AMT Chapter 4
List of Medical Professionals1
Within the many different specialties of medical practice, there is still a wide variety of medical
professionals who contribute to the care provided to individuals with special physical problems. While
the PCP and family doctor attend to people’s basic healthcare needs, that is where the simplicity of the
system ends; when a patient develops a health problem that goes beyond the scope of practice of the
family physician, the problem may require the input and expertise of a number of different “specialists”
and, in the course of resolving the problem, will most likely come into contact with many different
medical professionals. Due to this complexity of the U.S. healthcare system, it is important for
interpreters to be familiar with the names and descriptions of all types of medical professionals in case an
LEP patient becomes confused by the title and qualifications of the healthcare provider. The following
chart is useful to healthcare interpreters for that purpose, and deserves a careful review.
PROVIDER
(SPA translation
in blue font)
AB
R.
Chiropractor
(Quiropráctico)
DC
Doctor (physician)
(Doctor)
MD
Osteopath
(Osteópata)
DO
1
LOCATION
OF WORK
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Private practice,
clinics,
chiropractic
hospitals
All medical
settings
Use manipulation of the body, especially the
spine, to improve health and relieve pain. May
use X‐rays, water, heat, light, diet and exercise
therapy in the treatment of patients.
Evaluate and treat illness. Perform medical
examinations, diagnose illnesses, and treat
people who are suffering from injury or disease.
Also advise patients on good health practices.
Medical centers,
private practice,
osteopathic
hospitals
Osteopathic doctors emphasizes seeing the
patient as a “totally integrated, whole person”
and treats all aspects of the patient’s health
needs. Osteopathic treatment also places special
emphasis on the body’s musculoskeletal system.
EDUCATIONAL
BACKGROUND
(AFTER HIGH
SCHOOL)
2 years of undergraduate
study + 4 years of chiropractic
college; licensure required.
12‐20 years after high school.
After completion of a
bachelor’s degree and
medical school, most states
require students to enter a 1
or 2‐year
internship/residency
programs. Most MDs
complete 3 or 4 years of
residency. Physicians seeking
certification in a field of
specialty are required to
spend from 3 to 6 years in
advanced residency training
followed by 2 or more years
of practice in that specialty.
Bachelor’s degree + 3‐4 years
of study. Osteopaths are
physicians who receive their
training in osteopathic
medical schools. About 75%
of all Doctors of Osteopathy
are general practitioners or
primary care providers.
This list was prepared by a LanguageLine Interpreter, Lorena Martin, for training purposes.
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Dentist (Dentista,
Odontólogo)
DDS
Private practice,
medical centers
Evaluate and treat tooth and gum problems.
Diagnose and treat ailments of the gums and
teeth. Fill cavities, extract teeth and provide
dentures. Areas of specialty include oral surgery
and orthodontics.
Orthodontist
(Ortodoncista)
DDS
Private practice,
medical centers
Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in
straightening teeth. They are involved in
diagnosis, treatment and prevention, as well as in
the design and use of corrective appliances, such
as braces.
Dental
Assistant
(Asistente dental)
‐
Assist dentist during a variety of procedures;
make temporary crowns and X‐rays; take and
develop dental X‐rays, sterilize instruments and
equipment and take impressions of patients’
teeth.
Dental Hygienist
(Higienista dental)
RDH
Optometrist
(Optometrista)
OD
Solo dental
practices,
group practices,
specialty
practices,
public health
dentistry, and
hospital dental
clinics.
General dental
practices, as well
as in specialty
practices such as
periodontics or
pediatric
dentistry; also,
hospitals, nursing
homes and public
health clinics
Medical centers,
private practice,
clinics, hospitals,
health
maintenance
organizations,
and retail optical
stores.
Clean teeth and place fillings. Provide preventive
dental care and encourage patients to develop
good oral hygiene skills. Perform patient
screening procedures, such as taking and
developing X‐rays, assessment of oral health
conditions, review of the health history, oral
cancer screening, head and neck inspection,
dental charting and taking blood pressure and
pulse. Perform documentation and office
management activities.
Examine people’s eyes to diagnose vision
problems and eye diseases. Use instruments and
observation to examine eye health and to test
patients’ visual acuity, depth and color
perception, and their ability to focus and
coordinate the eyes. Analyze test results and
develop a treatment plan. Prescribe eyeglasses
and contact lenses, and provide vision therapy
and low‐vision rehabilitation. Administer drugs
to patients to aid in the diagnosis of eye vision
problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye
diseases. Often provide pre‐ and postoperative
care to cataract, laser vision correction, and other
eye surgery patients. Also, diagnose conditions
due to systemic diseases, such as diabetes and
high blood pressure. If evidence of eye disease is
8‐10 years after high school.
Dental schools require a
minimum of 3 to 4 years of
college‐level pre‐dental
education. Students then
attend dental school for four
years, with an additional two
to four years for a specialty.
Same initial requirements as
dentists; currently, about 17
states require dentists to
obtain a specialty license
before practicing as a
specialist. Requirements
include 2 to 4 years of
postgraduate education and,
in some cases, completion of
a special state examination.
Most state licenses permit
dentists to engage in both
general and specialized
practice.
0‐2 years.
