Allied Health Sciences is a medical stream that screens, diagnoses, and offers technical and support services to patients. Some of their activities include :
Health Consultancy
Dietary advice
Health counselling
Therapy
Assimilation, sampling, and collection (for instance, blood sampling)
Healthcare management and rehabilitation
Operating health systems and taking readings (Sonographies, X-rays, CT Scans, MRIs)
Some of the diagnostic techniques used by Allied Health practitioners are :
Pathological analysis
Blood analysis
Radiography
Histopathology
Allied Health practitioners move on to work in some of the following fields :
Nursing
Dentistry
Optometry
Physiotherapy
Paramedic
Athletic Trainer
Anesthesia Technician
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Technology has been the driving factor behind advancing the healthcare industry for the last few decades. Earlier positions of technologists and paramedical practitioners were not considered as respectable as the positions of nurses or physicians. However, the current scenario offers students a diverse set of degree courses to propel their careers forward in Allied Health Sciences.
A sizable demand for laboratory tests, OT technologists, and surgical assistants has made degree courses available in these fields and more.
Some of the degrees that students of Allied Health Sciences can opt for are :
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Master of Science (M.Sc)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)
In this course, students are trained to assist doctors, care for patients, and efficiently manage hospital tasks. Students studying this course have the career prospects of working as auxiliary nurses, general nurses, graduate nurses, or a midwife.
Dentistry
This field of medicine deals with an individual’s mouth with its main focus being an individual’s gums and teeth. It deals with the study, identification, treatment, management, and prevention of oral issues. Job positions in this field include those of Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists, and denturist/clinical dental technicians.
Anaesthesia Technology
Anesthesia technologists are largely in demand during operations and surgical procedures. A specialisation in the subject offers candidates a hands-on knowledge of anesthetic techniques used in operation theatres. It teaches candidates how to operate anaesthetic instruments and supplies.
Critical Care
This specialsiation is designed to teach students how to manage critical care equipment, monitor such patients, and observe their readings on health systems. They are also taught how to set up the aforementioned life support equipment. Pre-placement training is given to the students and they work under the mentorship of healthcare professionals.
Emergency Services
This course teaches how to deal with patients requiring immediate medical rehabilitation and attention. It educates the students on the services they need to administer to trauma care patients. This course molds students to become future emergency technicians who are equipped to deal with all types of emergency patients across all age categories.
Microbiology
This is one of the most demanded paramedical courses among students of Allied Health Sciences. This course is a delight for students who wish to study living organisms. Students are taught immunology, microbial physiology, genetics, biotechnology, bio instrumentation, cell structure, tissue culture, enzyme technology, etc. They are also taught microbial ecology, growth and reproduction, recombination DNA technology, cell biology, biophysics, virology, etc.
Students opting for this course will get the best of both a dietician and nutrition course. Such a course not only aids students opting for it to interpret modern healthcare demands but also allows them to research in the fields of medical, human biosciences, and dietary needs.
Neuro-Physiology Technology
Students are opting for this field to study neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and neurophysiology. Additionally, they learn clinical practices in OPD, EEG, EMD, neuro-electrophysiology, neuro-biochemistry, sleep studying, intra-operative neuro monitoring, etc.
Medical Laboratory Technology
This paramedical subject offers students knowledge in the field of healthcare problems and teaches them how to diagnose and treat such issues. Students learn how to collect, sample, and document important data related to a patient’s health. Additionally, they learn subjects such as microbiology, biochemistry, research and biostatistics, pathology, environment science and health, computer applications, and physiology.
Renal Dialysis
In this specialisation, students under the mentorship of a nurse or physician learn how to tend to patients with renal failure. They are taught methods such as hemodialysis to treat renal patients. This curriculum teaches students cardiac and respiratory care technology, dialysis, and imaging sciences technology among other papers.
Optometry
This medical discipline specialises in eye treatment and bettering the vision of patients. Students who remain intrigued with the workings of the human eye can always opt for this course. Students are taught refraction, mechanical optics, physical and geometrical optics, community ophthalmology and eye bank, ophthalmic instruments and appliances, ocular disease, environment and ecology, and visual optics among other papers.
Radio-Imaging Technology
This medical specialisation teaches students how to develop photographs of the human body and interpret them for healthcare purposes. This course offers a good working prospect to the student as there is a shortage of skilled radiology practitioners nowadays. CT Scan, MRI Scan, PET, CAT, and X-ray scan technicians are some of the career prospects available to people taking this course.
Operation Theater Technology
Students are taught the workings of operation theatre technology along with clerical work and administering timely checkups. They also learn operation theatre workings such as disinfection and sterilization.
Cardiac Care Technology
Students of this course learn how to diagnose heart diseases. They obtain theoretical and practical knowledge of emergency procedures and the cardiovascular system at large. Students of cardiac care technology learn blood banking, haematology, biochemistry, human anatomy, and physiology.
ECG
This course teaches candidates how to take readings and test an individual’s cardiovascular performance. Candidates learn how to study ECG waveform, interpretation, and recognition of cardiac rhythms. Additionally, they learn how to diagnose any abnormalities using ECG patterns.
Some of the other specialisations are :
Blood Bank Technology
Blood Transfusion Technician
Bronchoscopy Technician
C.T. Scan Technician
Care and Welfare
Cath-Lab Technician
Diabetic Care Technology
Electrophysiology and Pulmonology Technology
Emergency and Trauma Care Technology
Emergency Medical Technology
Medical Instrument
Medical Instrumentation and Clinical Care Technology
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Medical Record Sciences
Medical Record Technology
Medical Technology
Medical Technology (Dialysis Therapy Technology)
Trauma Care Management
Urology Technology
Wound Care and Dressings
X-Ray Technician
Paramedical
Candidates who wish to apply for this stream need to have a science background.
