| Discipline
| Practice Roles/Skills
| Education/Training
| Licensure / Credentials
|
| Nurse
| Licensed vocational nurse (LVN) -- basic nursing skills that are dictated by
the facility; registered nurse (RN) -- BA or higher and has increased scope of
practice including planning for optimal functioning, coordination of care,
teaching, and direct and indirect patient care.
| LVN - 1 year of training; RN with associate degree -- 2 years of training,
usually in a community college; BS, RN -- 4 years in college; MS, RN -- 2 years
of postgraduate specialty study; PhD, RN - 3-4 years of postgraduate studies.
| LVN -- exam required for licensing; CE requirements.
RN -- can be RN; BS, RN; APN; MS, GNP or other specialty RNs; PhD, RN: all must pass the national licensure exam and are required to have 20 hours of CEUs per year. |
| Nurse practitioner
| Health assessment, health promotion skills, histories and physicals in
outpatient settings; order, conduct, and interpret some lab and diagnostic tests,
teaching and counseling.
| Masters degree with a defined specialty area such as gerontology (GNP).
| In addition to RN licensure, NP must pass a National Certification Exam in the
appropriate specialty area. (e.g., gerontology or family practice).
|
| Physician
| Treat diseases and injuries, provide preventive care, do routine checkups,
prescribe drugs, and do some surgery.
| Physicians complete medical school (4 yrs.) plus 3 to 7 years of graduate
medical education.
| State licensure required for doctor of medicine degree; exam required and
possible exams required for specialty areas. CE requirements.
|
| Geriatrician
| Physician with special training in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of
disorders in older people; recognizes aging as a normal process and not a
disease state.
| Completion of medical school, residency training in family medicine and
internal medicine and 1 year fellowship program in geriatric medicine.
| Completion of fellowship training program and/or passing examination for
Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine (CAQ). Re-certification
by examination required every 6 years.
|
| Physician assistant
| Practice medicine with the supervision of licensed physicians; exercise
autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and
therapeutic services; practice is centered on patient care.
| Specially designed 2 year PA program located at medical colleges and
universities. Most have bachelor's degree and over 4 years of health care experience
before entering a PA program.
| State licensure or registration plus certification by NCCPA. Re-certification
every 6 years by examination. Requires 100 hours CME every 2 years.
|
| Social worker
| Assessment of individual and family psychosocial functioning and provision of
care to help enhance or restore capacities; this can include locating services
or providing counseling.
| There is a 4-year college degree (BSW); 2 years of graduate work (MSW), and
doctoral degree (Ph.D.); 15 hours of continuing education is required every year.
| State certification is required for clinical social workers. The LMSW (for
masters level); LSW (BS level); SWA is a social work associate with a combination
of education and experience. ACP --signifies licensure for independent
clinical practice
|
| Psychologist
| Assessment, treatment and management of mental disorders; psychotherapy with
individuals, groups, and families.
| Graduate training consists of 5 years beyond undergraduate training; most
course work includes gerontology and clinical experience.
| Ph.D. or EdD or PsyD are degrees awarded. State licensure; the American
Psychological Association has ethics codes as do most state.
|
| Psychiatrist
| Medical doctors who treat patients' mental, emotional, and behavioral
symptoms.
| Medical school and residency specializing in psychiatry. Residency includes
both general residency training and 2-3 years in area of specialization (e.g.,
geriatrics, pediatrics).
| State exam to practice medicine; Board of Psychiatry and Neurology offers exam
for diplomat in psychiatry, though not required for psychiatric practice in
Texas.
|
| Pharmacist
| Devise and revise a patient's medication therapy to achieve the optimal regime
which suits the individual's medical and therapeutic needs; information
resource for the patient and medical team.
| Pharmacists can receive a baccalaureate (B.S.) - 5 year program; or doctorate
degree (Pharm.D.)
Annual CEUs required range from 10 to 15 hours. | State exam required - Texas uses the national exam (NABPLEX); given every
quarter; RPh is the title for a registered pharmacist in Texas; board
certifications in specialties available (pharmacotherapy, nuclear pharmacy, nutrition,
psychiatric, and oncology in near future).
|
| Occupational therapist
| One who utilizes therapeutic goal-directed activities to evaluate, prevent, or
correct physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction or to maximize function in
the life of the individual.
| BS or MS in OT with a minimum of 6 months of field work; for OT assistant, an
associate degree or OT assistant certificate is required with a minimum of 2
months’ field work.
| State exam required for the credential of O.T.R. (occupational therapist
registered). Exam also required for COTA (certified occupational therapy assistant),
these exams are given at least 2 times/year.
|
| Physical Therapist
| The evaluation, examination, and utilization of exercises, rehabilitative
procedures, massage, manipulations, and physical agents including, but not limited
to, mechanical devices, heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, and sound
in the aid of diagnosis or treatment.
| Four-year college degree in physical therapy is required to be eligible for
the state exam; master’s degree in physical therapy is available; 3 CEU's every 2 years are required
| PT is the credential that is used by licensed physical therapists and PTA is
the credential for licensed physical therapist assistant. To use either of
these titles, one must pass a state exam. CEUs are required for both; titles and
licenses must be renewed biennially.
|
| Chaplain
| Provide visits and ministry to patients and family
| Masters degree in theology, plus a minimum of 1 year of clinical
supervision, if fully certified, can work in some settings without being fully certified.
| Certification is through the Chaplaincy Board of Certification -- credentials
for this are BCC; however, credentials are not normally used. Most chaplains
are ordained ministers, but not all. CEUs required are 50 hours per year.
|
| Dietitian
| Evaluate the nutritional status of patients; work with family members and
medical team to determine appropriate nutrition goals for patient.
| BS degree in food and nutrition and experience are required to be eligible for
exam; CE's are required for both the LD (6 clock hrs/year) and RD (75 clock
hrs every 5 years); MS degree is available also.
| RD is the credential for a registered dietitian in the state of Texas; For RD,
must pass the national exam of the American Dietetic Association; LD is the
credential for a licensed dietitian in the state of Texas; same exam is required
but processing of paperwork/fees is different.
|