Allied Health Professionals
Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are the third largest workforce in the NHS, with 14 different occupations ranging from arts therapists to radiographers, from dietitians to speech and language therapists – and many more!
As an AHP you could be working in a range of settings; from being in a hospital or community base, to being in a person’s home. You could be supporting a person’s long-term mental and physical rehabiliation or working in emergency response and diagnosis. Whichever role and setting, you will be making a valuable contribution improving people’s lives and playing a significant role within the whole health and care system.
You will be guided, supported and championed by national and international professional bodies. AHPs are health and care professions council registered and regulated and belong to occupation-specific professional bodies, such as the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, The Association of UK Dietitians and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Career Path
You may be at school or college starting to plan your career or already working and looking for a career change. Here are some resources to help you decide which AHP role is the right career choice for you.
Click on NHS Health Careers for detailed information on AHP careers and roles.
Watch our Careers Workshop: Pathways into Allied Health Professions, run by Sarah Swann, AHP Practice Experience Facilitator at North East London NHS Foundation Trust, who shares insights into progressing a career as an Allied Health Professional:
Hear also from Allied Health Professionals working across North East London about why they think you should consider an AHP career:
Find out more about the different AHP careers and hear from professionals working in these roles:
Find out how you can build a career path that’s right for you; from clinical practice, research, leadership and management, and education:
Click on I See the Difference to find out more about 4 of the AHP roles. There is information about what it’s like to work in, and what you need to study for roles in Orthoptics, Podiatry, Prosthetics & Orthotics, and Therapeutic Radiography.
Click on AHP Careers Toolkit for key resources for recruiters, careers advisors and teachers – as well as those looking to progress a career in this profession.
Qualifications Required
To see the entry routes and education and training needed to pursue a career as an allied health professional, click on How to become an allied health professional.
If you are thinking about a change of career, click on Career change to AHP to see how people have done this.
Ambassadors / Friends / Buddies
AHP roles offer exciting and varied careers. Hear from local people to find out more about their roles, why they chose this rewarding profession, their varied routes into their roles, and tips to help you consider a career in this field.
Videos
Case Studies
Relevant Universities / Colleges
