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Why You Should Become an Allied Health Technician

Careers That Save Lives

By Alexandria Blan ☽Published 6 years ago 4 min read
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Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash

The allied health professions fall into two categories: technicians and therapists/technologists. Technicians are trained to perform medical procedures. They assist and work under the supervision of technologists, or doctors. Here are some reasons why you should consider becoming an allied health technician.

1. Technicians are vital to the medical workforce.

Technicians preform the vital tasks and tests on patients and in labs in order to assist specialists in diagnosing health issues. The technician serves as the middle man in the healthcare process, providing services that allow for efficient patient care. They are tasked with handling patient files, making accurate information reports, conducting tests, handling a patients' basic concerns, aiding in the diagnosis process, and helping patients make decisions and create plans to aide them in their process to health. Technicians are the gears that make the machine work properly.

2. Technicians are in high demand, making their work relatively easy to find.

All types of technicians are always needed, and in abundance. It is not often that you will come across a healthcare facility that claims they have "Too many nurse technicians," or that they "Just don't need another ultrasonographer." The more hands a facility has, the better they function.

Technicians have the option of working in hospitals, long term care facilities, emergency service settings, doctor's offices, specialized practices, and can interchange their work places.

3. Hours/Pay are decent.

Working hours vary based on setting, but most technicians work 12-hour shifts, three days a week. This is the basic hospital work schedule, but if you work in an office or private practice your hours will differ. Being a technician however does come with the possibility of being on-call during times of emergency or shortage of hands in major situations. You will also most likely work holidays, and other important calendar days including but not limited to: Election Day, Labor Day, and Presidents Day.

The salary for most lab technician positions average $40 — 50k annually, and specialized technicians average between $70 — 90k annually. The room for growth as a technician is constant, and raises can be given based on certifications and credentials earned while working.

4. Technicians usually only need a two year degree and training.

All medical technicians hold a degree of science, either an AS or BS. It is required to enter the schooling/training for whichever program you choose to enter — many schools carry allied health as apart of their core programs, meaning you can do all your degree courses AND program courses in the same institute. Program lengths vary based on course requirements and internship hour requirements, but they commonly range around 22 months (this is after you've received your degree, so that is not included).

Once you've finished your schooling and have graduated from the program, it's time that you take your exam! Upon passing your registration exam and receiving your certificates, it is up to you to stay on top of your education from that moment after. Being a technician implies that you will need to continue/update certification training every few years.

5. The title is impressive.

Being a technician comes with the impressive abbreviation that includes "registered." As a technician you are a registered professional, that's something you earn by passing your registration exam and can never be taken away from you. Titles and statuses aren't everything, but they certainly are something to feel proud of in your career.

6. You'll feel great about who you are and what you do!

It's not just the doctors who save lives. As a technician, you are a very important part of the healthcare system and your services contribute to the overall well being of any patient who comes into your specified care. The technician is the comfort before the awaiting storm, in most cases. You are the trained professional who conducts tests in order for the doctor to properly diagnose, and patients see you as the friendly hand trying to ease their concerns. You are apart of the process that changes people's lives, and even saving them.

About ME

My name is Alexandria Blan, I'm a college student in Southern California. I began the process of becoming a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) in 2018 at my community college- where I also received my Associates of Science. I encourage anyone who doesn't have an idea of what they want to do as a career to consider Allied Health, because that was me before I discovered the amazing work of technicians.

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About the Creator

Alexandria Blan ☽

California⋆ College Student, Pop Culture and Entertainment Enthusiast

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