Trustaff provided this article.

It is Allied Week! This week, allied healthcare professionals across the country will clock in for their shifts as they normally do, and patients won’t be the wiser. As life ebbs and flows, we generally try to stay out of the hospital, and because of this, we, the patients, tend to ignore the medical intricacies that we see. If you ask the average person what a nurse or a doctor is, they can probably provide some satisfactory answers.

But what about a phlebotomist? What about a sonographer or a physical therapist? The people who fill these roles are just as vital to our healthcare industry, and yet many fly under the radar. These individuals make up the allied healthcare community, and this week is their week to shine.

What is Allied Week?

Allied Week became a way to recognize the significant contributions of allied professionals, such as Nurses Week, which celebrates the nursing community as a whole. Allied was initially a scattered assortment of healthcare careers that were not tied together. However, in 1967, chartered institutions that represented the individual specialties came together and created the umbrella that is today allied. This group of institutions helped to pass the Allied Health Professions Personnel Training Act in 1966, which spearheaded funding for allied careers, greatly increasing the number of allied professionals in the workforce.

The first full week of November is dedicated to recognizing the immense impact allied health professionals have on our healthcare industry. Encompassing more than 80 different professions like the ones mentioned above, this week celebrates a group of people who oversee everything from health systems management to diagnostic evaluation, rehabilitation, disease treatment, and more. Like nursing, which covers a vast range of specialties, allied healthcare touches every level of our healthcare industry.

Allied’s enduring impact

Over 60% of healthcare workers are classified as allied professionals, and these individuals go above and beyond to improve patient well-being. Nurses and doctors turn to their allied team for their specialized knowledge in radiation, cardiopulmonary, laboratory, and therapeutic care when they need to make potentially life-saving determinations for a patient.

Mitigating Allied burnout

It is important that we highlight and uplift our allied community. Similarly to the nursing community, the covid pandemic saw a mass exodus of allied professionals leaving the bedside. This, in tandem with an aging population and a shrinking supply of new grads, has caused stark shortages across the country. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) predicts a shortage of over 100,000 allied professionals within the next 15 years. It is imperative that allied professionals feel supported and acknowledged so we can mitigate the effects of staff shortages.

How we celebrate Allied’s impact

In honor of the incredible contributions of allied travelers, agencies, facilities, and institutions of higher learning, celebrate Allied Week with giveaways, testimonials, acknowledgment, and lectures to promote open dialogue among allied professionals. Even though the Allied sits under a large umbrella, the Allied community as a whole is a significant driver of the healthcare industry. It is important that the community is being fostered by facilities and agencies to best take care of a group that does so much to take care of us. So be curious. Ask an allied professional about their career, why they took the plunge, and what they enjoy about being an allied professional.

As Allied Week endures, don’t forget to give those individuals in the allied community a shout-out and a pat on the back so they know they are needed and they are appreciated. Happy Allied Week!

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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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AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.

The answer to whether you can take a travel contract as an Allied Health Professional is YES. In fact, there are open positions available across the country.

Allied Health Professionals are the backbone of the healthcare system. You’re in the trenches with frontline workers such as pharmacists, Certified Nursing Assistants, diagnostic technicians, rehabilitation professionals, and more.

If you’re looking for a new career, Allied Health Professionals are in demand. While some specialties require 2 years of education, others may require more or less education and training. These are the people who provide assistance to doctors and nurses, and they are the educators of healthy living and nutrition.

Which Allied Health Professionals Can Take Travel Contracts?

Categories of Allied Health Professionals

Allied health positions are those that are distinct from medicine and nursing. It is estimated that as many as 60% of the healthcare workforce in the United States are in this field. While there are many types of professionals in this field, we can categorize them as these:

Primary Care Provider. These are the people who see patients, such as dental hygienists, pharmacists, health care technicians, and Certified Nursing Assistants.
Diagnostic Professionals. Allied health professionals who work with diagnostic machines like X-ray and MRI technicians, radiologists, ultrasound technicians, and cardiovascular technicians.
Rehabilitative Professionals. These are the allied health professionals who help patients with mind, body, and soul. This includes physical therapists, operational therapists, prosthetists, physiotherapists, and speech pathologists.
Health Promotion. These are professionals who educate patients about having a healthy lifestyle, such as community centers or nonprofit organizations. They may work for government organizations or be hired by businesses to share healthy habits with employees. They include health educators, dieticians or nutritionists, and health coordinators.

As far as travel positions go, we have many opportunities. The benefits of taking an Allied Health travel contract include higher pay, experiencing new areas and cultures, a flexible schedule, and building your resume. The specialties listed below are the most in-demand travel positions for Allied Health Providers.

Most in-demand Allied Health travel positions

Medical Technologist or Med Tech (MT). As a Travel Med Tech, you have the opportunity to take your 4-year degree, live in a new place, and learn new skills. We see a lot of travel positions for this specialty. MLTs are required to have an Associate of Science degree, whereas MTs earn a Bachelor of Science degree. Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) requires a Bachelor of Science degree plus a one-year internship.
Pharmacist. As a pharmacist, you are responsible for dispensing medication prescribed by doctors. You also educate patients about their medications and are responsible for storing and handling medicine in the pharmacy. You earn a four-year degree to become a pharmacist, plus pharmacy school. You can begin as a pharmacy tech while completing undergraduate work.
Ultrasound technicians. You are responsible for taking ultrasounds of patients as prescribed by their doctors to diagnose or rule out specific conditions.
Imaging Professionals – X-Ray Techs, CT Techs, MRI Techs, and Rad Techs. These positions are responsible for getting the right imaging for the doctors to diagnose conditions.
Surgical Technologist. You are responsible for preparing the operating room for nurses and surgeons.
Respiratory Therapist. This specialty is in demand due to COVID-19 and cold and flu season, as you are the ones who assist patients in getting their lung function back to normal.
Sterile Processing Technicians. You play a critical role in preventing infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies.

As you can see, Allied Health Professionals are an integral part of the healthcare system and are in high demand. If you’re interested in open positions or learning more about becoming a traveler, we’d love to talk to you! Check the AB Staffing Job Boards for your specialty.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

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allied health professional

Celebrating Allied Health Professionals Week

What is Allied Week?

Allied’s enduring impact

Mitigating Allied burnout

How we celebrate Allied’s impact

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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Role of Allied Health Professionals in Enhancing Patient Care

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