What is an Allied Health Professional?
Allied health professionals (AHPs) are essential healthcare workers who provide a wide range of patient support services and specialized care. While physicians and nurses typically diagnose conditions and direct treatment plans, allied health professionals work alongside them to implement and support those plans.
From imaging and laboratory services to clinical support roles, AHPs play a hands-on role in delivering day-to-day patient care. For example, imaging technologists perform X-rays, MRIs, and/or ultrasounds that help physicians confirm diagnoses, while laboratory professionals analyze blood and tissue samples that inform clinical decisions.
Keep reading to learn more about these professionals, including the benefits of becoming an AHP and how you can start your journey in one of these rewarding roles!
Types of Allied Health Professions
If you’re searching for a new position or looking to start a career as an allied health professional, Gifted offers opportunities across a wide variety of specialties, including:
- Cath Lab Tech: Assists cardiologists by preparing and operating imaging equipment, monitoring patients, and supporting the surgical team.
- CST (Certified Surgical Technologist): Supports surgeons by preparing the operating room, sterilizing instruments, and maintaining a sterile environment to ensure patient safety.
- CT Technologist: Assists with CT scans and creates detailed cross-sectional images as ordered by a physician.
- Echo Tech (Echocardiography Technologist): Uses ultrasound technology to evaluate heart structure and function.
- EMT (Emergency Medical Technician): Provides emergency medical care and transportation to hospitals.
- Endoscopy Tech: Assists with endoscopic procedures by preparing equipment, supporting physicians, and ensuring patient safety.
- Medical Assistant: Supports clinical and administrative tasks such as patient intake, vital signs, documentation, and assisting with exams.
- Medical Technologist: Performs laboratory tests on blood and tissue samples to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
- Monitor Tech: Observes and interprets cardiac rhythms and alerts clinical staff to changes or abnormalities.
- MRI Technologist: Operates MRI equipment to produce detailed images of organs and tissues for diagnostic purposes.
- ORT (Operating Room Technician): Assists surgical teams by preparing the OR, maintaining sterile fields, and supporting procedures.
- Pharmacy Tech: Helps pharmacists prepare and dispense medications while ensuring accuracy and safety.
- Rad Tech (Radiologic Technologist): Performs diagnostic imaging exams such as X-rays to help identify injuries or conditions.
- RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist): Provides respiratory care, including ventilator management and breathing treatments.
- Sterile Processing Tech: Cleans, sterilizes, and prepares surgical instruments.
- Surgical First Assistant: Works directly with surgeons during procedures and assists with suturing, exposure, hemostasis, and other tasks.
- Ultrasound Tech: Uses ultrasound imaging to assess organs, tissues, and pregnancies.
- Other: At Gifted, we continue to expand opportunities in various allied health roles to support healthcare teams around the nation! Explore open roles here.
How to Become an Allied Health Professional
Most allied health jobs require either national certification, a state license, or both, and exact requirements can vary significantly depending on where you want to work and the role you pursue—so it’s always a good idea to check with your Gifted recruiter if you have specific questions.
Below is an overview of common allied health roles available through Gifted Healthcare and the credentials typically required to practice:
Imaging and Radiology AHPs
Allied health professionals in imaging and radiology typically need national certification and, in many cases, state licensure to practice. For example, Radiologic Technologists usually earn credentials through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) by completing an accredited educational program and passing national exams to become certified and registered.
Each state sets its own rules, so you must meet state-specific requirements and apply for a license before you can legally work there. If you need help with this, ask your Gifted recruiter for support—they can guide you through the process!
Similarly, Ultrasound and Sonography Technologists usually need to obtain credentials through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), which involves passing national exams covering both sonography principles and specialty areas such as abdominal or cardiac imaging. In some states, additional licensure may also be required.
Laboratory and Clinical Support AHPs
Allied health professionals in laboratory and clinical support roles typically need national certification to practice, and in some states, licensure may be required. For example:
- Medical Technologists typically need to earn credentials through organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT), which require completing an accredited program and passing national exams.
- Some laboratory support roles, such as Monitor Technicians, often provide on-the-job training, and while certification from recognized professional bodies (like AAB, NHA, or ASCP) is not always required, it’s often preferred.
Because requirements can vary by state and by role, Gifted recruiters are available to guide you through the certification and licensing process and ensure you meet the qualifications needed to practice legally.
Respiratory and Emergency Care AHPs
Allied health professionals in respiratory and emergency care typically need national certification as well as state licensure to practice. For instance, respiratory therapists— like Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs)—must complete accredited programs, pass national exams through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), and obtain state licensure.
EMTs and Paramedics must also complete approved training programs, earn national certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), and obtain the appropriate state license.
Surgical and Procedural Support AHPs
For many surgical and procedural support roles, national certification is often preferred by employers, though it’s not always required. Requirements can vary by role, facility, and state, and some states may also require additional documentation, registration, or licensure to practice legally.
If certification is required—or if you want to strengthen your job prospects—there are several recognized options to consider. For example:
- Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs) can earn credentials by completing the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and passing a national exam. The NBSTSA’s certification standards are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- Surgical First Assistants (SFAs) can earn credentials by completing the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) credential through the NBSTSA, which requires completing an accredited program and passing a national exam. Another option is the Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) credential offered by the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA).
If you’re unsure whether certification is necessary, talk with your Gifted recruiter to confirm role-specific and state requirements and determine the best path forward.
Pharmacy and Other AHP Roles
Allied health professionals in pharmacy and other clinical support roles often need national certification or state registration, depending on the state’s requirements.
