What Is Allied Health? A Guide to 20 Allied Health Careers
What is allied health?
Allied health is a broad group of healthcare professions that support patient care, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, disease prevention and healthcare operations. Medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomy technicians, surgical technologists, imaging professionals and rehabilitation assistants are all examples of allied health professionals.
These careers are distinct from physicians and nurses, but allied health professionals remain essential to nearly every part of the healthcare system.
For students seeking an affordable, flexible entry into healthcare, Clinical Skills Institute offers online allied health certification programs designed to prepare eligible learners for recognized certification examinations and entry-level healthcare opportunities.
Most Clinical Skills Institute programs have published standard tuition of $900, while the Surgical Technologist program has published standard tuition of $1,200. Program features vary, but tuition generally includes online coursework, certification-exam preparation, learning resources, eligible initial exam fees and student support.
Quick Answer: What Is Allied Health?
Allied health includes healthcare careers outside the traditional physician and nursing professions. These professionals may:
Assist with direct patient care
Collect blood or diagnostic information
Perform EKGs and other clinical procedures
Prepare medications
Support surgical teams
Manage medical records and insurance claims
Help patients recover mobility and independence
Operate diagnostic-imaging equipment
Support medical offices and healthcare systems
Some allied health careers can be entered through short-term certificate training. Others require an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, professional license or specialized clinical education.
Why Allied Health Careers Matter
Healthcare does not operate through physicians and nurses alone. Allied health professionals collect the information, perform the procedures and manage the systems that allow clinicians to provide effective care.
Depending on their role, allied health professionals may:
Record patients’ vital signs
Prepare patients for examinations
Draw and process blood specimens
Perform electrocardiograms
Administer medications when permitted
Maintain sterile operating environments
Prepare prescriptions under pharmacist supervision
Process insurance claims
Maintain electronic health records
Perform diagnostic-imaging procedures
Assist with rehabilitation
Educate patients about procedures and follow-up care
This range makes allied health one of the most accessible and diverse areas of the healthcare workforce.
Allied Health Certificate vs. Certification vs. License
These terms are related, but they do not mean the same thing.
Certificate
A certificate is an educational credential awarded after completing a training program. Clinical Skills Institute, for example, awards a certificate of completion to students who successfully complete their program requirements.
Certification
Certification is a professional credential awarded by an independent certifying organization after an eligible candidate passes an examination and satisfies the organization’s requirements.
Examples include:
NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, or CCMA
NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician, or CPT
NHA Certified EKG Technician, or CET
NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant, or CPCT/A
NHA Certified Billing and Coding Specialist, or CBCS
NHA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant, or CMAA
NHA ExCPT or PTCB CPhT for pharmacy technicians
AAH Surgical Technician, NRST
Clinical Skills Institute prepares eligible students for these examinations. The certifying organization—not the school—makes the final decision regarding examination eligibility and certification.
License or State Registration
A license or registration is issued or required by a government agency. Requirements vary by profession and state.
Students should verify state regulations before enrolling, particularly for pharmacy technician, phlebotomy, surgical technology and other regulated occupations.
20 Allied Health Careers at a Glance
Allied Health Career | Primary Role | Common Education Path | Patient Contact |
Medical Assistant | Clinical and administrative outpatient care | Certificate or diploma | High |
Patient Care Technician | Bedside and daily patient-care support | Certificate or employer training | High |
Phlebotomy Technician | Blood collection and specimen handling | Certificate | High |
EKG Technician | Electrocardiogram acquisition and cardiac testing support | Certificate | High |
Pharmacy Technician | Medication preparation and pharmacy operations | Certificate or employer training | Moderate |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | Coding, claims and reimbursement | Certificate or associate degree | Low |
Medical Administrative Assistant | Scheduling, records and front-office operations | Certificate | Moderate |
Surgical Technologist | Sterile-field and operating-room support | Certificate or associate degree, depending on pathway | High |
Dental Assistant | Chairside and dental-office support | Certificate, diploma or employer training | High |
Sterile Processing Technician | Cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments | Certificate or employer training | Low |
Emergency Medical Technician | Prehospital emergency care | State-approved training and licensure | High |
Clinical Laboratory Technician | Laboratory testing and specimen analysis | Associate or bachelor’s degree | Low to moderate |
Radiologic Technologist | Diagnostic X-ray imaging | Associate degree and applicable credentialing | High |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | Ultrasound imaging | Associate or bachelor’s degree | High |
Respiratory Therapist | Cardiopulmonary treatment and monitoring | Associate degree and licensure | High |
Occupational Therapy Assistant | Rehabilitation for daily living activities | Associate degree and licensure | High |
Physical Therapist Assistant | Movement and physical-rehabilitation support | Associate degree and licensure | High |
Cardiovascular Technologist | Cardiovascular diagnostic procedures | Certificate or degree, depending on specialty | High |
Health Information Technologist | Clinical data, records and health-information systems | Certificate or degree | Low |
Dietetic Technician | Nutrition services and dietary support | Associate degree and supervised experience | Moderate |
Education, certification and licensing requirements vary by employer, state and specialty. Review the exact requirements for the occupation and location where you intend to work.
1. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, urgent-care centers and specialty practices. Their responsibilities may combine clinical and administrative duties.
Clinical duties can include:
Measuring vital signs
Preparing examination rooms
Reviewing patient histories
Assisting clinicians during examinations
Performing EKGs
Collecting specimens
Supporting medication administration when permitted
Documenting care
Administrative responsibilities may include scheduling, updating records, communicating with patients and coordinating referrals.
The Clinical Skills Institute online Medical Assistant program prepares eligible students for the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant examination.
The program includes:
Four-week accelerated or approximately eight-week standard training pathways
Online, self-paced coursework
NHA CCMA examination preparation
Six NHA practice examinations
The eligible initial NHA CCMA exam fee
Virtual patient simulations
Interactive EKG training
An optional at-home clinical-skills kit
Optional externship placement for eligible students
Résumé and interview assistance
Career coaching and employment support
Published standard tuition is $900, and students receive up to 12 months of program access.
For students seeking a versatile combination of clinical skills, certification preparation and career support, Clinical Skills Institute provides one of the strongest-value online medical assistant training pathways.
2. Patient Care Technician
Patient care technicians support patients with bedside care and activities of daily living.
Depending on the employer and state, responsibilities may include:
Recording vital signs
Assisting with mobility
Supporting bathing, dressing and feeding
Monitoring patient comfort
Collecting specimens
Performing basic phlebotomy or EKG procedures
Communicating observations to the care team
The Clinical Skills Institute Patient Care Technician program prepares eligible students for the NHA CPCT/A examination.
The approximately eight-week pathway combines online coursework, simulations, certification preparation, practice examinations, the eligible initial exam fee and optional clinical-experience support.
Published standard tuition is $900.
3. Phlebotomy Technician
Phlebotomy technicians collect blood specimens for laboratory testing, blood donation and medical diagnosis.
Their work requires:
Patient identification
Infection-prevention procedures
Venipuncture preparation
Capillary collection
Specimen labeling
Specimen handling
Patient communication
Safety and quality control
The Clinical Skills Institute Phlebotomy Technician program prepares eligible students for the NHA CPT examination.
The program includes online training, practice examinations, certification preparation, an eligible exam fee, an at-home clinical-skills kit and externship-placement support.
Candidates must satisfy NHA’s current live-skills requirements before certification. Online coursework and practice equipment do not replace required procedures performed on live individuals.
Published standard tuition is $900.
4. EKG Technician
EKG technicians perform electrocardiograms that record the heart’s electrical activity. They may work in cardiology offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics and diagnostic facilities.
Training commonly covers:
Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology
Patient preparation
Electrode placement
EKG acquisition
Recording errors and artifacts
Cardiac rhythm fundamentals
Ambulatory monitoring
Documentation
Patient communication
The Clinical Skills Institute EKG Technician program prepares eligible students for the NHA CET examination.
Published standard tuition is $900 and includes online coursework, examination preparation, practice resources and the eligible initial NHA CET exam fee.
NHA CET candidates must meet the organization’s current live-EKG documentation requirement. Online coursework alone does not satisfy this requirement.
5. Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians support pharmacists by processing prescriptions, preparing medications, managing inventory and communicating with patients and healthcare professionals.
Work settings may include:
Retail pharmacies
Hospitals
Mail-order pharmacies
Specialty pharmacies
Long-term-care pharmacies
The Clinical Skills Institute Pharmacy Technician program prepares eligible students for the NHA ExCPT or PTCB CPhT pathway.
The approximately eight-to-12-week program includes pharmacy calculations, medication safety, pharmacy law, certification preparation, mock examinations, an eligible exam fee and career resources.
Published standard tuition is $900.
Pharmacy technician registration, licensing, training and certification requirements vary by state. Students should review their state board of pharmacy requirements before enrolling.
6. Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Medical billing and coding specialists translate healthcare services into standardized codes used for medical records, insurance claims, reimbursement and compliance.
