allied health chapter 3 test

associate's degree

2 year degree

bachelor's degree

traditional college (4 years; degree for undergrad studies)

master's degree

extra degree - 2 years; happens after 4 year of undergrad (bachelor's)

doctorate

degree required to become a doctor of any subject; additional 4 years after bachelor's

certification

fulfillment of education and performance requirements and meets standards established by professional association or government agency that regulates a particular career

- Ex: CNA, CPT, CDA

registration

professional association or state board that administers examinations and maintains a current registry of qualified personnel in a given health care career

- required in some careers

- Ex: RD, RRT, ARRT

licensure

government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation with education requirements, passing a state board test and maintaining standards

- varies state to state

- Ex: dentist, physician, registered nurse, physical therapist

commission on accreditation of allied health education programs (CAAHEP), and accrediting bureau of health education schools (ABHES)

two accreditation agencies

multiskilled/multicompetent worker

employees that can perform a variety of health care skills

- may have multiple certifications

- common in rural areas and small facilities

- cost effective

- some educational programs designed to provide multiskilled competencies

national health care skill standards (NHCSS)

developed to indicate knowledge and skills required of a health care worker at entry and technical levels

health care foundational standards

- academic foundation

- ethics, safety, communication, technical skills, knowledge about health care environment, legal responsiblities, employability skills

therapeutic standards

- knowledge and skills for patient care involving changing health status of patient over time

- collecting info., planning treatment, monitoring status, evaluating responses

diagnostic standards

- knowledge and skills for creating picture of health status at a single point in time

- explaining procedures, prep for procedures, reporting info., evaluating test results

health informatics standards

- knowledge and skills required to document patient care

- coding medical record, maintaining accurate info., documenting info.

support service standards

- knowledge and skills required to create therapeutic and clean environments to provide care; quality control and compliance of regulations of facility

biotechnology and research standards

- knowledge and skills required in bioscience, research and development; quality of life, math, and science principles, product and design development

endodontics

treatment of disease of the nerves, blood vessel, and roots of teeth

orthodontics

alignment or straightening of teeth

oral surgery

surgery on the mouth, jaw, and facial bones

pedodontics

dental treatment of children and adolescents

periodontics

treatment and prevention of disease of gums, bone, and structures supporting teeth

prosthodontics

dentures

dentist

doctors who examine teeth, diagnose and treat disease or abnormalities, perform corrective surgery, supervise other dental workers

- doctoral degree + 2 or more years if specialized

doctor of dental medicine

DMD

doctor of dental surgery

DDS

dental hygienist (LDH/DH)

perform preliminary exams, x-rays, perform preventative or therapeutic treatments

- associate's, bachelor's, or master's - hygienist program

emergency medical services

- provides emergency, prehospital care to victims of accidents, injuries, or sudden illnesses

- places of employment include rescue squads, hospital, private EMS

emergency medical technician (EMT)

provides general care for range of illnesses and injuries (bleeding, fractures, airway obstruction, basic life support)

- state certified training programs

- different levels based on experience and training

paramedic (EMT-P)

performs all basic EMT duties plus in-depth patient assessment, cardiac life support, drug administration, intubation, operation of technical equipment

- EMT + paramedic training or associate's degree

doctor of medicine (MD)

diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases or disorders

- doctoral degree + residency in specialty

anesthesiologist

administration of sedation for surgery or treatments

cardiologist

diseases of the heart and blood vessels

dermatologist

diseases of the skin

emergency physician

acute illness or injury (ER)

endocrinologist

diseases of endocrine glands (hormones)

family physician

promotes wellness, treats illness or injury

gastroenterologist

diseases of the stomach and intestine

gerontologist

disease and care of the elderly

gynecologist

doctor of the female reproductive organs

neurologist

diseases of the brain and nervous system

obstetrician

pregnancy and childbirth

oncologist

diagnosis and treatment of cancer and tumors

ophthalmologist

diseases of the eyes

orthopedist

disease of the muscles, bones, and joints

otolaryngologist

diseases of the ears, nose, and throat

pathologist

diagnose disease from changes in organs and tissue

pediatrician

disease and care of children

psychiatrist

diseases and disorders of the mind

radiologist

x-rays and radiation to diagnose and treat disease

surgeon

surgery to correct or treat injuries or disease (many specialties)

urologist

disease of the kidneys, bladder, and urinary system

doctor of osetopathic medicine (DO)

treats diseases/disorders pertaining to the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems, focus on whole body healing, more holistic approach to medicine

- doctoral + residency in specialty

physician's assistant (PA)

work under supervision of doctors, routine physical exams, basic diagnostic tests, preliminary diagnosis, treat minor diseases/injuries, prescribe and administer treatments

- master's degree

psychiatrist

doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illness

- doctoral + 2-7 years postgraduate speciality training

psychologist

studies human behavior to help individuals with everyday behavior

- bachelor's, master's, or doctoral

doctor of psychology

PsyD

psychiatric/mental health technician

work under supervision of doctors, help patients follow treatment plans, assist with physical care, observe/report behavior

- associate's, bachelor's (some states require nursing degree)

registered nurse (RN)

provide total care to patients under supervision of physicians, administers meds., treatments, documents patient progress, assess patient needs

