What Do Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists Do? Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility. Athletic trainers work with people of all ages and all skill levels, from children to professional athletes and soldiers to industrial workers. They are usually one of the …Read More
Tag Archives: licensure
Audiologists
What Do Audiologists Do? Audiologists work with people who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems. They examine individuals of all ages, assess the nature and extent of problems, and help the individuals manage their hearing and ear problems. Using audiometers, computers, and other testing devices and advanced technology, audiologists evaluate and diagnose balance disorders, and they measure the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to …Read More
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
What Do Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Do Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who specialize in providing anesthesia and related care before and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures. They also provide pain management and emergency services. CRNAs develop individualized anesthetic care plans for each patient using a full range of anesthetic techniques, drugs, and technology. They also participate in preoperative patient education and assess and …Read More
Chiropractors
What Do Chiropractors Do? Chiropractors are licensed health professionals who diagnose and treat patients with problems related to the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation and other techniques to treat patients’ ailments, such as back or neck pain. Chiropractors focus on patients’ overall health. Many believe that misalignments of the spinal joints interfere with a person’s nervous system and can …Read More
Creative Arts Therapists
What Do Creative Arts Therapists Do? Creative arts therapists use active engagement in art, dance or movement, drama, and music as therapeutic approaches to address mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral disorders of their clients. Creative arts therapists work with individuals of all ages who may have a variety of mental or physical health issues, including those who are temporarily or permanently disabled. Creative arts therapists, working with clients one-on-one or …Read More
Dental Hygienists
What Do Dental Hygienists Do? Dental hygienists are licensed health professionals who provide preventive dental care, perform oral health assessments and teeth cleanings, apply cavity preventive agents to teeth, take and develop x-rays, and educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques. In some states, dental hygienists are allowed to place and carve filling materials, place temporary fillings and periodontal dressings, remove sutures, perform root planing, and smooth and polish metal …Read More
Dentists
What Do Dentists Do? Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with giving advice and administering care to help prevent future dental problems. They provide oral health education and instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, and the use of fluorides. They remove tooth decay, fill cavities, examine x-rays, place protective sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, extract or repair damaged teeth, and perform corrective surgery …Read More
Licensed Practical Nurses
What Do Licensed Practical Nurses Do? Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are health professionals who work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or a physician and provide basic patient care. Their duties may include: Taking vital signs, monitoring patients’ health, and keeping records about patients’ health; Administering medications, changing bandages, and other basic nursing care; Carrying out prescribed medical and nursing treatments; Educating patients and listening to their concerns and …Read More
Massage Therapists
What Do Massage Therapists Do? Massage therapists use their hands to manipulate and work a client’s muscles and soft body tissues. There are many different types of massage therapies, called modalities, such as Swedish massage, reflexology, acupressure, sports massage, reiki, and neuromuscular massage. Most massage therapists specialize in several modalities, which require different techniques. Massage therapy can offer medical benefits by helping to rehabilitate injuries and be part of a healing process by …Read More
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
What Do Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Do? Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances. Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians have different job responsibilities: technologists perform more complex tests and procedures than do technicians, and they typically supervise technicians. Medical and clinical laboratory technologists examine blood and other body fluids, analyze samples for chemical …Read More
Midwives
What Do Midwives Do? Midwives are health care professionals who provide primary and preventive reproductive health care to women: first exams, pre-conception counseling, gynecological exams, and family planning advice. Midwives also manage pregnancies, deliver babies, and provide prenatal and postpartum care to women and their infants. Midwives also perform newborn evaluation and resuscitation, if necessary, and refer infants for further assessment or treatment at the time of delivery. The scope of practice …Read More
Nurse Practitioners
What Do Nurse Practitioners Do? Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses (RNs) with advanced training in a practice specialty. NPs specialize in areas such as acute care, adult health, women’s health, family health, school health, community health, oncology, gerontology, psychiatry, geriatrics, pediatrics, palliative care, mental health, and others. NPs serve as primary and specialty care providers, providing a blend of nursing and health care services to patients and families. NPs …Read More
Ophthalmologists