Some specialisations of this stream will require the student to have biology as a mandatory subject.
+2 results are given importance in this stream as the candidate’s entry to this stream is subject to their board percentage. Students who have good grades in biology will be preferred over other candidates as a lot of specialisations in Allied Health Sciences have biology as a mandatory subject.
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Most Allied Health Sciences institutes demand 50% or above for admission into courses.
Some institutes along with evaluating +2 results also conduct admission tests for entrance into their institute.
Additionally, some institutes prefer that candidates take proficiency tests such as GRE, SAT, IELTS, ACT, and TOEFL.
Students are required to possess critical thinking abilities.
They are expected to execute data evaluation and master decision-making skills.
Students are expected to endure long working hours in their careers and have good stamina while working. They should have the mindset to work through challenging situations.
The following are some of the most demanded courses in the field of Allied Health Sciences:
Bachelor of Optometry
B.Sc Radio-Imaging Technology
B.Sc Operation Theatre Technology
B.Sc Cardiac Care Technology
B.Sc Nutrition and Dietetics
B.Sc Neurophysiology Technology
B.Sc Medical Laboratory Technology
B.Sc Renal Dialysis
B.Sc Nursing
The estimated course fee for Allied Health Sciences is 50,000 to 80,000 INR per annum. Please bear in mind that this sum will differ from institute to institute.
Here is a list of scholarships that Allied Health Science Students can opt to work:
Nationwide Education and Scholarship Test (NEST Senior)
Vijayalakshmi R.L. Jalappa Scholarship
Vahani Scholarship
HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship
Padala Charitable Trust Scholarship
All India Pre-medical Scholarship Test
Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship
SHDF Scholarships
L’Oréal India Scholarship
Sahu Jain Trust Loan Scholarship
Bharati Scheme for Education (BSE), Andhra Pradesh
Dr. Shamanur Shivashankarappa Janakalyana Trust’s Scholarship Program
Nilam Patel Bahushrut Foundation Scholarship
Combined Counselling Board Scholarship (CCB)
International Medical Scholarship Eligibility Test (IM-SET)
All India Youth Scholarship Entrance Examination (AIYSEE)
Swami Dayanand Education Foundation Merit-cum-Means Scholarships
Bigyani Kanya Medha Britti Scholarship (JBNSTS), West Bengal
Santoor Women’s Scholarship
Nirankari Rajmata Scholarship Scheme
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Some of the institutes of Allied Health Sciences provide students with hands-on experience in the form of internships. Such internship opportunities are important for students to explore as this is a field where practical learning is of the utmost importance.
Internship opportunities are available in the field of :
Health economics
Mental health
School child nutrition
Mother, neonatal health, and child healthcare
Tribal health
COVID-19
Nutrition
Pharmaceutical medical health collection and disposal
Child care and protection
School child nutrition
Students of Allied Health Sciences can opt for a Master of Science (M.Sc) in the following specialisations :
Optometry
Nutrition and Dietetics
Radio-Imaging Technology
Operation Theatre Technology
Medical Laboratory Technology
Microbiology
Dentistry
Biotechnology
Cardiovascular Technology
Diabetes Sciences
Clinical Nutrition and Food Sciences
After completing their Master's in their particular specialisations, students of Allied Health Sciences can opt for a Doctoral degree in the following popular fields :
Nutrition and Dietetics
Radio-Imaging and Technology
Microbiology
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The following are some institutes that offer the best courses in Allied Health Sciences for Students Abroad:
1. St. Claire College (Ottawa, Canada)
Certified course in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography
Certified course in Advanced Medical Esthetics Practitioner
2. Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, US)
M.Sc in Physician Assistant
3. Northeastern University (Boston)
M.Sc in Family Nurse Practitioner
4. Algonquin College (Ottawa, Canada)
Certified Course in Digital Health
5. Okanagan College (Vancouver, Canada)
Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Analytics
6. Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology
Certified course in Health Administration and Leadership
7. Arizona State University (Flagstaff, US)
M.Sc in Healthcare Simulation
8. Suffolk University (Springfield, US)
M.Sc in Medical Dosimetry
9. Georgian College (Barrie, Canada)
Certified course in Advanced Care Paramedic
10. Case Western Reserve University (Columbus, US)
M.Sc in Anesthesia
Some of the top recruiting companies for Allied Health Science students are Apollo Hospital, Max, and other top hospitals in India. Students usually find jobs in the fields of nursing, optometry, physiotherapy, pharmacy, etc.
Starting salaries for career professionals in the Allied Health Sciences stream vary from company to company. However, a student who has pursued their studies in the aforementioned field can expect an estimated salary of INR 3.9 LPA.
MBBS and Pharmacy are frequently opted fields by students who are looking for an alternative and similar stream to Allied Health Sciences.
What are some of the best fields in Allied Health Sciences?
The top fields for Allied Health Science practitioners are:
Physician Assistant
Medical Assistant
Ultrasound Assistant
Occupational technician
Health information technician
Respiratory Therapist
Laboratory technologist
Which Allied Health Course has the highest salary?
Allied health professionals such as sonographers, nutritionists, optometric assistants and technicians, medical radiation therapists, dieticians, and exercise physiologists, all bag six-figure salaries.
What is the scope of Allied Health Sciences?
Studying Allied Health Sciences gives students opportunities to work as Nurses, Medical researchers, Physiotherapists, Medical officers, and Medical science liaisons.