Physician

A physician prevents, diagnoses, and treats human diseases, disorders and injuries. There are two types of physicians in the United States: Doctors of Medicine (M.D.s) and Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.s). Both M.D.s and D.O.s are licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication in all 50 states. D.O.s place special emphasis on the role of the musculoskeletal system in the healthy functioning of the human body. Most D.O.s tend to be primary care providers. Primary care specialties include family practice, internal medicine, gynecology/ obstetrics and pediatrics.

Common functions carried out by physicians include:

• Performing medical examinations;
• Diagnosing illnesses;
• Ordering/performing tests, analyses and x-rays;
• Prescribing and administering medications and treatments;
• Supervising medical treatments of patients;
• Advising patients on diet, hygiene and preventive health care; and
• Performing manipulative therapy (osteopathic physicians).

An M.D. or D.O. degree is granted upon graduation from an accredited medical program. Most physicians then enter a period of post-graduate training called a residency (one to six years) during which they receive specialty training. To be licensed, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age, meet all education and training requirements of the Board of Medicine, complete one year of satisfactory post-graduate training at a hospital in the U.S. or Canada and pass an examination. Further, physicians must obtain licensure in the state where they practice. The criteria and process for licensure differ by state.

For more information about M.D.s or D.O.s, contact:

American Medical Association
515 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 464-5000
www.ama-assn.org

American Academy of Family Physicians
8880 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 333-9700
www.aafp.org

American College of Physicians
6th St. at Race
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(800) 523-1546
www.acponline.org

American College of Obstetricians/Gynecologists
409 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20024-21885
(202) 638-5577
www.acog.org

American Academy of Pediatrics
141 NW Point Boulevard
P.O. Box 927
Elk Grove, IL 60007
(708) 228-5005
www.aap.org

American Osteopathic Association
142 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 280-5800
www.aoa-net.org

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

A physician assistant (PA) practices medicine under the supervision and responsibility of a doctor of medicine or osteopathy. S/he may work alone or with the supervising physician, but may perform only those activities permitted by state law and the physician. PAs usually emphasize primary care services.

PAs provide a broad range of medical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative services, including:

• Taking medical histories;
• Performing routine diagnostic tests and physical exams;
• Rendering emergency care;
• Diagnosing common illnesses and diseases;
• Ordering and interpreting results of laboratory tests;
• Assisting in surgery;
• Counseling on physical and mental health;
• Establishing treatment plans;
• Promoting "wellness;" and
• Prescribing and/or dispensing medications.

PA programs average two years, are accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) and require a minimum of two years college education and previous health care experience.

Passage of an exam developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners is required to be certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Once certified, PAs must continue their education and be retested every six years to remain certified.

PAs may have special training in a particular medical specialty such as geriatrics, neonatology, pediatrics, occupational medicine or surgery. For more information about physician assistants, contact:

American Academy of Physician Assistants
950 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-2272
www.aapa.org

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants 2845 Henderson Mill Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30341
(404) 493-7316
www.nccpa.net

Association of Physician Assistant Programs
950 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-5538
www.apap.org

NURSE PRACTITIONER

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced specialized education, usually at the masters degree level. S/he functions in an expanded role providing a full range of comprehensive primary health care services with a special emphasis on health promotion. Nurse practitioners function both as independent health care professionals and in collaboration with members of the health care team. The primary health care nurse practitioner coordinates the care the patient receives and advocates for the patient in the health care system. Functions commonly performed by the nurse practitioner include:

• Performing health histories and physical exams;
• Ordering and interpreting lab tests and diagnostic studies;
• Diagnosing and treating common acute and chronic health problems;
• Providing contraceptive/reproductive health care;
• Performing procedures such as suturing, casting and minor office procedures;
• Conducting health screening and risk assessment procedures such as pap smears, school/sport physical exams, employment physicals and well child exams;
• Providing health education and counseling with particular attention to health promotion and prevention of illness (e.g., regarding nutrition, exercise and life styles changes);
• Counseling patients/families in areas of stress management, reproductive health/family planning, eating disorders and family/relationship problems; and
• Prescribing and/or dispensing medications.

