DID YOU KNOW? Type of Medical Providers

With Medicine always changing and growing with the times, you may see some Medical Staff titles that are new to you. The following list and descriptions are some of the most common encountered in medical practices today.

1. Medical Doctor (M.D.) To become an MD, a person must complete a prescribed course of studies in medicine at a medical school officially recognized by the country in which it is located. They must also acquire the requisite qualification for licensure in the practice of medicine. They may additionally complete a Residency Program in a particular Specialty, and may or may not take and pass a Board certification exam.

2. Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) After acquiring an undergraduate degree, a DO completes four years of basic medical education and two to six years of residency in a specialty area. They also must pass a state license exam. DOs practice a "whole person" approach to medicine, verses treating specific symptoms or illnesses. They also receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system and osteopathic manipulative treatment.

3. Physician Assistant (PA-C)This is a certified mid-level medical provider practices medicine under the supervision of a licensed doctor (an MD) or osteopathic physician (a DO.) They must have at least a bachelor's degree, but many PA's are trained at the Master's level. They must complete a PA training program that is accredited by the national commission of Physician Assistants, pass a board certification exam every 6 years, and are licensed by the State in which they practice.Their scope of practice and specialty is defined by the practice in which they work. Different states may have limitations on their privileges

. 4. Advanced Practice Nurse (APNC) is an umbrella term appropriate for a licensed registered nurse prepared at the graduate degree level as either a Clinical Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse-Midwife, or Nurse Practitioner. Advanced Practice Nurses are professionals with specialized knowledge and skills that are applied within a broad range of patient populations in a variety of practice settings. All Advanced Practice Nurses should hold a graduate degree in nursing and be certified. They may specialize and can practice in varied settings. They are licensed by the state in which they practice.

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