What Do Ophthalmologists Do? Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye and vision care and function, including diagnosing and treating eye diseases and injuries. Eye M.D.s, as ophthalmologists are often called, are specially trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care, from prescribing corrective glasses and contact lenses and medications, to performing complex and delicate surgical procedures of the eye, including laser eye surgery, to prevent the occurrence …Read More
Pharmacists
What Do Pharmacists Do? Pharmacists are licensed health care professionals who distribute prescription drugs. As specialists in the use and clinical effects of drugs, they also advise patients, as well as physicians and other health practitioners, on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the safe and effective use of medication. They are responsible for making sure medications …Read More
Physical Therapists
What Do Physical Therapists Do? Physical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who help people with injuries or illnesses improve their movement and manage their pain. PTs are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment for patients with chronic conditions or injuries that limit their ability to move well or comfortably or do functional activities as well as they would like in their daily lives. PTs help patients …Read More
Physical Therapist Assistants
What Do Physical Therapist Assistants Do? Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the direction of a physical therapist (PT) to provide services that relieve pain and improve mobility for patients who are recovering from physical injuries, diseases, or disabilities. PTAs may assist PTs by performing routine treatments such as helping patients with stretching exercises or using exercise equipment, applying hot or cold packs, administering traction and massage, and training in …Read More
Physician Assistants
What Do Physician Assistants Do? Physician assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Working as members of a health care team, PAs take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, instruct and counsel patients, make diagnoses, and prescribe certain medications. Many PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family …Read More
Physicians
What Do Physicians Do? Physicians diagnose and treat diseases, illnesses, injuries, and physical and psychological problems. They examine and treat patients; obtain medical histories; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They may also counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive health care. There are two types of physicians, the Medical Doctor (MD), or allopathic physician, and the Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). Both types of physicians may use all accepted …Read More
Podiatrists
What Do Podiatrists Do? Podiatrists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot and ankle problems. They use medical and surgical interventions to treat foot deformities, growths, and injuries, as well as foot problems associated with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis. In diagnosing foot problems, podiatrists may conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all body systems, using x-rays, blood tests, and physical exams. As part of treatment, …Read More
Psychiatrists
What Do Psychiatrists Do? Psychiatrists are primary mental health physicians who assess, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses and emotional and substance abuse disorders through personal counseling (psychotherapy), psychoanalysis, hospitalization, and medication. Psychotherapy involves regular discussions with patients about their problems to help them find solutions through changes in their behavioral patterns, exploring their past experiences, or group and family therapy sessions. Psychiatrists may work with people with chronic mental illness, such as schizophrenia or …Read More
Psychologists
What Do Psychologists Do? Psychologists study behavior, mental processes and emotions by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and the environment. Psychologists concentrate on people’s behavior and, specifically, in the beliefs and feelings that influence a person’s actions. Psychologists involved with research tend to look for broad patterns to help them understand and predict behavior using scientific methods, principles, or procedures that test their ideas. The …Read More
Radiation Therapists
What Do Radiation Therapists Do? Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy treatments to cancer patients using machines called linear accelerators, which precisely target the cancer cells. As part of a medical radiation oncology team, radiation therapists work with a radiation oncologist and radiation physicist to develop individual treatment plans. Radiation therapists prepare the patient, set up the machinery, operate the machinery, and monitor each radiation session closely. Radiation therapists observe patient reactions, …Read More
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
What Do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Do? Radiologic technologists and technicians perform diagnostic imaging examinations. Radiologic technologists use imaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mammography, while radiologic technicians perform imaging examinations like x-rays. Radiologic technologists perform more complex imaging procedures. When performing fluoroscopies, for example, radiologic technologists prepare a solution for the patient to drink, allowing the radiologist (a physician who interprets radiographs) to see …Read More
Registered Nurses
What Do Registered Nurses Do? Registered nurses (RNs) treat and educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. RNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. In addition, RNs also: — Deliver and supervise patient care; — Give patients medicines and treatments; …Read More
Respiratory Therapists
What Do Respiratory Therapists Do? Respiratory therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing difficulties or other cardiopulmonary problems caused by asthma, smoking, pneumonia, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, chest injuries, and other disorders. They work with all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people whose lungs are diseased. They provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema and …Read More