AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.
As Allied Health Professionals, you are part of an estimated 60% of the workforce classified as health workers, making your jobs vital to patient care. You serve as the backbone of the industry, working with frontline workers such as X-ray Technicians, CT Technicians, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Pharmacists. These technical jobs are in high demand across the country. AB Staffing is here to learn about your career goals and place you in a travel healthcare job in areas where your skills and experience are needed.
As a travel professional, you work with your Recruiter to find the best match for your experience. While the timelines and requirements vary depending on specialty and job title, Allied Health travel professionals must have 1 or 2 years of experience before taking a travel position.
Technical jobs are in demand because the population is aging. Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and older Gen X-ers, born between 1965 and 1980, require more significant medical intervention as they age. There is also the reality that the pandemic has caused stress to the healthcare community and some are retiring early or moving to other jobs, leaving facilities needing workers to fill gaps.
Role of Allied Health Professionals in Enhancing Patient Care:
Understanding Allied Health Professionals
Allied Health refers to positions distinct from medicine and nursing. The categories of professionals in this field include Primary Care, Diagnostic, Rehabilitative, and Health Promotion.
- Primary Care includes hygienists, pharmacists, health care technicians, and Certified Nursing Assistants.
- Diagnostic includes those who work with X-ray, CT, and MRI machines such as CT Techs and X-ray Techs.
- Rehabilitative includes Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists.
- Health Promotion includes health educators, dieticians, and nutritionists.
While some specialties require two years of education, others may require more or less education and training. It depends on the specialty, so ask your college, university, or high school counselor to connect with the programs in your area to learn more.
As a traveler, you will need to organize degrees, certifications, and licenses, preferably digitally, along with your resume and references so they are easily accessible when you send them to our recruiters.
Vital Role of CT Techs and Xray Techs
How vital is your role as a CT Tech or X-Ray Tech? The images you take help real people get and stay well.
CT and X-ray technicians perform detailed cross-sectional imaging, which is vital for accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning. Your knowledge of operating advanced CT technology ensures precise imaging while minimizing radiation exposure and enhancing patient safety. By quickly providing critical images in emergencies and non-emergencies, you aid in prompt and effective medical intervention.
When a woman fell and twisted her ankle, she was bruised and exhausted and thought something more than a sprain had occurred. When she went to the emergency room, she was checked in and immediately taken for an x-ray. An X-ray tech greeted her and took images of the ankle. The ortho team used the images to determine there were three broken bones and that our friend needed surgery. Without the images, she may have walked on a broken ankle! Instead, she is recovering at home.
Another patient needed a CT scan of his leg to determine how far an infection had spread. Once the CT technician took the images, they were reviewed, and it was determined that the patient needed aggressive antibiotics to fight the infection and that the bone was possibly infected. Without the images, he may have become septic and gotten quite ill. Instead, he was treated and is resting at home.
These real-world examples show how imaging supports diagnostics, early detection, and accurate diagnoses to aid in patient care.
Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists
After a patient is diagnosed, their treatment plan may include occupational or physical therapy.
- Occupational therapy is designed to help patients regain independence by improving their daily life skills. As an OT, you will assess and address physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges, ensuring a holistic approach to patient rehabilitation.
- Physical therapy is designed to improve the quality of life with patient mobility. This is accomplished through strength and mobility exercises for patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions. PT helps reduce pain and enhance quality of life.
An OT may help a stroke patient relearn fine motor skills like feeding and bathing, whereas a PT would assist the same patient in learning how to walk.
Role of Pharmacists in Patient Care
As a pharmacist, you are responsible for dispensing medication prescribed by doctors. You educate patients about their medications, helping them understand and adhere to the medication schedule. You also play a significant role in preventing medication errors, adverse drug interventions, and proper pharmacy medication storage.
To become a pharmacist, you must earn a four-year degree and attend pharmacy school. However, you can begin as a pharmacy tech while completing undergraduate work.
Benefits of Allied Health Professionals in Travel Assignments
In a travel position as an Allied Health Professional, you have the flexibility and adaptability to work wherever we have open positions available. As a traveler, you have exposure to different healthcare environments and practices and opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement. You may not have these opportunities if you stay where you are now…. BUT…
- Are you willing to move away from your current area?
- Do you want the flexibility to change jobs every few months?
- Are you okay with being the new person on the job?
If you’re willing to move to areas where your skills are needed, you can earn more money than you can as a shift worker, gain experience, and extend your professional network.
Working with AB Staffing means you have a dedicated recruiter who provides personalized placement services. Our tailored job-matching process is designed to align with your professional skills and experience. We also offer assistance with licensing, housing, and travel arrangements. You have access to a wide range of job opportunities nationwide and encouragement to grow your career through diverse experiences. We pride ourselves on being available to you throughout the onboarding process throughout your entire contract.
We understand the importance of Allied Health Professionals in enhancing patient care. You are the backbone of the industry, and your skills are in demand. We’d love to talk to you about considering travel assignments. Reach out to an Allied Health Recruiter today to learn more.
We hope you found this article on the role of allied health professionals in enhancing patient care helpful. Are you an allied health professional? Do you have anything to add to the article or advice for fellow allied health professionals? Comment below.
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