As demand for healthcare workers continues to grow in Virginia, more people are turning to careers in allied health. It’s an expansive field that provides essential services across all parts of the healthcare sector. In this career guide, we give an overview of allied health professions, relevant education requirements, and salary expectations.
Read on to learn:
• What Is Allied Health?
• 5 Types of Allied Health Professions
• What Can You Do With an Allied Health Degree
• 11 Rising Allied Health Professions
Or use On Board Virginia’s in-depth job board to explore over 2,000 open allied health roles across Virginia.
What Is Allied Health?
Allied health professions (AHPs) typically support healthcare systems by providing essential services that may not be offered in nursing and medicine.
As of 2024, there are over 9 million allied health professionals in the US, representing about 60% of the healthcare workforce. They work in diverse settings, from hospitals and clinics to labs, private practices, and even corporate settings.
5 Types of Allied Health Professions
Allied health professionals fall into one of five general categories:
• Primary Care Providers: Often the first point of contact, these allied health workers work alongside physicians to diagnose, evaluate, and treat health conditions. (Ex: Dental hygienists, CNAs, and patient care technicians.)
• Health Promoters: These APHs educate individuals on how to optimize their health by encouraging improved health literacy and sustainable lifestyle and behavioral changes. (Ex: Dieticians, community healthcare workers, and therapists.)
• Healthcare Administration and Management: The administrative staff manages paperwork, finances, and other back-office processes in healthcare facilities. They’re responsible for ensuring overall operations. (Ex: Medical transcriptionists, medical billers, and medical coders.)
• Rehabilitation: Allied health professionals specialized in rehabilitation are responsible for restoring an individual’s physical, mental, or emotional capabilities. (Ex: Occupational therapists, and psychologists.)
• Diagnostics: Diagnostic allied health professionals are technicians trained on specific medical equipment to assess and identify health conditions through diagnostic tests. (Ex: Radiologists, sonographers, and medical technologists.)
What Can You Do With an Allied Health Degree?
Many entry-level allied health professions only require a high school diploma or GED, as well as the completion of an accredited certification program.
Phlebotomists, EMTs, and CNAs, to name a few, are examples of highly accessible roles that are critical to the healthcare ecosystem. Once employed by a hospital in one of these roles, many people choose to advance their career through further education (often with financial support from their employer).
Many vocations may require specific (or additional) degrees, coursework, certifications, and/or licensure to practice professionally. Students who know which healthcare career path to pursue early on might consider an accredited program tailored to the profession to save time.
Graduates are prepared to work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals in assisting roles, supervisory or management roles, dietary support, and rehabilitation support.
10 Rising Allied Health Professions
The demand for allied health professions is driven by an increasingly aging population, advancements in medical technology, and a growing emphasis on preventative care. Based on On Board Virginia’s comprehensive job board, the 10 rising allied health professions are:
1 Surgical Technologist
2. Radiologic Technician
3. Health Unit Coordinator
4. Medical Coder
5. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
6. EMT
7. Paramedic
8. Occupational therapist
9. Speech-Language Pathologist
10. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Please note that salary estimates vary by education, location, and cost of living. For a comprehensive list of all allied health professions, visit the National Society of Allied Health (NSAH).
1. Surgical Technologist (Surgical Tech)
A surgical technologist assists surgeons in the operating room by preparing the equipment, preparing and transporting the patient, passing tools to the surgeon and surgeon assistant during the procedure, disposing of used supplies, and more. This supportive role ensures that surgeries proceed in an organized and sterile manner.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $60,000 per year
• Education Requirements: High school diploma or GED required and completion of an accredited surgical technologist program
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Certification by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and state licensure
2. Radiologic Technician (Rad Tech)
A radiologic technician uses X-ray equipment to perform diagnostic imaging exams. Radiologists and other medical staff use the images to analyze and diagnose medical conditions. Rad techs can advance their careers through additional training in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI), interventional radiology (IR), and other radiology specialties.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $67,000 per year
• Education Requirements: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and a state license. Additional certifications are available for specific radiology specialties.
