Health Careers: Allied Health

The athletic trainer plays a unique and important role in the health care system by preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating sports injuries. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care profession. The athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care workers, athletic administrators, coaches and parents.

Dietetics is the high-tech science of applying food and nutrition to health. One can be either a dietician nutritionist (RDN) or a nutrition and dietetic technician (NDTR).

Occupational therapy uses everyday activities as the means of helping people to achieve independence. This site from the American Occupational Therapy Association gives an overview of the work, education required and employment opportunities.

The American Physical Therapy Association gives details about the wide-ranging work done by physical therapists and physical therapy assistants.