School Producing Valuable Allies for Patients

Allied health sciences careers like occupational therapy are some of the fastest-growing fields in the nation.

Allied health sciences careers like occupational therapy are some of the fastest-growing fields in the nation.

The School of Allied Health Sciences has received record numbers of applications for various programs in Amarillo, Lubbock and the Permian Basin. To date, projected enrollment is expected to exceed 1,250 for the fall 2011 semester.

In addition to the school’s record-breaking enrollment, allied health sciences students in speech-language pathology, clinical laboratory sciences, athletic training and physician assistant studies have surpassed national averages on key licensure and certification exams.

Nationally, allied health sciences careers are gaining popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., eight of them are in health care many of them falling under allied health sciences.

Allied health sciences professionals make up an estimated 60 percent of America’s total health workforce. According to the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, allied health sciences professionals are involved with the delivery of health or related services pertaining to the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases and disorders; dietary and nutrition services; rehabilitation and health systems management; and others.

While all allied health sciences fields anticipate growth in the coming years as the elderly population continues to increase, the fastest-growing allied health sciences careers include physician assistants, physical therapists, athletic trainers and clinical laboratory technologists.

Related

Back to School? Don't Forget Your Child's Health

Beyond Aphasia: Understanding an Unknown Disorder

Hearing Voices

Related Stories

How Does Your Garden Grow?

As spring approaches, some people’s thoughts turn to gardening. Whether it’s a flower garden they desire or a vegetable garden want to have, they begin planning what they’ll plant and what they need to do to ensure a successful garden.

Adopt a Growth Mindset for a Better Life

A “growth mindset” accepts that our intelligence and talents can develop over time, and a person with that mindset understands that intelligence and talents can improve through effort and learning.

Drug Use, Family History Can Lead to Heart Disease in Younger Adults

Abstaining from drug abuse and an early diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) can help prevent heart disease.

Recent Stories

Health

Texas Tech Physicians Multispecialty Clinic to Open in South Lubbock

The Texas Tech Physicians Multispecialty Clinic will be home to eight clinical services including cardiology, endocrinology, family medicine, internal medicine, orthopaedics (sports medicine), psychiatry, surgery and urology.

Education

TTUHSC Pioneers New Pathway for Pharmacy Education

The TTUHSC Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy is positioning itself for the future with the announcement of its new Pioneer Pathway, an innovative educational pathway that will leverage hybrid learning strategies.

Education

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Master of Public Health Program Awarded Seven-Year Accreditation

The MPH program at the TTUHSC Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health has been awarded seven-year accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) through July 1, 2031.