Chapter 3

ATC

Certified Athletic Trainer

CEU

continuing education unit

CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

CNA

Certified Nursing Assistant

Clinical Nurse Specialists

use advanced degrees to specialize in specific nursing areas such as intensive care, trauma or emergency care, psychiatry, pediatrics (infants and children), neonatology (premature infants), and gerontology (older individuals

CRNA (Certified Registered Nursing Anesthetist)

administer anesthesia, monitor patients during surgery, and assist anesthesiologists (who are physicians)

Medical Assistant (MA)

working under the supervision of physicians, prepare patients for examinations, take vital signs and medical histories, assist with procedures and treatments, perform basic laboratory tests, prepare and maintain equipment and supplies, and/or perform secretarial-receptionist dutie

CRNP (Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner)

take health histories, perform basic physical examinations, order laboratory tests and other procedures, refer patients to physicians, help establish treatment plans, treat common illnesses such as colds or sore throats, and teach and promote optimal health

DDS

Doctor of Dental Surgery

DO

Doctor of Osteopathy

EMT

Emergency Medical Technician

EMT-P

Paramedic

LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

MD

Medical Doctor

Ortho

Orthopedics

OT (occupational therapist)

 often work under the direction of a physiatrist, a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation

PCP

Patient Care Physician

Peds

Pediatrics

PT

Physical Therapist/ Therapy

RN

Registered Nurse

RT

Respiratory Therapist

SW

Social Worker

PT and OT

directed to changing patients health status overtime

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

Focuses on ensuring proper alignment of the spine and optimal operation on the nervous and muscular systems to maintain health

Ortho

Focuses on the alignment or straightening of the teeth

DDS

Doctor who examines teeth and mouth to diagnose and treat disease and abnormalities

EMT

provides emergency prehospital care to victims of accidents, injuries, sudden illness

EMT-P

can perform all basic emergency medical technician duties and patient assessment and care, highest level of emergency technician

DO

Treats diseases/disorders, special emphasis on nervous, muscular, skeletal systems, relationship between body mind and emotions

MD

Diagnoses, treats, and prevents diseases or disorders

PA

Individuals who work under the supervision of physicians and take medical histories, routine exams, diagnostic tests, etc

SW

aid people who have difficulty coping with various problems by helping them make adjustments to their life/ referring them to sources

CMA

work under supervision of physicians and perform tasks to assist physicians with patient care

RN

licensed and work under direction of physicians and provide total care to patients

OT

help people who have physical, developmental, mental, or emotional disabilities to overcome, correct, or adjust

PT

provide treatment to improve mobility or prevent/ limit disability of patients who have disabled limbs

RT

Treat patients with heart and lung diseases by administering oxygen, gas, or medications. Does exercises to improve breathing

ATC

prevent and treat athletic injuries and provide rehabilitative services

Associates Degree

career/ technical school for 2 yrs

Bachelors Degree

college/ university for 4+ years

Masters Degree

college/ university 1 or more years of work beyond bachelor

Doctorate Degree

college/ university after 2+ years of work beyond bach/ masters

Certification

fulfilled education and performance requirements

* met standard.s and qualifications established by a professional association or gov agency

Registration

tested by regulatory body and maintains registry of qualified providers

Licensure

a government agency gives authorization to work in a given occupation

* completement of approved educational program
* passing board exam
* maintain ethics and standards

Scope of Practice

procedures, processes, and actions that health providers are legally permitted to perform in keeping within the terms of their professional license.

Accreditation

Ensures that the program of study meets established quality competency standards and prepares students for employment

CEU

Additional hours of education in a specific career in a specific amount of time

* healthcare provider required to renew licenses or maintain certification

Diagnostic Services Standards

creating a picture of the health status of the patient at a single point in time

Biotechnology Research and Development standards

comprehending how biotechnology contributes to health and the quality of life

Support Services Standard

changing the health status of a patient over time

Health Informatics Standards

documenting patient care and communicating information accurately

Gerontologist

specializes in treating older patients

epidemiologist

tracks diseases and their risk factors

Professional

in 4 or more years of college with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree

Technologist or Therapist

\n 3–4 years of college plus work experience, usually a bachelor’s degree and, at times, a master’s degree

Technician

\n 2-year associate’s degree, special health science education (HSE), or 3–4 years of on-the-job trainin

Aides or Assistants

\n 1–2 years in HSE program, associate’s degree, or 2–4 years of on-the-job training

Endodontics

treatment of diseases of the pulp, nerves, blood vessels, and roots of the teeth

Oral surgery

surgery on the teeth, mouth, jaw, and facial bones; often called *maxillofacial surgery*

Pedodontics

dental treatment of children and adolescents

Periodontics

treatment and prevention of diseases of the gums, bone, and structures supporting the teeth

Prosthodontics

replacement of natural teeth with artificial teeth or denture

Dental hygenists (DH)

Perform preliminary examinations of the teeth and mouth, remove stains and deposits, expose and develop radiographs, apply cavity-preventing agents, and perform other preventive or therapeutic services

Dental laboratory technicians (DLT)

make and repair a variety of dental prostheses (artificial devices) such as dentures, crowns, bridges, and orthodontic appliances according to the specifications of dentists.

