You might have seen the term ‘allied health’ and wondered what it means. Here’s a guide to what allied health entails, what support services allied health professionals provide, and qualifications you may need to provide support through Mable.
What does allied health mean?
Allied health refers to a wide range of health care professionals who are qualified to treat various illnesses and conditions. According to Allied Health Professions Australia, allied health professionals are university qualified practitioners who specialise in preventing, diagnosing and treating various conditions and illnesses, but are not part of the medical, dental or nursing professions.
Allied health professionals often work as part of a multidisciplinary health team to provide different types of support for a person’s specific needs. They work with doctors, medical specialists, nurses, midwives and dentists to find the best solutions to help the person.
What kinds of practitioners are allied health practitioners?
Allied health practitioners help people of all ages, from babies to older people who experience disability, injury and acute or chronic illness.
Here are some examples of allied health practitioners:
- Audiologist – Treatment and prevention of hearing disorders
- Chiropractor – Treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system
- Diabetes educator – Assist people with diabetes, and their families, to manage their condition with confidence
- Dietitian – Support for patients around medical conditions and weight loss or gain
- Exercise physiologist – Therapy and rehabilitation for injuries, disability and chronic disease
- Lactation consultant – Specialist in breastfeeding issues
- Medical imaging professionals – Technicians in X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc
- Music therapist – The clinical use of music to improve mental health and wellbeing
- Nutritionist – Provides advice on food and diet to promote health, prevent disease and optimise health
- Occupational therapist – Assist people who live with disability or illness to develop or maintain their independence, daily living and work skills
- Optometrist – Diagnose, test and correct vision problems in patients
- Osteopath – Manipulates the musculoskeletal system to prevent and treat injury
- Orthotist – Prescribes and fits orthotic and prosthetic devices to people who need support for body parts that have been weakened by disorders, injuries or disease
- Pharmacist – Advises patients on their use of medications and dispenses medications
- Physiotherapist – Helps patients recover from injuries, increase mobility, and prevent future injuries
- Podiatrist – Treats patients’ feet, ankles and lower limbs
- Psychologist – Helps patients cope with stressful situations, mental disorders, relationship problems, etc
- Rehabilitation counsellor – Assists patients living with injuries or disability to reach their occupational, social or personal goals
- Social worker – Helps people deal with social and personal issues with counselling, advocacy and community programs
- Speech pathologist – Supports and treats patients who have trouble swallowing or who live with a communication disability.
NOTE: Currently on Mable, only Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Speech Pathologists are able to offer support services through Mable.
Receiving in-home support from allied health professionals
If you are unable to leave home to be treated by an allied health professional, you may find one who can visit you at home.
An occupational therapist is an example of an allied health professional that can work in a client’s home An occupational therapist will view the person’s home surroundings and observe them in their daily routine. They will identify trip hazards, mobility issues or problems with lighting, and can make recommendations on any home improvements that would benefit the patient.
Podiatrists, dietitians, exercise physiologists, rehabilitation professionals, physiotherapists and speech pathologists are other examples of allied health professionals who often treat people in their homes.
Providing allied health services as an independent support worker on Mable
Whether you’re currently providing services as an Independent Support Worker, or you’re an allied health professional looking to provide services in your local community, you can use your skills in allied health to provide a range of services on Mable.
At present, the minimum requirements to start as a support worker on Mable are:
- A complete profile
- Worker must be 18 years of age or over
- Police check (issued in the last 2 years and 9 months – valid for 3 months from the day of registration on Mable)
- Have an ABN
- Be vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with your applicable state or territory requirements
- Have completed the Infection and Control training module
Requirements for Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychological Services
- AHPRA registration for a minimum of 12 months (provisional registration not accepted)
- 1 professional or character reference.
Speech Pathology
- Registration with Speech Pathology Australia for a minimum of 12 months (student or provisional registration not accepted)
- 1 professional or character reference
If you are looking to provide allied health services on Mable that are not listed above, contact us to discuss current requirements.
Benefits of being an independent support worker on Mable
Being an independent support worker on Mable provides a range of benefits for you and your clients.
- You’re covered by our high-level insurance suite, provided for all sessions invoiced through Mable, including public liability, personal accident and professional indemnity
- You’ll receive Tax and financial guidance through the Mable Tax Benefits Program
- Access to 24/7 counselling and mental health support through the Mable Wellbeing Platform
- Access to the Mable Learning Hub to upskill with more than 170 free courses.
Learn more about the benefits of being a support worker on Mable.
Sign up on Mable and start providing allied health services today.
RESOURCES
https://ahpa.com.au/what-is-allied-health/
https://ahpa.com.au/allied-health-professions/
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/allied-health/about
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/allied-health-care/who-can-provide
https://healthtimes.com.au/hub/allied-health/66/guidance/nc1/what-is-allied-health/498/
https://healthtimes.com.au/hub/allied-health/66/guidance/nc1/what-is-allied-health/498/
