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Audiologist

Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat a patient’s hearing, balance, or ear problems. Requires a doctoral degree.

Chiropractor

Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They use spinal adjustments and manipulation, and other techniques to manage patients’ health concerns, such as back and neck pain. Requires a doctoral degree.

Dentist

Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health. Requires a doctoral degree.

Medical Scribe

Medical scribes specialize in charting - encounters in real time, such as during . Depending on which area of practice the scribe works in, the position may also be called clinical scribe, clinical information manager (CIM), ER scribe or ED scribe (in the ). A scribe is trained in and the use of to support it. A scribe can work on-site (at a or ) or from a -secure facility.

Midwife

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) provide health care involving emotional and physical support to women before, during, and after childbirth. They are registered nurses with specialized training in assisting pregnant women and their newborn babies. CNMs must complete an accredited program of study and clinical experience in obstetrical care.

Nurse

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse Anesthetists are specially trained registered nurses who administer anesthetics to patients undergoing medical, dental, and obstetrical procedures. They usually work under the direction of the attending surgeon, dentist, or anesthesiologist. Duties include getting supplies and equipment ready for procedures, studying and interpreting pre-surgical tests to determine how the anesthetic will affect the patient, and assuring that an adequate blood supply is on hand in case of an emergency. Requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and specialized graduate education.

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide care to patients throughout the lifespan, from premature newborns to the elderly. Two out of three nurse practitioners provide primary care, often specializing in family care, women’s health, pediatrics or adult/geriatric care. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications, including controlled substances, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and a master’s degree.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. Requires a master’s degree.

Optometrist

Optometrists examine the eyes and other parts of the visual system. They also diagnose and treat visual problems and manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes. They prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed. Requires a doctoral degree.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. They may also conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, oversee the medications given to patients, and provide advice on healthy lifestyles. Pharmacists must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), a 4-year professional degree, and be licensed, which requires passing two exams.

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists, also known as PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of the rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries. Doctoral program.

Physician

Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients, take medical histories, prescribe medications, and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries such as broken bones, diseases such as cancerous tumors, and deformities such as cleft palates. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.

Physician Assistant

Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients. Requires a master’s degree.

Podiatrist

Podiatrists provide medical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. They diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and perform surgery involving the lower extremities. Doctoral or professional degree.

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or emphysema. Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to elderly patients whose lungs are affected by various diseases and breathing disorders. Respiratory Therapists operate mechanical ventilators and use aerosols and other medical gases to assist breathing and or ease breathing difficulty.  They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning, shock or traumatic injury.  As of January 2018, all new Respiratory Therapy Programs must be capable of awarding a Bachelor of Science degree to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Speech/Language/Pathology Therapist

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, Parkinson’s disease, a cleft palate or autism. Requires a master’s degree.

Veterinarian

Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to improve public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals. Veterinarians must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary college and a state license.

There are numerous organizations at the federal, state, and local level whose responsibilities involve the provision and regulation of healthcare services, disease and prevention research and activities, and monitoring of and protection from health hazards. Below is a partial list of Federal agencies that oversee the healthcare field.

There are also non-governmental entities whose mission is to provide oversight and accreditation of healthcare facilities. Examples of these types of organization are also provided here.

Federal Government

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality supports research to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) monitors and regulates the