The Evolving Allied Health Workforce: Addressing Shifts and Challenges with HWL

While nurses were more widely recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic, the allied health sector—comprising a wide range of professionals from imaging specialists to rehabilitation therapists—has also undergone significant changes. As healthcare leaders face ongoing staffing challenges, the demand for allied health professionals continues to rise, underscoring their critical role in comprehensive patient care.

In this blog, we will explore the current state of the allied health workforce and how HWL’s workforce solutions can help healthcare facilities overcome staffing hurdles in this essential sector.

Allied Health Workforce Trends

According to National Healthcareer Association (2024), Allied health professionals make up roughly 60% of the healthcare workforce, serving in roles such as imaging technicians, respiratory therapists, and physical therapists. The pandemic and its aftermath have reshaped the demand for these professionals across various divisions. Below is a summary of the key trends in four major allied health sectors:

• Imaging Services: The demand for imaging professionals, including MRI and CT technologists, has surged nationwide, with nearly every state reporting shortages. The pandemic delayed elective procedures, creating a backlog of patients now seeking diagnostic services, which has strained the availability of these skilled professionals.
• Rehabilitation Therapy: Physical and occupational therapists continue to see rising demand as patients recover from conditions related to COVID-19 and other delayed medical treatments. Though not as severe as the pandemic’s peak, the demand for rehabilitation services is expected to grow steadily, particularly as the population ages.
• Laboratory Services: In contrast, demand for laboratory roles has dropped to a near 20-year low. Advances in diagnostic technology and evolving healthcare delivery models have reduced the need for in-house lab technicians.
• Cardiopulmonary Services: Respiratory therapists and other cardiopulmonary specialists face stable but cyclical demand, with peaks during winter months due to respiratory illnesses like influenza. While not experiencing the dramatic shifts seen in other sectors, these roles remain vital to seasonal patient care needs.

Challenges for Healthcare Facilities

Allied health staffing presents distinct challenges for healthcare executives and directors, particularly in a post-pandemic world:

• Intense Competition for Talent: With a limited talent pool in areas like imaging services, healthcare facilities must act quickly to secure candidates. Offering competitive pay and clear career growth opportunities is key to attracting top talent before competitors do.
• Aging Workforce: By 2030, over 78 million baby boomers will be over 65, leading to a wave of retirements among healthcare professionals, including many allied health workers. This demographic shift will increase the strain on an already challenged healthcare system, making strategic workforce planning more critical than ever.
• Skills Development: While newly certified allied health professionals often enter the workforce with foundational skills, many still require development in areas like patient communication, critical thinking, and time management. Employers are increasingly turning to continuing education and mentorship programs to address these gaps.

Looking Ahead: Preparing for Future Staffing Needs

As healthcare adapts to the post-pandemic landscape and an aging population, the demand for allied health professionals will continue to grow, particularly in high-demand fields such as imaging and rehabilitation therapy. To stay ahead, healthcare leaders must prioritize strategic staffing plans now.

Partnering with HWL ensures your facility is equipped with the skilled professionals it needs to navigate these challenges. Our expertise in allied health workforce solutions and our vendor-neutral approach provide you with the flexibility and access required to thrive in today’s competitive job market.

HWL understands the evolving challenges healthcare facilities face in staffing their allied health departments. Our vendor-neutral, workforce management solutions are designed to address these demands by providing access to a network of highly skilled professionals across various allied health divisions. Here’s how HWL supports Allied Health Workforce Management: 

• 300+ suppliers dedicated to Allied Health professional procurement.
• 12,500 + of Allied jobs filled to-date

Ready to Strengthen Your Allied Health Workforce?

If your facility is facing staffing challenges, HWL is ready to help. With our tailored workforce solutions and expansive network of allied health professionals, we can support your facility’s specific needs and ensure you stay competitive. Contact an HWL representative today to learn more about how we can enhance your allied health workforce strategy.

Sources:

https://info.nhanow.com/learning-leading-blog/allied-health-trends-impacting-hiring-and-retention-in-private-practice

https://www.staffingindustry.com/editorial/staffing-stream/the-shifting-demands-in-allied-healthcare-what-you-need-to-know