

In conclusion, with improving lifestyles, technological advancements in healthcare, and new diseases and illnesses emerging, the demand for Allied Health Professionals or AHPs has increased. They assist various healthcare officers such as doctors and nurses to provide comprehensive care to patients. They also help reduce the stress and burden by providing support whenever required.

As per the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of AHPs will increase 13 per cent from 2021 to 2031. Allied Health Science also allows the students to explore a variety of career paths and choose a job profile based on their interests and aspirations.