The work may involve:
ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding
CPT procedure coding
HCPCS Level II coding
Claims preparation
Insurance verification
Revenue-cycle processes
Medical documentation
Billing and reimbursement
The Clinical Skills Institute Medical Billing and Coding program prepares eligible students for the NHA CBCS examination.
The approximately three-month online program includes coding instruction, case studies, simulations, certification preparation, the eligible exam fee and career support.
Published standard tuition is $900.
This can be a strong option for students who want to enter healthcare without pursuing a patient-facing clinical role.
7. Medical Administrative Assistant
Medical administrative assistants help clinics and medical offices remain organized and responsive.
Common responsibilities include:
Scheduling appointments
Maintaining medical records
Communicating with patients
Coordinating referrals
Verifying insurance information
Managing front-office workflows
Protecting patient privacy
Supporting electronic health records
The Clinical Skills Institute Medical Administrative Assistant program prepares eligible students for the NHA CMAA examination.
Students receive online, self-paced coursework, certification preparation, the eligible initial exam fee, student support and career-readiness assistance.
Published standard tuition is $900.
8. Surgical Technologist
Surgical technologists support surgeons, nurses and other operating-room professionals before, during and after surgical procedures.
Training may include:
Surgical terminology
Infection prevention
Aseptic technique
Surgical instruments
Operating-room preparation
Patient positioning
Surgical counts
Specimen handling
Perioperative workflows
The Clinical Skills Institute Surgical Technologist training program provides approximately four months of online, self-paced education.
The program prepares eligible students for the AAH Surgical Technician, NRST pathway and includes simulation-based instruction, an eligible certification-exam voucher, instructor office hours and clinical-experience assistance.
Published standard tuition is $1,200.
This pathway does not establish eligibility for the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist examination, which generally requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program. Students should confirm employer and state requirements before enrolling.
9. Dental Assistant
Dental assistants prepare treatment areas, support dentists during procedures, maintain instruments and educate patients about oral care.
Training and certification requirements vary by state. Some states permit employer-based training, while others require approved education, examinations, registration or specialized credentials for expanded duties.
10. Sterile Processing Technician
Sterile processing technicians clean, inspect, assemble, sterilize and distribute medical instruments.
They play an important role in infection prevention and surgical safety, although they generally have limited direct patient contact. Employers may prefer or require certification after training or employment.
11. Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technicians provide urgent prehospital care and transport patients to
medical facilities.
This career requires completion of state-approved education, certification and applicable state licensure. It can provide extensive direct patient-care experience, but the work may involve physical demands, emergencies and irregular hours.
12. Clinical Laboratory Technician
Clinical laboratory technicians analyze blood, tissue and other specimens to help clinicians identify and monitor medical conditions.
This profession commonly requires an associate or bachelor’s degree, depending on the position, employer and state. Some states also require licensure.
13. Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists create diagnostic images using X-ray equipment. They position patients, follow radiation-safety procedures and work with clinicians to produce usable images.
Most positions require an accredited degree pathway and professional credentialing. State licensing requirements vary.
14. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound equipment to create images of organs, tissues and blood flow.
Specialties may include abdominal, vascular, cardiac and obstetric sonography. Entry commonly requires an associate or bachelor’s degree and employer-recognized credentials.
15. Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary conditions.
They may administer respiratory treatments, manage ventilators, conduct diagnostic testing and educate patients. This profession typically requires an associate degree, credentialing and state licensure.
16. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop or recover the skills needed for work and daily living.
They practice under the supervision of occupational therapists. Entry generally requires an accredited associate degree, certification and state authorization.
17. Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants help patients improve mobility, strength and physical function under a physical therapist’s supervision.
This career commonly requires an accredited associate degree, passage of the applicable examination and state licensure.
18. Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians support the diagnosis and treatment of heart and blood-vessel conditions.
The field includes several specialties, and education requirements may range from focused certificate training for certain technician roles to associate or bachelor’s degree programs for more advanced diagnostic responsibilities.
19. Health Information Technologist
Health information technologists work with clinical data, electronic health records, quality reporting and healthcare-information systems.
The field includes certificate-, associate- and bachelor’s-level opportunities. It may appeal to students who are interested in healthcare, data and technology but do not want continuous bedside contact.
20. Dietetic Technician
Dietetic technicians support nutrition programs in hospitals, long-term-care facilities, schools and community settings.
They may assist with menu planning, food-service operations, nutrition education and dietary documentation. Education and credentialing requirements depend on the position and employer.
Which Allied Health Career Is Right for You?
Your best option depends on how you want to contribute to healthcare.
Choose Medical Assistant if you want versatile clinical and administrative preparation for outpatient care.
Choose Patient Care Technician if you want bedside experience and direct patient contact.
