Healthcare roles explained: who does what

What the role does: Diagnoses, manages and treats conditions and diseases of the eye and visual system. Tests vision, prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses, and can prescribe medications for eye problems.

Typical entry education: A Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. The program takes 4 years, and applicants need at least 3 years of undergraduate study first. Every state requires a license.

Where state law allows, optometrists may perform minor surgical procedures. Ophthalmologists perform a wider range of surgeries.

In a sentence: Priya was comparing eye-care roles and wrote “O.D.” next to optometrist on her study sheet.

What the role does: A physician who diagnoses and treats conditions of the eye. May perform surgery for vision problems or for glaucoma and other eye diseases, and may also fit eyeglasses or prescribe contact lenses.

Typical entry education: A physician degree (M.D. or D.O.) followed by residency. Residency typically lasts 3 to 9 years depending on the specialty.

In a sentence: Marcus noted that an ophthalmologist is a physician, so the training starts with a medical degree.

What the role does: Fits customers for eyeglasses and contact lenses and helps them select which frames and lenses to buy.

Typical entry education: A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education.

In a sentence: Lena added optician as a third eye-care role beside optometrist and ophthalmologist.

What the role does: Diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance. Surgeons operate to treat injuries, diseases and deformities.

Typical entry education: An M.D. or D.O. degree. Medical school takes 4 years after a bachelor’s, and residency typically lasts 3 to 9 years depending on the specialty.

In a sentence: Ruth drew a line from “physician” to both M.D. and D.O. on her study sheet.

What the role does: MD stands for Doctor of Medicine. An MD is one of the two types of physician degree.

Typical entry education: Medical school, then residency, as for any physician.

BLS calls them the two types of physicians, with similar degrees. Both use the same treatment methods, such as drugs and surgery.

In a sentence: Tomas read that MD and DO are both physician degrees and wrote that down first.

What the role does: DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. A DO is a physician and works in all specialties. BLS says DOs place extra emphasis on the body’s musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine and whole-person care.

Typical entry education: Medical school, then residency, as for any physician.

DOs are most likely to be primary care physicians, though they work in all specialties.

In a sentence: Noor made a card with DO on one side and “physician with extra emphasis on whole-person care” on the other.

What the role does: A primary mental health physician. Diagnoses and treats mental illness through counseling, hospitalization and medication.

Typical entry education: A physician degree (M.D. or D.O.) followed by residency.

In a sentence: Elias circled “physician” in the psychiatrist entry, since that is the key difference from a psychologist.

What the role does: A physician who specializes in endocrinology, the field of the endocrine system. That system includes eight major glands, such as the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands and the pancreas, and affects growth and development, metabolism, sexual function and mood.

Typical entry education: A physician degree, then extra specialty training. One university’s endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism fellowship for physicians offers a two-year clinical track and a three-year clinical and research track.

BLS lists endocrinology as one specialty an internal medicine physician may choose.

In a sentence: Keisha added endocrinologist to the physician group because it is a specialty a physician trains into.

What the role does: Studies cognitive, emotional and social processes and behavior, and applies what they learn to improve processes and behavior.

Typical entry education: Typically an advanced degree in psychology, such as a master’s or doctoral degree. Clinical and counseling psychologists typically need a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology and are licensed in every state.

Some states permit clinical psychologists to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists and psychologists both offer psychotherapy, per NIMH.

In a sentence: Gina wrote “advanced degree in psychology, not a medical degree” beside psychologist.

What the role does: Provides and coordinates patient care and teaches patients and the public about health conditions.

Typical entry education: BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry education. There are three paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. A nursing license from the state is required, which means graduating from an approved program and passing a qualifying exam.

In a sentence: Paul listed the three RN paths on a card: bachelor’s, associate’s and diploma.

What the role does: Provides basic medical care.

Typical entry education: A postsecondary nondegree award. A state-approved program typically takes about a year, and graduates then pass a state licensing exam.

LPN and LVN are two titles for the same kind of work, used in different states.

In a sentence: Carla saw LVN on a program page and checked that it matched LPN on another.

What the role does: Provides basic care and helps patients with activities of daily living. (Orderlies, grouped on the same page, transport patients and clean treatment areas.)

