Health Care Careers and Terminology

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering health care careers, degree levels, certifications, and related medical professions.

Admitting officers/clerks

Individuals who work in the admissions department of a health care facility and are responsible for obtaining all necessary information when a patient is admitted, assigning rooms, maintaining records, and processing information when discharged.

Associates degree

A degree awarded by a vocational-technical school or community college after the successful completion of a two-year course of study or its equivalent.

Athletic trainer certified (ACTs)

Professionals who prevent and treat athletic injuries, provide rehabilitative services, frequently work with sports medicine physicians, teach nutrition, assess conditioning, apply tape/padding, and administer first aid.

Audiologists

Individuals specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders.

Bachelors degree

A degree awarded by a college or university after a person has completed a four-year course of study or its equivalent.

Biological (medical) scientists

Individuals who study living organisms, assist in developing vaccines, medicines, and disease treatments, evaluate human-environment relationships, and administer food and drug testing programs.

Biomedical/clinical engineers

Individuals who combine knowledge of biology and biomechanical principles to assist in the operation of health care facilities.

Biomedical equipment technicians (BETs) (CBETs certified)

Individuals who work with the many different machines used to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients.

Cardiovascular technologist

An individual who assists with cardiac catheterization and angioplasty procedures, monitors patients during open-heart surgery, and performs tests to check circulation in blood vessels.

Central/sterile service/supply technicians

Technicians who order, maintain, and supply equipment and materials used by other hospital departments; sterilize instruments, maintain equipment, inventory materials, and fill requisitions.

Certification

The issuing of a statement or certificate by a professional organization to a person who has met requirements of education and/or experience and organization standards.

Clinical account managers

Individuals who promote, sell, and educate clients, sales associates, and the public about health care products.

Clinical account technicians (CATs)

Individuals who assist patients that have questions about their bill or need help to make payment arrangements.

Clinical laboratory scientists (CLSs)

Individuals who study tissues, fluids, and cells of the human body to help determine presence/cause of disease, perform complicated chemical and microscopic tests, and work under pathologists.

Clinical laboratory technicians (CLTs)

Individuals who perform many routine laboratory tests that do not require the advanced knowledge held by a medical technologist.

Continuing education units (CEUs)

Additional hours of training required in many states to renew licenses or maintain certification or registration.

Dental assistants

Individuals who work under the supervision of dentists to prepare a patient for dental procedures and assist with the procedures.

Dental hygienist (DHs)

A licensed individual who works with a dentist to provide care and treatment for the teeth and gums.

Dental laboratory technician (DLTs)

Individuals who make and repair a variety of dental prostheses such as dentures, crowns, bridges, and orthodontic appliances.

Dentists (DMDs or DDSs)

Doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the teeth and gums.

Dialysis technicians

Individuals who operate kidney hemodialysis machines used to treat patients with limited or no kidney function.

Dietetic assistants

Individuals who work under dietician supervision to assist with food preparation, food service, menu selection, cleaning, and assisting dietary workers; also called food service workers.

Dietetic technicians (DTs)

Individuals working under the supervision of dieticians who assist with food preparation and service, help patients select menus, clean work areas, and assist other dietary workers.

Dietitians (RDs)

Individuals who specialize in the science of diet and nutrition.

Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

A classification of physician focusing on proper alignment of the spine and optimal operation of nervous and muscular systems to maintain health.

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

A classification of physician who diagnoses, treats, or prevents diseases or disorders.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

A classification of physician who treats diseases/disorders placing special emphasis on the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems, and the relationship between body, mind, and emotions.

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

A classification of physician who examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases/disorders of the feet or of the leg below the knee.

Doctorate/doctoral degree

A degree awarded by a college or university after completion of a prescribed course of study beyond a bachelor's or master's degree.

Electrocardiograph (ECG) technicians

Individuals who operate electrocardiograph machines that record electrical impulses originating in the heart.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) technologist

An individual who records electrical activity of the brain as an electroencephalogram, used by neurologists and physicians to diagnose and evaluate brain disorders.

Electroneurodiagnostic technologist (END)

An individual who performs nerve conduction tests, measures responses to stimuli, measures brain responses, and operates monitoring devices for brain and nervous system disorders.

Embalmers

Individuals who prepare the body of a deceased person for interment or burial.

Emergency medical responder (EMR)

The first person to arrive at the scene of illness/injury who interviews/examines victims, calls for medical assistance, maintains safety/infection control, and provides basic care.

Emergency medical technician (EMT)

An individual who provides emergency prehospital care to victims of accidents, injuries, or sudden illnesses.

Endodontics

A branch of dentistry involving the treatment of the pulp chamber and root canals of the teeth; root canal treatment.

Entrepreneur

An individual who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business.

Environmental services facilities managers

Individuals who oversee buildings, grounds, equipment, and supplies.

Epidemiologists

Individuals who identify and track diseases as they occur in a group of people.

Ethicists

Individuals who review medical research, history, philosophy, theology, and sociology to make judgments on treatment options regarding patient rights, quality of life, privacy, and fund allocation.

Forensic science technicians

Individuals who investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence.

Funeral directors

Individuals who manage and operate a funeral home; also called morticians or undertakers.

Genetic counselors

Individuals who provide information to patients and/or their families on genetic diseases or inherited conditions.

Geneticists

Individuals who study genes and how they are inherited, mutated, and activated or inactivated.

Geriatric aides/assistants

Individuals with additional education to provide care for older patients in nursing homes, extended care facilities, retirement centers, and adult day care.

Health care administrators

Individuals who plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of health care in a health care facility.

Health care risk managers

Individuals who assess risks in order to reduce potential safety, financial, and patient problems.

Health educators

Individuals who teach behaviors that promote wellness by evaluating, designing, presenting, and disseminating culturally appropriate health education information.

Health information (medical records) administrators (HIAs)

Individuals who develop and manage the systems for storing and handling health information and medical records.

Health information (medical records) technicians (HITs)

Individuals who organize and code medical records, gather statistical information, and monitor records to ensure confidentiality.