Dental assistants

 working under the supervision of dentists, prepare patients for examinations, pass instruments, prepare dental materials for impressions and restorations, take and develop radiographs, teach preventive dental care, sterilize instruments, and/or perform dental receptionist duties such as scheduling appointments and handling accounts.

Emergency medical responder (EMR)

 is the first person to arrive at the scene of an illness or inju

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases/disorders of the feet or of the leg below the knee

Doctor of Chiropractic

focuses on ensuring proper alignment of the spine and optimal operation of the nervous and muscular systems to maintain health

Gastroenterologist

Diseases and disorders of the stomach and intestine

Endocrinologist

Diseases of the endocrine glands

Family Physician/Practice

Promote wellness, treat illness or injury in all age groups

Cardiologist

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels

Physicians Assistant (PA)

working under the supervision of physicians, take medical histories; perform routine physical examinations and basic diagnostic tests; make preliminary diagnoses; treat minor injuries; and prescribe and administer appropriate treatments

Psychiatrist

are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illness. Some specialties include child or adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and drug/chemical abuse.

Psychologist

study human behavior and use this knowledge to help individuals deal with problems of everyday living

Psychiatric/ mental health technician

working under the supervision of psychiatrists or psychologists, help patients and their families follow treatment and rehabilitation plans.

Funeral Directors

working under the supervision of psychiatrists or psychologists, help patients and their families follow treatment and rehabilitation plans.

Embalmers

prepare the body for interment by washing the body with germicidal soap, replacing the blood with embalming fluid to preserve the body, reshaping and restructuring disfigured bodies, applying cosmetics to create a natural appearance, dressing the body, and placing it in a casket.

Mortuary Assistant

 work under the supervision of the funeral director and/or embalmer

Nurse midwives

provide total care for normal pregnancies, examine the pregnant woman at regular intervals, perform routine tests, teach childbirth and childcare classes, monitor the infant and mother during childbirth, deliver the infant, and refer any problems to a physician

Nurse educators

teach in HSE programs, schools of nursing, colleges and universities, wellness centers, and health care facilities

Licensed practical/ vocational nurse

working under the supervision of physicians or RNs, provide patient care requiring technical knowledge but not the level of education required of RNs. The type of care is determined by the work environment, which can include the home, hospital, long-term care facility, adult day care center, physician’s office, clinic, wellness center, and health maintenance organization.

Dietician

individual who specializes in the science of diet and nutrition

Dietetic technicians

working under the supervision of dietitians, plan menus, order foods, standardize and test recipes, assist with food preparation, provide basic dietary instruction

Dietetic assistants

 work under the supervision of dietitians and assist with food preparation and service, help patients select menus, clean work areas, and assist other dietary team members.

Veterinary technologists/technician

working under the supervision of veterinarians, assist with the handling and care of animals, collect specimens, assist with surgery, perform laboratory tests, take and develop radiographs, administer prescribed treatments, and maintain records.

Veterinary assistants

work to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries in animals

Pharmacist (PharmDs)

 dispense medications per written orders from physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals authorized to prescribe medications

Occupational therapy assistant (OTA)

 working under the guidance of occupational therapists, help patients carry out programs of prescribed treatment.

Pharmacy technicians

working under the supervision of pharmacists, help prepare medications for dispensing to patients, label medications, perform inventories and order supplies, prepare intravenous solutions, help maintain records, and perform other duties as directed by pharmacists.

Physical Therapists (PT)

often work under the direction of a physiatrist, a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Physical therapist assistant (PTA)

 working under the supervision of physical therapists, help carry out prescribed plans of treatment.

Massage Therapist

usually work under the supervision of physicians or physical therapists. They use many variations of massage, bodywork

recreational therapist (TR)

use recreational and leisure activities as forms of treatment to minimize patients’ symptoms and improve physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Recreational therapy assistants

work under the supervision of recreational therapists or other health care professionals.

Psychiatric/ mental health technician

Works under the supervision of a psychiatrist, help patient and their family follow treatment and rehabilitation plan

Nurse assistants/ nurse aides/ nurse technicians, patient care technicians (pct)

Individuals who work under the supervision of registered or licensed practical nurses to provide basic patient care

Respiratory therapy technicians (RTT)

Work under the supervision of respiratory therapists and administers respiratory treatments