Health Professions and Related Programs
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
Colleges award this field under 15 named programs, from Medical/Clinical Assistant to Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 15 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Medical/Clinical Assistant
- Prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to provide medical office administrative services and perform clinical duties including patient intake and care, routine diagnostic and recording procedures, pre-examination and examination assistance, and the administration of medications and first aid. Covers basic anatomy and physiology; medical terminology; medical law and ethics; patient psychology and communications; medical office procedures; and clinical diagnostic, examination, testing, and treatment procedures.
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians or laboratory scientists or technologists, to perform waived testing procedures (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988), phlebotomy, and other duties in support of laboratory teams. Covers clinical procedures, various laboratory tests, laboratory mathematics, computer technology, equipment operation and maintenance, sterilization and safety, communications skills, and interpersonal skills.
- Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Prepares individuals, under the supervision of occupational therapists, to direct patient participation in skill-enhancing, learning, and motivational tasks; correct or diminish pathologies; and to provide direct health education and promotion services. Covers human life span development, occupational therapy principles and practice skills, treatment planning and implementation, record-keeping and documentation, patient education and intervention, activity and program direction, and assistive services management.
- Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
- Prepares individuals, under the supervision of pharmacists, to prepare medications, provide medications and related assistance to patients, and manage pharmacy clinical and business operations. Covers medical and pharmaceutical terminology, principles of pharmacology and pharmaceutics, drug identification, pharmacy laboratory procedures, prescription interpretation, patient communication and education, safety procedures, record-keeping, measurement and testing techniques, pharmacy business operations, prescription preparation, logistics and dispensing operations, and applicable standards and regulations.
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Prepares individuals, under the supervision of a physical therapist, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, and observe and record patient progress. Covers applied anatomy and physiology, behavioral sciences, biomechanics, clinical documentation, clinical pathology, communication, exercise physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, and professional standards and ethics.
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant
- Moved from 51.0808 to 01.8301
- Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Prepares you to assist anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in developing and implementing patient anesthesia care plans, including preoperative, surgical theater, recovery room, and postoperative/intensive care procedures. Covers patient data collection, catheter insertion, airway management and drug administration, assisting the administration and monitoring of regional and peripheral nerve blockades, support therapy, adjusting anesthetic levels during surgery, interoperative monitoring, postoperative procedures, pain clinics and patient education, and administrative tasks.
- Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)
- Prepares you to assist licensed EMTs, under the supervision of a physician, to prepare and transport ill or injured patients, and to operate emergency vehicles and equipment such as life support units. Covers first aid and emergency medicine field techniques, patient stabilization and care, medical field communications, equipment operation and maintenance, emergency vehicle operation, and applicable standards and regulations.
- Pathology/Pathologist Assistant
- Prepares individuals, under the supervision of pathologists, to assist in the performance of autopsies, obtaining and preparing surgical specimens, preparing autopsy reports, and interacting with other clinicians, officials, and individuals. Covers anatomy; physiology; medical terminology; general, systemic, forensic, and pediatric pathology; autopsy procedures; surgical technique; medical photography; tissue preparation; record keeping and laboratory administration; interpersonal skills; and applicable standards and regulations.
- Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant
- Prepares you to administer general respiratory care procedures under the supervision of respiratory therapists in a variety of clinical settings. Covers patient data collection and monitoring, airway management, installation of nebulizers and other respiratory assistance devices, application and monitoring of breathing gases, equipment operation and maintenance, safety and sanitation procedures, and applicable regulations.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Growing fast
Medical Assistants
- Median pay
- $45,690
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.9%
- Job openings a year
- 109,700
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing fastHealth Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $107,310
- Hiring change through 2035
- 17.9%
- Job openings a year
- 24,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyHealthcare Support Workers, All Other
- Median pay
- $48,430
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.8%
- Job openings a year
- 14,100
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingPharmacy Technicians
- Median pay
- $45,750
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.4%
- Job openings a year
- 44,700
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingHealth Technologists and Technicians, All Other
- Median pay
- $50,290
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.9%
- Job openings a year
- 12,400
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing fastPhysical Therapist Assistants
- Median pay
- $68,380
- Hiring change through 2035
- 23.0%
- Job openings a year
- 18,500
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career Growing fastOccupational Therapy Assistants
- Median pay
- $72,300
- Hiring change through 2035
- 21.5%
- Job openings a year
- 8,100
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career GrowingSurgical Technologists
- Median pay
- $64,650
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.0%
- Job openings a year
- 7,100
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career ShrinkingAmbulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
- Median pay
- $35,450
- Hiring change through 2035
- −1.3%
- Job openings a year
- 1,400
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
79%of related openings involve substantial in-person or active work
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 79 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.
| College | Degrees a year | Admit rate | Average annual cost after aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University-Main Campus OH | 436 | 51% | $10,000 |
| University of Connecticut CT | 199 | 54% | $21,000 |
| Nova Southeastern University FL | 34 | 73% | $30,000 |
| St. Joseph's University-New York NY | 25 | 71% | $17,000 |
| Cedarville University OH | 25 | 63% | $20,000 |
| Widener University PA | 4 | 84% | $23,000 |
| University of Connecticut-Stamford CT | 1 | 80% | $16,000 |