Allied Health Professionals

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) make up the third largest clinical workforce in the NHS. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, patients’ homes and in the community, and play a key role in improving the health and wellbeing of patients.

There are many different roles within the Allied Health Professions:

• Art Therapist
• Diagnostic Radiographer
• Dietician
• Drama Therapist
• Music Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Operating Department Practitioner
• Orthoptist
• Osteopath
• Paramedic
• Physiotherapist
• Podiatrist
• Prosthetist/Orthotist
• Speech and Language Therapist
• Therapeutic Radiographer

Routes into AHP careers:

Allied Health Professionals are registered healthcare professionals so a relevant degree is required to qualify as one.

However, there are degree apprenticeships available which enable you to combine study and paid work.

Visit the HealthCareers website for more information on studying to become an AHP.

There are also support roles available within the Allied Health Professions if you are not interested in studying toward registration.

For more information about the Allied Health Professions, take a look at these websites:

• HealthCareers – AHPs
• NHS – The 14 allied health professions
• HEE – Allied Health Professions
• HEE – Experience a day in the life of an AHP using virtual reality
• HEE – AHPs, a universe of opportunities
• Prospects – 7 healthcare careers to consider