3. Health Unit Coordinator (HUC)
A health unit coordinator manages administrative tasks in healthcare settings, such as patient admissions, medical records, and communication between healthcare providers. Although they are patient-facing, health unit coordinators predominately work with back-office processes to facilitate operations.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $36,000 per year
• Education Requirements: High school diploma or GED with relevant customer service or administrative experience in a medical setting preferred. Candidates can also get an associate’s degree or certification to familiarize themselves with medical terminology.
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Candidates can obtain certification as a Health Unit Coordinator (CHUC) by passing the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC) exam. Certification is optional but preferred.
4. Medical Coder
Job Description: Translate healthcare services and procedures into standardized codes for billing and insurance purposes.
A medical coder transcribes medical records, such as patient information and physician notes, into universal alphanumeric codes. The resulting code is used for insurance, billing, and research purposes. As such, medical coders must adhere to strict medical coding guidelines, auditing information to ensure accuracy and reduce information gaps.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $55,000 per year
• Education Requirements: High school diploma or GED required, though some employers prefer a certificate or associate’s degree in medical coding or health information management
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers several certificates to demonstrate proficiency in specific codes and medical specialties. Coders can also obtain certification from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
5. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
A diagnostic medical sonographer uses imaging and ultrasound equipment to visualize a patient’s internal organs. They’re responsible for interpreting and summarizing the images to report results, working with physicians to help diagnose medical conditions.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $84,000 per year
• Education Requirements: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography OR an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in health sciences and completion of a certificate program in diagnostic medical sonography from an accredited program
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
6. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
An EMT is a first responder who provides basic medical intervention in emergencies using medical equipment typically found in ambulances. They’re responsible for stabilizing injured patients and transporting them safely to an emergency room.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $38,000 per year
• Education Requirements: High school diploma or GED and the completion of an Advanced EMT training program
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: State licensure and certification by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)
7. Paramedic
Like an EMT, a paramedic plays an integral role in emergency medical services. Paramedics are first responders trained to administer advanced life support on site using medical equipment. They undergo more specific training than EMTs, which allows them to perform a wider range of emergency treatments. Paramedics can work on ambulatory transportation, including ambulances, helicopters, and more.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $50,000 per year
• Education Requirements: After becoming a certified EMT, earn a paramedic associate of applied science degree from an accredited program, including 1,200–1,800 training hours.
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: State licensure and certification by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) – Paramedic Level
8. Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
A speech-language pathologist (also known as a speech therapist) is an allied health professional who assesses, diagnoses, and treats disorders related to speech and language. That ranges from how someone articulates sounds and fluency to their language comprehension and social communication. Speech-language pathologists also help patients with feeding and swallowing issues.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $92,000 per year
• Education Requirements: Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institution, including a 400-hour clinical practicum
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Pass the SLP exam and complete a clinical fellowship program totaling 1,260 hours under a supervising SLP. Obtain state licensure and Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).
9. Occupational Therapist (OT)
An occupational therapist helps patients overcome physical, mental, and social challenges that prevent them from functioning in their day-to-day lives. Patients typically see occupational therapists if they’re recovering from a physical injury or live with a chronic debilitating condition. While occupational therapists and physical therapists both facilitate patient rehabilitation, OTs may also focus on mental blocks.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $90,000 per year
• Education Requirements: Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from an accredited program
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become certified before obtaining state licensure.
10. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
A registered dietitian nutritionist plans and oversees food service programs to support patient health and recovery. In addition to creating nutritious meal plans, dietitians promote healthy eating habits, treat eating disorders, and manage nutritional needs in clinical settings.
• Average Salary in Virginia: $65,000 per year
• Education Requirements: Master’s degree in dietetics from an accredited program
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Complete a 1,200-hour supervised dietetic internship before taking the CDR exam required to practice
Explore Careers in Allied Health in Virginia
With diverse roles and growth opportunities, building a career in allied health can help pave the way toward a rewarding profession. Many entry-level allied health careers are accessible and can evolve as you gain experience and additional education.
Discover more about On Board Virginia’s healthcare programs to see if healthcare is the right path for you!
