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medical titles
abbreviations
| Title | skills | education |
|---|---|---|
| CNA certified nursing aide | trained to work with nursing home patients. sometimes will work in hospitals by patient care technicians | certificate usually 4-12 weeks |
| EMT emergency medical technician | provides emergency care away from a hospital setting. advanced EMT's become paramedics | EMT's can receive certification in as little as 4-6 weeks, while paramedics usually have associates degrees. |
| LVN, LPN licensed vocational nurse licensed practical nurse | supervised directly by a registered nurse. may do most procedures if adequately trained and allowed by the facility. must have an RN countersignature to administer blood products | certificate usually less then 1 year |
| MD medical doctor | varies depending on specialty. may diagnose and prescribe medicines | doctorate 8-12 years |
| ME medical examiner | primarily required to pronounce a person dead or decide if a case warrants an autopsy | in some rural location, none. |
| MLT medical lab technologist | performs lab tests and phlebotomy (draws blood) | certificate or associates degree |
| NP nurse practitioner | assists physicians. may write orders and diagnose under the supervision of a physician | masters degree |
| OT occupational therapist | assist patients in recovering daily activity skills | usually a masters degree. not to be confused with OT assistant |
| PA physicians assistant | assist physicians. my write orders and diagnose under physicians supervision | usually a masters degree |
| PT physical therapist | helps patients recover lost motor function due to illness or injury | masters or doctorate degree not to be confused with PT assistant |
| RHIT registered health information technician, formerly ART accredited record technologist | manages the medical records. can involve insurance coding and transcription | associates degree |
| RN registered nurse | performs nursing tasks and administration. oversees LPN's and is responsible for patient maintenance | associates, bachelors, or masters degree, or doctorate |
| RRT, RT registered respiratory therapist, respiratory therapist | respiratory care and treatments to include blood gas and ventilator management | certificate, associates degree, or bachelors degree |
| CMA (or RMA) certified medical assistant registered medical assistant | works in doctors office and must be able to assist in exams, draw blood and do office work | certificate or associates degree |