The Limitations of an Allied Health Assistant: What You Need to Know

Allied health assistants play a crucial role in healthcare settings, but there are limitations to what they can do. If you’re considering a career as an allied health assistant, or you are a healthcare organisation that employs them, it is important to be aware of these limitations. In this blog, we’ll discuss what the limitations of an allied health assistant are and give you an insight into what to expect.

Scope of practice

Allied health assistants have a defined scope of practice that limits their ability to perform certain tasks. This is because they require specific training and qualifications to carry out their work. For example, although they may be trained in basic wound care, they cannot diagnose or treat complex wounds. Similarly, they cannot prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, or make referrals to other healthcare professionals.

Supervision

Allied health assistants work under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional, such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. This means that they are not able to work independently. They are responsible for carrying out delegated tasks, and they must follow specific instructions from their supervisor. Their work must also be regularly reviewed and checked by their supervisor.

Allied Health assistants have a duty of care to their patients. However, they are not legally responsible for the overall care of a patient in the way that a registered healthcare professional is. If something goes wrong, it is ultimately the responsibility of the healthcare professional supervising them. This means that if an allied health assistant makes a mistake, their supervisor may be held accountable.

Professional development

Allied health assistants must regularly update their skills and knowledge through ongoing professional development. However, their scope of practice means that they are limited in the type of training they can undertake. They are not eligible for some advanced training that registered healthcare professionals can undergo, which can limit their career progression.

Job prospects

Allied health assistants are in high demand, particularly in aged care and disability support. However, there may be limited job opportunities for allied health assistants in other healthcare settings, such as hospitals or private practices. This limits their ability to work in different areas of healthcare and make a career change if they desire.

Conclusion:

While allied health assistants are important members of healthcare teams, there are limitations to what they can do. It is crucial for allied health professionals and healthcare organisations to be aware of these limitations and provide appropriate training, supervision, and support to allied health assistants. If you’re looking for a healthcare professional who can perform more advanced tasks, then you’ll need to hire registered professionals.

At Reaching Abilities, we offer a range of specialised allied health services to support people with disability and their families. Our team includes registered occupational therapists, speech pathologists and physiotherapists who have undergone advanced training in their fields. If you need healthcare support in these areas, contact us today for a consultation.

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Pub: 17 Aug 2023 04:57 UTC
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