Working as an Allied Health Professional

Learn more about the range of jobs available in the health care field, employment prospects in Ontario, and the rewards of a job in health care.

Job Possibilities

If you’re interested in working in the health care field, you’ll find many career options to explore in addition to physician and nurse. There are more than 20 regulated health professions in Ontario – from audiologists to dentists to respiratory therapists  – that offer a wide range of career possibilities. Medical laboratory technologists, for example, perform laboratory investigations on samples to assist with diagnosis, while occupational therapists assist patients whose independence has been compromised to, once again, perform daily activities and roles in the community. 

Evolving Role: Physician Assistant

The physician assistant (PA) is a new role that has been introduced into Ontario’s health care system. The PA works within a patient care team and assists a supervising physician in delivering medical services, such as conducting patient interviews, performing selected tests, and counselling patients on preventative health care. Learn how you can become a PA.

Work Settings
Regulated health professionals can practise in a wide range of settings, providing plenty of flexibility in terms of work environment. Settings include: hospitals, offices, clinics, community care centres, public health units and long-term care facilities.

Learn more about the jobs of allied health professional.

Job Prospects

Job prospects for many allied health professionals in Ontario are excellent. Baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) are beginning to retire and there is a growing demand for professionals in many areas of health care. Search HFOJobs for available positions.

Rewards

• Compensation: Health care professionals earn salaries that are comparable to other skilled professionals with a similar level of education.
• Improving Health: Health care professionals make a real difference in their patients’ lives by helping to improve their health or well being.
• Problem-Solving: Whether it’s a medical laboratory technologist testing samples to determine if a patient has a disease or a massage therapist working on a patient’s shoulder to relieve pain, there is an element of problem- solving in all health professionals’ jobs.
• Continuous Learning: New medical technologies, surgical techniques and medications are always being developed, so allied health professionals are engaged in learning throughout their career to keep their skills and knowledge current.
• Building Relationships: Health care professionals, such as physiotherapists or dietitians, develop a rapport with patients they see regularly. Additionally, health care professionals are increasingly working in interprofessional  teams to deliver better patient care.

Are you interested in becoming a health provider in one of the regulated professions? Learn more about the education you need.