Nurse practitioners must complete either a certificate or masters degree program. Although states vary in their requirements for licensure, most require passage of a certification examination in the specialty area. Nurse practitioner specialties include:

• Psychiatry;
• Adult;
• Family;
• Adolescents;
• Pediatrics;
• Women's Health;
• Geriatric Health.

Continuing education is required to maintain certification.

For additional information about nurse practitioners, contact:

American Nurses Association
600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite l00 West
Washington, DC 20024-2571
(202) 554-4444
www.nursingworld.org

American College of Nurse Practitioners
2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20037-1718
(202) 466-4825
www.nurse.org/acnp

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
One Dupont Circle, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-6930
www.nonpf.com

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Capital Station, LBJ Building, P.O. Box 12846
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 442-4262
www.aanp.org

National League for Nursing
350 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 989-9393
www.n/n.org

CERTIFIED NURSE-MIDWIFE

A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse with specialized education in women's reproductive health care. They attend women during labor and delivery, and are trained and experienced in prenatal care, postpartum management, normal newborn care and routine gynecological care. The CNM provides personal, culturally sensitive care to the woman and her family, and is affiliated with a physician who is available for consultation or referral, if necessary. Common functions performed by the CNM include:

• Providing prenatal care and emotional support for pregnant women;
• Supervising and evaluating labor;
• Performing delivery services;
• Providing care for newborns;
• Providing family planning and well-woman gynecological services (i.e., pelvic exams, breast exams and Pap smears);
• Assisting and educating women with mid-life care issues; and
• Providing education and counseling.

The nurse-midwives' ability to practice independently and to deliver babies without physician supervision varies from state to state. (Refer to resource manual for information on practice laws in your state.)

American College of Nurse-Midwives
1522 K Street, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 728-9860
www.acnm.org

DENTIST

A dentist (Doctor of Dental Surgery, D.D.S., or Doctor of Dental Medicine, D.M.D.) examines and treats patients with oral diseases and conditions. S/he is also involved in prevention and early detection of gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer, and instructs patients about good oral health practice.

Common functions performed by the dentist include:

DENTAL HYGIENIST

A dental hygienist is a preventive oral health professional who provides educational, clinical and therapeutic services to the public. The dental hygienists' role on the dental team is to provide treatment to prevent oral diseases (e.g., cavities and periodontal diseases) and to educate. Common functions include:

• Examining teeth and oral structures;
• Cleaning and polishing teeth;
• Applying fluoride treatments, fissure sealant and other cavity-preventive agents;
• Exposing, processing and interpreting dental X-rays;
• Designing and implementing community dental health programs; and
• Instructing individuals and groups about proper care of the teeth and mouth.

In some states, dental hygienists are allowed to provide temporary fillings and periodontal dressings.

Requirements to become a registered dental hygienist include graduation from either a two-year certificate program or a four- year bachelors degree program and successful passage of the National Board of Dental Examiners licensing exam. A dental hygienist may play many roles including clinician, educator, administrator/ manager, researcher, consumer advocate and change agent/lobbyist. For more information, contact:

The American Dental Hygienists' Association
444 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-8900
www.adha.org

PSYCHIATRIST

A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in dealing with the study, treatment, and prevention of mental illness. Like all physicians, a psychiatrist must complete a program at an accredited medical school and enter a psychiatric residency program. The advanced specialty requirements include four years of additional training and a written and oral examination.

A psychiatrist is a physician with special expertise in evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with psychiatric and/or neurological disorders.