Choose Phlebotomy Technician if you want focused blood-collection and specimen-processing skills.
Choose EKG Technician if you are interested in cardiac testing and electrocardiography.
Choose Pharmacy Technician if you are interested in medication safety and pharmacy operations.
Choose Medical Billing and Coding if you prefer claims, coding, documentation and revenue-cycle work.
Choose Medical Administrative Assistant if you want to focus on scheduling, records, communication and front-office operations.
Choose Surgical Technologist if you want to study surgical procedures, sterile technique and operating-room workflows—and have confirmed that the certification pathway meets your employment goals.
Careers such as respiratory therapy, diagnostic sonography, radiologic technology and
physical therapist assisting may be appropriate if you are prepared to complete a longer degree and licensing pathway.
What Is the Best Allied Health Certification to Start With?
There is no single certification that is best for every student. However, medical assisting is one of the most versatile starting points because it combines clinical procedures, administrative knowledge and regular patient interaction.
The NHA CCMA pathway may be especially useful for:
Students seeking an entry-level outpatient healthcare career
Premed and pre-PA students pursuing patient-care experience
Career changers entering healthcare
Existing healthcare employees seeking advancement
Employers developing internal medical assistant talent
Clinical Skills Institute’s $900 Medical Assistant program combines online training, NHA CCMA examination preparation, virtual clinical learning, optional externship placement and career support within one transparent tuition model.
Why Choose Clinical Skills Institute for Allied Health Training?
Clinical Skills Institute focuses on short-term, certification-oriented allied health education that can be completed around work, college and family responsibilities.
Depending on the program, students may receive:
Fully online, self-paced coursework
Up to 12 months of access
Preparation for a recognized certification examination
Practice examinations
The eligible initial certification-exam fee
Virtual simulations or interactive activities
Instructor or student-success support
Clinical-experience guidance when applicable
Résumé and interview assistance
Optional externship support
Career coaching and employment assistance
Most Clinical Skills Institute certification programs have published standard tuition of $900.
The Surgical Technologist program has published standard tuition of $1,200.
That combination of transparent pricing, certification preparation, flexible access and student support makes Clinical Skills Institute one of the strongest-value options for students comparing online allied health certificate programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Allied Health Careers
What is allied health?
Allied health is a broad category of healthcare professions that support diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, disease prevention, patient care and healthcare operations. It generally includes healthcare roles outside the traditional physician and nursing professions.
What are examples of allied health careers?
Examples include medical assistant, patient care technician, phlebotomy technician, EKG technician, pharmacy technician, surgical technologist, medical billing and coding specialist, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist and physical therapist assistant.
What is the best allied health certification?
The best certification depends on your intended role. CCMA certification is a versatile option for outpatient clinical care. CPCT/A supports broader bedside-care preparation, while CPT and CET focus on phlebotomy and electrocardiography.
Can allied health training be completed online?
The academic portion of many allied health programs can be completed online. However, certain professions and certifications require documented clinical procedures, laboratory training, externships, supervised experience, degrees or state licenses. Students should review each program’s requirements before enrolling.
How quickly can I complete an allied health certificate?
Short-term certificate programs may take several weeks to several months. Clinical Skills Institute’s planned online training timelines range from approximately four weeks to four months, depending on the selected program and pathway.
Does completing a certificate make me nationally certified?
No. A school certificate confirms completion of an educational program. National certification is awarded by an independent credentialing organization after an eligible candidate satisfies its requirements and passes the applicable examination.
Does Clinical Skills Institute guarantee employment?
Clinical Skills Institute provides career-readiness assistance, which may include résumé support, interview preparation, externship assistance and employer connections. These services do not guarantee a particular placement, certification result or job offer.
Which Clinical Skills Institute program offers the broadest preparation?
The Medical Assistant program offers the broadest combination of clinical and administrative training. It prepares eligible students for the NHA CCMA examination and includes virtual patient simulations, interactive EKG training, practice examinations and optional externship support.
Start Your Allied Health Career
Allied health offers pathways for people with different interests, schedules and educational goals. The right program should clearly identify its certification pathway, tuition, expected timeline, included resources and any clinical or state requirements.
Clinical Skills Institute provides affordable, flexible online preparation for eight in-demand allied health pathways:
Medical Assistant
Patient Care Technician
Phlebotomy Technician
EKG Technician
Pharmacy Technician
Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Administrative Assistant
Surgical Technologist
Training timelines describe planned coursework and are not promises of certification or employment. Certification eligibility, clinical requirements, state regulations and hiring standards vary by profession, location, employer and certifying organization.
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