Typical entry education: Nursing assistants often complete a state-approved education program and then pass their state’s competency exam.

In a sentence: Hank wrote “basic care, activities of daily living” next to nursing assistant.

What the role does: Serves as a primary and specialty care provider, delivering advanced nursing services to patients and their families.

Typical entry education: A master’s degree. Nurse practitioners must also be licensed in their state and pass a national certification exam.

In a sentence: Rosa put NP in the nursing group and wrote “master’s degree” beside it.

What the role does: Examines, diagnoses and treats patients under the supervision of a physician.

Typical entry education: A master’s degree from an accredited program. All states require physician assistants to be licensed.

In a sentence: Dana noted that a PA works under a physician’s supervision and needs a master’s degree.

What the role does: Completes administrative and clinical tasks in a medical office or clinic, such as scheduling appointments. Many focus on one side or the other, and some do both.

Typical entry education: Typically postsecondary education, such as a certificate. Workers without it may learn on the job. Most states do not require certification, though employers may prefer or require it.

In a sentence: Owen wrote “administrative and clinical” beside medical assistant.

What the role does: RMA stands for registered medical assistant. It is a certification title that medical assistants can hold, not a separate kind of work.

Typical entry education: Medical assistants typically need postsecondary education such as a certificate. BLS says most states do not require certification, and that certification is offered by several organizations.

In a sentence: Lena wrote “RMA = registered medical assistant, a certification” on her flashcard.

What the role does: Dispenses prescription medications and gives patients information about the drugs and their use.

Typical entry education: A doctoral or professional degree. All states require pharmacists to be licensed, though requirements vary.

In a sentence: Priya wrote “doctoral or professional degree” beside pharmacist.

What the role does: Helps pharmacists dispense prescription medication to patients or health professionals.

Typical entry education: A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which may require passing an exam or completing a formal education or training program.

In a sentence: Marcus noted that rules for pharmacy technicians vary by state.

What the role does: Helps injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.

Typical entry education: A doctoral or professional degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed.

In a sentence: Tomas listed PT as “movement and pain” on his role sheet.

What the role does: Works under a physical therapist’s supervision and is involved in the direct care of patients, helping them regain movement and manage pain. (Physical therapist aides, a separate role, have tasks indirectly related to patient care.)

Typical entry education: Typically an associate’s degree from an accredited program. All states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed or certified.

In a sentence: Noor wrote “associate’s degree” beside PTA and “doctoral” beside PT.

What the role does: Evaluates and treats people who have injuries, illnesses or disabilities, working to build skills for daily living and work.

Typical entry education: Typically a master’s degree in occupational therapy. All states require occupational therapists to be licensed.

In a sentence: Elias added OT to the therapy group with “daily living skills” beside it.

What the role does: Diagnoses and treats problems with patients’ teeth, gums and related parts of the mouth.

Typical entry education: A DDS or DMD degree from an accredited dental program. Dentists must be licensed in the state where they work.

In a sentence: Gina wrote “DDS or DMD” beside dentist.

What the role does: Examines patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provides preventive care, including oral hygiene.

Typical entry education: Typically an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed, and requirements vary by state.

In a sentence: Hank noted that a dental hygienist focuses on preventive care.

What the role does: Draws blood for tests, transfusions, research or blood donations.

Typical entry education: A postsecondary nondegree award. Some employers prefer professional certification, and states may set their own requirements.

In a sentence: Carla put phlebotomist in the technologist group with “draws blood” beside it.

What the role does: Performs diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. (MRI technologists, a related role, operate magnetic resonance imaging scanners to create diagnostic images.)

Typical entry education: Typically an associate’s degree. Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified.

In a sentence: Dana wrote “diagnostic imaging” beside radiologic technologist.

What the role does: Cares for patients who have trouble breathing.

Typical entry education: Typically at least an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program. Respiratory therapists must be licensed in all states except Alaska.

In a sentence: Paul noted that respiratory therapist is a licensed role in nearly every state.

What the role does: Helps with surgical operations. BLS groups surgical assistants and surgical technologists on one page.

Typical entry education: A postsecondary nondegree award.

In a sentence: Lena wrote “helps with surgical operations” beside surgical technologist.