The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology issues three different general certificates (psychiatry, neurology, and neurology with special qualifications in child neurology). For more information about subspecialties within these fields, or general information contact:

American Psychiatric Association
1400 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 682-6000
www.psych.org

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
500 Lake Cook Road, Suite 355
Deerfield, IL 60015
(312) 945-7900
www.abpn.com

Clinical Psychologist

A clinical psychologist studies human behavior (thinking, feeling, development, motivation, perception and learning) in order to understand, compare and explain the way humans act and respond. S/he collects and applies knowledge related to the mental, emotional and behavioral characteristics of individuals and groups. Common functions performed include:

• Diagnosing and treating mental disorders;
• Collecting data through interviews, case histories, and observation;
• Providing counseling;
• Developing, selecting, administering and interpreting psychological tests, questionnaires, surveys and experiments;
• Conducting follow-up therapy; and
• Providing behavioral health education and outreach activities.

The clinical psychologist's ability to prescribe medication varies from state to state.

To be licensed as a professional psychologist, most states require a Ph.D. degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, one to two years' supervised experience in a setting approved by the State Psychology Board is required.

A clinical psychologist focuses on patient therapy and may work with special age groups or persons with certain psychological problems. For more information about psychologists, contact:

American Psychological Association (APA)
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5500
www.apa.org

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
400 S. Union Street, Suite 295
Montgomery, AL 36104
(800) 448-4069
www.asppb.org

Psychiatric Nurse Specialist

A psychiatric nurse specialist is a registered nurse who works with individuals, families, groups and communities to assess mental health needs and develop diagnoses. S/he also plans, implements and evaluates nursing care. Common functions performed by the psychiatric nurse specialist include:

• Conducting intake screening and evaluation;
• Providing case management;
• Performing milieu therapy and crisis intervention;
• Tracking clients and assisting them with self care activities;
• Prescribing, administering and monitoring psychobiological treatment regimens;
• Providing health teaching, counseling and outreach activities;
• Performing psychotherapy; and
• Providing clinical supervision/consultation.

There are two levels of psychiatric nurse specialists - basic and advanced. At the basic level, s/he is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) with a baccalaureate degree in nursing and demonstrated clinical skills exceeding those of a beginning RN or novice in psychiatric-mental health. At the advanced level, s/he is a licensed RN prepared at the masters level and is nationally certified as a clinical specialist in psychiatric and mental health nursing.

The requirements to become certified by the American Nurses Association are provided below:

Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse (C): Must hold a currently active RN license and must have practiced as an RN in direct psychiatric and mental health nursing practice for 24 of the past 48 months. Within this time, must have engaged in direct psychiatric and mental health nursing practice for an average of eight hours per week; have access to clinical consultation/supervision; and provide a reference from a nurse colleague. Must also have 30 contact hours of continuing education applicable to specialty area within past three years.

Clinical Specialist in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing or Clinical Specialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (CS): Must hold a currently active RN license and must be currently involved in direct psychiatric and mental health nursing practice an average of four hours per week; currently have access to clinical consultation or clinical supervision; have experience in at least two different treatment modalities; hold a masters or higher degree in nursing with a specialization in psychiatric and mental health nursing; have practiced in psychiatric and mental health nursing following completion of all masters degree requirements which meet one of the following descriptions: two years of practice in psychiatric and mental health nursing with an average of eight hours per week of direct patient contact, or four years of practice in psychiatric and mental health nursing with an average of four hours per week of direct patient contact. Also must document 100 hours following completion of all masters degree requirements of individual, group or peer group clinical consultation/supervision and endorsement from the consultant/ supervisor.

A psychiatric nurse specialist may also possess subspecialty certification/preparation in the following areas:

• Developmental - child and adolescent, adult, geriatric;
• Disorder Focus - addiction, depression, chronic mental illness;
• Practice Focus - community, group, couple, family, individual; and
• Role Focus - consultation/liaison.

