Healthcare Professional Roles and Certifications

Healthcare Professional Roles and Certifications

• PharmD, BCNSP, CDCES
  • Highly specialized healthcare professionals who provide critical services in patient care.

Physician Assistant (PA)

• Licensed to practice medicine under physician supervision.
• Responsibilities include:
  • Diagnosing and treating illnesses
  • Performing physical examinations
  • Ordering and interpreting tests
  • Assisting with surgeries
  • Writing prescriptions (Schedule III, IV, & V in Arkansas)
  • Prescribing hydrocodone combination products if authorized by supervising physician.

Radiologist Assistant (RA)

• An advanced-level radiologic technologist extending the capacity of the radiologist.
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Leading patient management and assessment
  • Performing selected radiology exams and procedures under supervision
  • Evaluating image quality and making initial observations.

Occupational Therapist (OT)

• Focuses on enabling patients to engage in everyday activities.
• Main Duties:
  • Helping patients develop, recover, and improve daily living and working skills
  • Assisting children with disabilities in school and social situations.
  • Supporting older adults with physical and cognitive changes.
  • Teaching disabled patients how to use adaptive equipment.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

• Requires several years of experience and advanced education (MSN or DNP).
• Common Specializations Include:
  • Nurse Practitioners (NPs) - can prescribe medications (not Schedule II) with collaborative practice agreement.
  • Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

Respiratory Therapist (RT)

• Focuses on diagnosing and managing lung and breathing disorders:
  • Assessing patient conditions, recommending treatments, and managing ventilators.

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

• Diagnose and treat patients, prescribe drugs, perform surgeries.
• Many pursue residency training in specialties such as:
  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Anesthesiology.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

• Similar to MDs but emphasizes holistic treatment of the whole body.
• Involves prescribing medications and performing surgeries.

Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

• Focus on non-surgical, drug-free treatment; relies on manual methods for patient care.
• Not licensed to prescribe medications.

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

• Equivalent to DMD; entails similar education and training.
• Responsibilities include:
  • Prescribing medications such as antibiotics and pain relief.
  • Many pursue specialties like orthodontics, periodontics, or oral surgery.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

• Treat animals’ diseases and disorders, including surgeries.
• Can prescribe medications and use off-label drug practices.

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

• Specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot and ankle conditions.
• Often the first to detect systemic diseases based on foot assessments.

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)

• Focus on diabetes self-management education.
• Has comprehensive knowledge in diabetes prevention and management.

Pharmacy Board Certifications

• BCACP: Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist

  • Works on medication management and patient education.

• BCCCP: Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacist

  • Manages critically ill patients with complex medication regimens.

• BCNP: Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacist

  • Manages procurement and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals.

• BCNSP: Board Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacist

  • Designs nutrition treatment plans and monitors patient care in nutrition.

• BCOP: Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist

  • Manages cancer therapies and adverse events.

• BCPPS: Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist

  • Provides specialized care for pediatric patients.

• BCPP: Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist

  • Designs and monitors treatment plans for mental health patients.

• BCIDP: Board Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist

  • Involved in patient pharmacotherapy for infectious diseases.

• BCCP: Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist

  • Designs and monitors therapies for cardiovascular diseases.

• BCGP: Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist

  • Focused on pharmaceutical care for the elderly.

• BCSCP: Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist

  • Ensures compliance and quality in sterile preparations.

• BCTXP: Board Certified Transplant Pharmacist

  • Manages complex medication regimens for transplant patients.

• BCPS: Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist

  • Provides evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

• BCEMP: Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist

  • Improves therapeutic outcomes in emergency settings.