- bachelor's, master's, or doctoral

- specializations based on advanced education

nurse practitioner (CRNP)

take histories, basic physical exams, order laboratory tests, refers patients to physicians, help establish treatment plans, treat common illnesses

nurse educators

teach in schools of nursing, health care facilities, and wellness centers

nurse anesthetist

administers anesthesia, monitor patients during surgery, assist anestheologists, may work independently (must have doctorate beginning in 2025)

clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

advanced degree required, specialized in specific nursing areas (ICU, trauma, pediatrics, etc.), teaching and training routes

licenses practical nurses (LPN)

work under supervision of RNs and physicians, patient care requiring technical knowledge (not the same level of education of RN)

- health science technology program/nursing program

nurse assistant

work under RNs or LPNs, basic patient care (bathing, feeding, patient transfers, administer basic treatments)

- state approved program

dietitian

manage food service systems, assess patients nutritional needs, evaluate health conditions, diagnose eating disorders, plan menus, teach proper nutrition and special diets; bachelor's or master's; registration required

nutritionist

teach clients about general nutrition and health properties of foods, cannot diagnose disease; all dietitians are nutritionists, not all nutritionists are dietitians

veterinarian

prevent, diagnose, and treat disease and injury in animals; doctoral degree; specialties in small animals, large animals, exotics, etc.

doctor of veterinary medicine

DVM

veterinary medical doctor

VMD

veterinary technician

works under supervision of veterinarians, assist with handling and care of animals, collect specimens, assist with surgery, administer treatments, maintain records; associate's or bachelor's

veterinary technologist

VT

veterinary technologist (registered), bachelor's

VTR

ophthalmologist (MD)

medical doctors specializing in diseases, injuries, and disorders of the eyes, perform surgery and correct vision problems; doctoral and 2-7 years specialty training

optometrist (OD)

examine eyes for vision problems, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnosis of eye diseases, referral to opthamologist for surgery; doctoral

therapeutic services

broad category, therapy and support to patients

occupational therapists (OT)

assist with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities to overcome, correct, or adjust to particular problems; various activities to assist with daily living, learning skills, or returning to the workforce; master's or doctoral

pharmacist (PharmD)

dispense medication, provide info. on drugs, ensure drug compatibility, maintain records, monitor drug use; work for manufacturers, pharmacies, hospitals; doctoral and internship

pharmacy technician

work under pharmacist, prepare medications, labeling, inventory management, maintain records; associate's

physical therapist (PT)

specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation and treatment to improve mobility, prevent or limit permanent, disability, provide exercise programs, and physical treatments; master's or doctoral

respiratory therapist (RT)

work under physicians, provide treatment to patients with heart and lung diseases, administer oxygen and medications, emergency care, exercises to improve breathing, performing diagnostic respiratory tests; associate's or bachelor's

surgical technician (CST)

operating room technicians, work under supervision of RN and doctor, prepare patients for surgery and set up equipment, assist with equipment and supplies during surgery; associate's

speech and language pathologist

identify, evaluate, and treat patients with speech and language disorders, help with effective communication; master's and clinical or doctoral

audiologist

provide care to patients with hearing impairments, test and diagnose problems, prescribe treatments (hearing aids, implants, etc.), develop hearing protection programs; doctoral (new)

athletic trainer

prevent and treat athletic injuries, provide rehabilitation services to athletes (with physicians), assess physical conditions, work on physical conditioning programs, administer first aid; bachelor's or master's

electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) technician

operates electrocardiograph machines (record electrical impulses of the heart), used to diagnose conditions of the heart; approved program or associate's

cardiovascular technologist (CCT)

assist with catheterization, angioplasty procedures, minor open heart surgeries, and pace maker implants, perform tests to check for circulation; associate's or bachelor's

electroencephalographic (EEG) technologist

operates machines that record electrical activity of the brain, used to evaluate brain function, and diagnose disorders (tumors, epilepsy, strokes, sleep disorders, etc.); associate's

electroneurodiagnostic technologist

perform nerve conduction tests, measure sensory responses, measure brain response; associate's

medical laboratory technologist (MT)

work under supervision of doctors, study tissues, fluids, and cells of human body to determine presence or cause of disease; bachelor's or master's

phlebotomist

collect blood and prepare it for testing, some may perform blood tests; certified program

radiologic technologist (RT)

work under supervision of doctors, use non-invasive x-rays, radiation, nuclear medicine, CT and MRI machines, and ultrasounds to diagnose and treat disease

health information (medical records) administrator (RA)

develop and manage systems for storing and obtaining records, prepare information for legal actions and insurance claims, compile statistics, ensure confidentiality; bachelor's or master's

epidemiologist

identify and track diseases, determine risk factors of diseases, develop methods to control the spread of disease, evaluate statistics; provide data to government and/or health agencies, some may specialize (cancer, heart disease, infectious disease, etc.); master's or doctoral

medical illustrator

produce illustrations, charts, graphs, and diagrams for health books, journals, and magazines, may also photograph or record surgical procedures for teaching, legal information, and documentation; bachelor's or master's

medical librarian

organize journals, books, and other print materials to provide information for healthcare professionals; information for research purposes, information for insurance agencies, pharmaceutical companies, law firms, government agencies, research institutions; master's

biological/medical scientist

study living organisms, assist in the development of vaccines, machines, medicines, etc.; bachelor's, master's or doctoral

biochemist

studies chemical composition of living things

microbiologist

studies growth and characteristics of microscopic organisms

physiologist

studies functions of organs, tissues, etc. of living things

forensic scientist

studies cells and evidence from crime scenes