A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Healthcare Professionals

Everyone in the world knows what a doctor is. It's the foremost profession in the medical field, the one that everyone recognizes.

However, a doctor isn't the only type of healthcare professional out there. There's a myriad of different types of healthcare professionals in the industry. You've probably only interacted with a fraction of them.

In this article, we'll explain some of the most common types of healthcare professionals. Don't be surprised if you've never heard of some of these.

Nursing Assistant

A nursing assistant takes care of a lot of the behind-the-scenes work. That includes organizing medical equipment and getting vital signs from patients. While they operate with a certificate instead of a 4-year degree, the work a nursing assistant does is critical to a well-running hospital.

Clinical Documentation Specialist

A clinical documentation specialist has a very solid understanding of the information other healthcare professionals will need to assess a patient.

These specialists will ask about your medical history, employment, personal information, and more. Then, they compile it in a format that other health professionals can reference. For more information about a clinical documentation specialist's day-to-day routine, check out this blog.

Mental Health Professionals

Yes, psychologists and psychiatrists are classified as healthcare professionals! Mental health is a very important part of any healthcare establishment.

Mental health therapists may operate with a hospital or independently with their own practice. Many of them have doctorate degrees, and licensed psychiatrists can even prescribe medication.

Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician cannot prescribe medication, but they still have a solid understanding of the drugs that are stored in a pharmacy. They use this knowledge to dispense medications and sometimes determine dosages.

Many techs will also perform administrative duties for the head pharmacist. They may work in a hospital, clinic, or drugstore pharmacy.

Clinical Laboratory Technician

A laboratory technician is the one who keeps all the equipment in a medical lab maintained and working correctly. They'll also help out by running tests, collecting samples, and dispensing information.

The information that a clinical laboratory technician uncovers is crucial to the diagnosis that a doctor will provide you with.

Dental Assistant

A dental assistant will often take care of the most basic forms of patient care at a dentist's office. This includes helping a hygienist clean teeth.

In addition, dental assistants will often do some of the behind-the-scenes administrative work. This includes getting patient documentation together, filing records, or billing customers.

More and more offices are beginning to realize the value of a good dental assistant. Consequently, the market for them is exploding far faster than that of other healthcare professionals.

Understanding Healthcare Professionals

Now you're familiar with a few more of the different types of healthcare professionals out there in the world! The next time you visit a hospital, you'll have a much better idea of what all's going on and who gets everything done.

For more lifestyle and medical articles, check out the rest of our website!