Healthcare Professionals Vocabulary (Roles and Scope of Practice)

Vocabulary flashcards covering roles, scope of practice, and key duties across common healthcare professionals.

Physician (MD)

A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats illnesses; primary diagnostician and treatment planner; can prescribe medications and perform procedures or surgeries; education typically 11–15 years; may specialize in specific medical fields.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

A physician trained similarly to MDs but with additional emphasis on holistic care and osteopathic manipulative treatment; can diagnose, prescribe, and perform procedures; education length comparable to MDs.

Physician Assistant (PA)

Practices medicine under physician supervision; can diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and perform procedures; requires a master’s degree (about 2–3 years after a 4-year bachelor’s) for a total of roughly 6–7 years of education.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Advanced practice registered nurse who can diagnose and treat conditions, prescribe medications, and focus on preventive care; can work independently in many states; requires a master’s or doctoral degree (about 6–8 years total).

Registered Nurse (RN)

Provides direct patient care, advanced patient assessment, administers medications (including IVs), monitors conditions, educates patients and families; typically requires an associate or bachelor's degree (about 2–4 years).

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Performs basic nursing care and vital signs under RN supervision; requires a 12–18 month training program.”

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Provides basic patient care, assists with daily living activities, monitors vital signs, and reports changes to nurses; often requires a 6–12 week certification program; may be called Patient Care Technician (PCT) in hospital settings.

Medical Assistant (MA)

Takes vital signs and patient history, assists with examinations, may give injections (state-dependent), performs basic lab tests, schedules appointments, and handles records; typically a 9–12 month certificate or 2-year associate degree.

Health Unit Coordinator (HUC)

Manages unit communications, schedules, processes physician orders, and maintains medical records; typically requires 4–12 week certification; often called unit secretary.

Discharge Coordinator

Plans patient transitions and coordinates post-hospital care; arranges follow-up services; usually requires a nursing background (2–4 year nursing degree) with bedside experience; focuses on continuity of care.

Home Health Aide (HHA)

Provides in-home care, assists with daily activities, monitors basic health status, helps with medication sorting; typically requires a 4–12 week certification program.

Physical Therapist (PT)

Restores physical function, improves mobility, reduces pain, and prevents disability; typically requires a doctoral degree (about 8 years).

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Helps with daily living and fine motor skills, adapts environments to improve independence; usually requires a master’s degree about 2–3 years after a 4-year bachelor’s; total around 6–7 years.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

Treats communication disorders, helps with swallowing issues, and improves speech/language; works with cognitive and stroke patients; typically requires a master’s degree (about 6–7 years total).

Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Treats breathing disorders, manages ventilators, administers breathing treatments, and monitors cardiopulmonary status; usually requires an associate or bachelor’s degree (about 2–4 years).

Medication Authority

Comparison of prescribing authority: Physicians can prescribe all medications; NPs can prescribe most (state-dependent); PAs can prescribe most with physician oversight; RNs can administer medications with orders (cannot prescribe); LPNs have limited medication administration and cannot prescribe.

Patient Care Technician (PCT)

An alternative title for CNA in hospital settings; performs basic patient care tasks and supports nursing staff.

CNA vs MA Differences

CNA focuses on inpatient basic daily living and direct patient care; MA handles clinical and administrative duties, appointments, billing, and some procedures; MA generally involves broader clinical responsibilities and more medication involvement.