For example, Pharmacy Technicians often earn credentials through organizations such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Medical Assistants typically earn national certification through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the NHA.
However, specific state regulations can impact what other requirements are needed to practice. Your Gifted recruiter can help you navigate these requirements and ensure you have the credentials needed for the state and role you’re pursuing!
Traveling Allied Health Professionals
The steps to becoming a traveling allied health professional vary depending on your profession and the facility. In general, most traveling AHP roles require:
- At least 1-2 years of professional experience.
- Recent work experience in your specialty, typically within the last 12 months.
- Current national certification and state licensure for your role, if required.
- Strong references or professional recommendations from previous employers, if applicable but not required.
- Flexibility and adaptability, as traveling assignments involve moving to new facilities and locations.
- Compliance with facility-specific onboarding requirements, such as background checks, drug screenings, and immunizations.
Working as a traveling allied health professional can offer higher pay, flexible scheduling, and the opportunity to explore new locations, while still practicing in your area of expertise.
Explore open AHP jobs available through Gifted Healthcare!
Interview Tips for Allied Health Professionals
It’s completely normal to feel nervous about a potential job interview, regardless of your level of experience. To help you prepare, we’ve created a list of tips to help you ace your next interview for an allied health professional assignment.
- Rely on your Gifted recruiter: Your recruiter is a key resource before, during, and after the interview. They can help you prepare, clarify expectations, and guide you through the next steps—so you never have to navigate the process alone.
- Stay positive throughout the interview: Never use an interview to complain about past jobs, coworkers, or patients. Maintaining a positive, professional tone shows you’re a team player who approaches challenges with optimism and an open mind.
- Prepare and study common interview questions: Take time to review and practice typical healthcare interview questions so your answers feel confident, natural, and conversational. (See the interview question section below).
- Use specific examples from your experience: When discussing your skills, back them up with real-world examples. Clear, concrete stories help interviewers better understand how you’ll contribute to their facility.
- Dress for success: First impressions matter. Whether your interview is in person or virtual, be well-groomed and wear something that makes you feel confident and prepared.
Be courteous and professional: Arrive on time, bring any required paperwork, silence your phone, and minimize distractions. This applies to virtual interviews as well. - Stay engaged and ask thoughtful questions: Interviews are a two-way conversation. Asking questions shows interest, attention to detail, and strong communication skills, which are qualities every healthcare team looks for.
- Refresh your knowledge and, when in doubt, overprepare: If certain clinical skills or concepts feel rusty, review them ahead of time. Preparation can ease nerves and help you show up with confidence!
Common Interview Questions for Allied Health Professionals
No matter what kind of allied health job you’re interviewing for, there are several questions you’re likely to encounter. Studying these questions and preparing answers for them will make you seem confident and knowledgeable.
Practice answering these popular questions until they sound natural and conversational. If your responses seem mechanical, you may seem too calculated.
Here are some common interview questions for healthcare jobs:
- Why did you become an allied health professional? Why do you want this job?
- What is your favorite thing about being in the healthcare industry? What is the most difficult part?
- What tools have you developed to manage stress?
- How do you handle patients who are unhappy with their quality of care?
- If you witnessed a coworker violating facility policies/breaking the law, how would you handle it?
- Do you prefer to work alone, or as part of a team?
It’s also helpful to think about what each question is trying to accomplish. For example:
- General questions about your reasons for choosing your career, what you find difficult about the job, and your professional strengths are attempts to understand your style of care.
- Questions about specific scenarios are attempts to evaluate your sense of ethics and boundaries.
- Questions about your preferred clinical setting are attempts to understand your ability to adapt and collaborate.
Benefits of Being an Allied Health Professional
Some of the primary benefits of becoming an allied health professional include but aren’t limited to:
- Job security and long-term satisfaction: Allied health professionals are consistently in demand. These roles also offer a sense of fulfillment by allowing you to contribute meaningfully to patient care without carrying the full responsibility of diagnosis or treatment decisions.
- Flexibility in how and where you work: From local contracts to travel assignments and varied shift options, you can choose opportunities that align with your lifestyle, personal goals, and career goals. Explore open roles here.
- Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits: Many allied health roles offer strong earning potential, especially for professionals who are willing to travel. Allied health professionals also receive the same benefits Gifted Healthcare offers all nurses including day-one benefits, premium pay, and 24/7 support!
- Clear job growth and advancement opportunities: Allied health careers provide room to grow without starting over. You can continue to earn additional certifications and build your expertise, increasing your value and earning potential over time.
The Gifted Difference: Find Your Next Allied Health Role!
At Gifted Healthcare, we go beyond simply connecting you with jobs—we provide the support and guidance you need to thrive in your allied health career.
When you partner with us, you get:
- Dedicated Access to a Recruiter: Work with a knowledgeable recruiter who understands your specialty, connects you with opportunities that match your career goals and lifestyle, and supports you every step of the way.
- Premier Facility Contracts: Opportunities at top hospitals, clinics, and specialty facilities.
- Competitive Pay Packages: Compensation that reflects your skills.
- Career Flexibility: Choose assignments, locations, and schedules that fit your lifestyle.
- Day One Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage from a national provider.
- Housing & Meal Stipends: Support for traveling assignments to make relocation easier.
- Referral Bonuses: Earn up to $2,000 for each friend you refer to Gifted Healthcare.
- 24/7 Career Support: Access to career support day or night, including holidays.
- Direct Access to Gifted’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO): Guidance and support from leadership.
- Short- and Long-Term Disability: Protection in case of unforeseen events.
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: Added peace of mind on the job.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Connect with a dedicated Gifted recruiter and find your next allied health role today! Apply here.