For more information about psychiatric mental health clinical nurses, contact:

American Nurses Association
Council on Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 100 West
Washington, DC 20024-2571
(202) 554-4444
www.nursingworld.org

American Psychiatric Nursing Association
6900 Grove Road
Thorofare, NJ 08086
(609) 848- 7990
www.apna.org

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

A clinical social worker (CSW) assists individuals, groups and families with emotional, social and environmental problems, such as child and spousal abuse, unwanted pregnancies, drug/alcohol abuse, vocational difficulties, poverty, financial management, terminal illness and inadequate housing. Common activities include:

• Providing individual counseling, family treatment, or group work;
• Conducting interviews with clients and families regarding physical, social, and psychological concerns;
• Keeping records of clients activities, reactions and progress;
• Assisting in improving personal and social functioning by helping clients secure services, education and training;
• Developing job clubs and referring to job placement agencies;
• Referring to other health professionals and community resources;
• Coordinating/working with community organizations (e.g., civic, religious and business) to combat social problems through community programs; and
• Providing outreach, crisis intervention and social rehabilitation activities.

At a minimum, a bachelor's degree in social work is required. To practice professionally, a master's degree in social work is required. Social workers usually specialize in casework, group work or community organizations; some are involved in all three. They may also specialize in one field such as: child welfare and family services, mental health, medical social work, community organization or clinical social work. Clinical or psychiatric social workers offer psychotherapy or counseling. For more information, contact:

National Association of Social Workers 750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 408-8600
www.naswdc.org

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST

A marriage and family therapist (MFT) works with individuals, partners and families to promote the highest level of functioning within the family unit. Like other mental health professionals, MFTs assist with issues concerning self-understanding, self-esteem, life roles and relationships. MFTs are trained in family systems- theory which is based on the belief that individuals and their problems must be seen in context (i.e., the family) and, accordingly, treat their client's problems within the context of their relationships with others. Activities that might be undertaken by an MFT include:

• Conducting intake interviews;
• Formulating treatment plans;
• Counseling;
• Making referrals to health professionals/community resources;
• Providing milieu therapy and crisis intervention; and
• Providing health teaching and outreach activities.

An individual must have a minimum of a master's degree in marriage and family therapy and two years of post-graduate professional experience to be recognized as an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Clinical Member. The training of MFTs includes direct clinical supervision by experienced clinicians.

The AAMFT Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the national accrediting body for graduate and post-graduate education in the field. The standards established by the AAMFT and the COAMFTE have been adopted by most states and the federal government as the basis for licensure and reimbursement requirements. For more information about marriage and family therapists, contact:

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
1100 17th Street, NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 452-0109
www.aamft.org

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) assists individuals, groups and families to develop an understanding of behavioral problems and work toward solutions through a counseling relationship, using a combination of clinical mental health and human development principles, methods, diagnostic procedures, treatment plans and other psychotherapeutic techniques. Licensed Professional Counselors do not prescribe medications. Typical functions of Licensed Professional Counselors include the following:

• Administering and interpreting tests for assessment of personal characteristics, such as aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, interests, etc.
• Conducting interviews to evaluate personal and social functioning
• Assisting persons, couples, groups or organizations cope with matters including relationships, conflicts, problem-solving, decision-making, etc.
• Rendering counseling services to facilitate effective personal, emotional, social, educational and vocational development in individuals, couples, groups, and organizations

In order to become licensed in the state of intended practice professional counselors must generally hold a Masters or doctoral degree in professional counseling from an accredited school or college or have received equivalent program training as determined by the licensing authority in the state. Such degree or program shall also include a practicum or internship in the principles and practice of professional counseling. Additionally most states also require that candidates have at least two years of post-Master's practice or one year of post-Doctoral practice in applied psychotherapy under professional supervision as defined by the state.

Many states require that candidates show evidence of passing the National Counselor Exam (NCE) offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). For more information about this profession, contact:

National Board for Certified Counselors
3 Terrace Way, Suite D
Greensboro, NC 27403-3660
(336) 547-0607
www.nbcc.org

American Counseling Association
5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
(800) 347-6647
www.counseling.org