3 years. Most programs
require applicants to
complete at least one year of
undergraduate study while a
number of dental hygiene
schools require a minimum of
two years of college.
Licensure examination
required.
3‐4 years of college. The
Doctor of Optometry degree
requires completion of a 4‐
year program at an accredited
optometry school preceded
by at least 3 years of pre‐
optometric study at an
accredited college or
university
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Ophthalmologist
(Oftalmólogo)
Dispensing
Optician
(Dispensario
óptico, consultorio
óptico)
MD
Hospitals,
medical centers,
and individual
and group
practice
‐
Medical offices,
retail stores
Podiatrist
(Podiatra,
Podólogo)
DPM
Most podiatrists
are solo
practitioners,
although more
are entering
partnerships and
multi‐specialty
group practices.
Others are
employed in
hospitals, nursing
homes, and
public health
agencies.
Social Worker
(Trabajador(a)
social)
MSW
Hospitals,
psychiatric
hospitals, mental
health centers,
community
centers,
rehabilitation
centers, nursing
homes, public
present, the optometrist will normally refer the
client to an ophthalmologist, a physician whose
specialty is the eye.
Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in
diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries of
the eye. Perform examinations of the internal
and external structures of the eye, order
laboratory tests, prescribe medications and
treatments, evaluate vision and prescribe
corrective lenses such as eyeglasses and contact
lenses. Also perform eye surgery.
Examine written prescriptions to determine lens
specifications. Recommend eyeglass frames,
lenses, and lens coatings, measure clients’ eyes,
verify prescriptions with the examining
optometrist or ophthalmologist, and prepare
work orders for lenses and frames. Instruct
clients about adapting to, wearing, or caring for
eyeglasses. Some specialize in fitting contacts,
artificial eyes, or cosmetic shells to cover
blemished eyes. They also keep records on
customer prescriptions, work orders and
payments, track inventory and sales, and perform
other administrative duties.
Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in
diagnosing and treating a variety of foot and
lower leg disorders and injuries. They take X‐
rays, prescribe medication, perform surgery and
admit patients to the hospital. They are trained
to treat fractures and sprains as well as to
provide routine foot care. They treat corns,
calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions, heel spurs,
and arch problems; ankle and foot injuries,
deformities and infections; and foot complaints
associated with diseases such as diabetes. They
prescribe drugs, order physical therapy, set
fractures, and perform surgery. They also fit
corrective inserts called orthotics, design plaster
casts and strappings to correct deformities, and
design custom‐made shoes.
Help patients access social services. Provide
counseling services on marriage, family, and
adoption matters, and help people through
personal or community emergencies, such as
dealing with loss or grief or arranging for disaster
assistance. Help people locate basic benefits,
such as income assistance, housing, and job
training. Also offer counseling to those receiving
therapy for addictive or physical disorders.
Ophthalmologists must earn a
bachelor’s degree and then a
four‐year medical degree
from an accredited medical
school. A one‐year internship
in medicine or surgery is
followed by a three to four‐
year residency. They are then
eligible to take an exam and
be certified by the American
Board of Ophthalmology.
Specialization in an advanced
area of ophthalmology may
require one or more years of
fellowship training beyond
the residency.
A 2‐year Associate’s Degree
program, or 2‐ to 4‐year
apprenticeships. There are
also shorter programs of one
year or less. A licensure exam
is required.
Bachelor’s degree + 4 years.
The professional training is a
four‐year program similar to
medical school. Also, 1‐2
years of residency.
Specialties include surgery,
orthopedics, primary care, or
public health. Besides these
board‐certified specialties,
podiatrists may practice a
subspecialty such as sports
medicine, pediatrics,
dermatology, radiology,
geriatrics, or diabetic foot
care.
6 years. A master’s in social
work (MSW) is necessary for
positions in health and
mental health settings and
typically is required for
certification for clinical work.
Licensure is required by all
states.
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Counselor
(Consejero(a))
MA
MSW
health agencies,
home health
agencies, and
private practice.
Healthcare
facilities,
residential care
facilities, drug
and alcohol
rehabilitation
programs,
government
agencies, health
maintenance
organizations,
insurance
companies, group
practice, and
private practice
Provide clinical or diagnostic testing services
covering a wide range of personal disorders.
Emphasize prevention and work with individuals
and groups to promote optimum mental health.
Help individuals deal with addictions and
substance abuse, suicide, stress management,
problems with self‐esteem, issues associated with
aging, issues of mental and emotional health, and
family, parenting and marital problems. Work
closely with other mental health specialists,
including psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical
social workers, psychiatric nurses and school
counselors.
6 years. Licensure required
by some states; national
certification is also available.
Psychologist
(Psicólogo)
PhD,
Psy. D.
Hospitals, clinics,
schools,
correctional
facilities,
counseling
centers,
independent or
group practices
or private
settings
Help mentally and emotionally disturbed clients
adjust to life and help medical and surgical
patients deal with illnesses or injuries. Also help
people deal with times of personal crisis, such as
divorce or the death of a loved one. Interview
patients, give diagnostic tests, provide individual,
family, or group psychotherapy, and design and
implement behavior modification programs.
Sometimes collaborate with physicians and other
specialists to develop and implement treatment
and intervention programs.
Psychiatrist
(Psiquiatra)
MD
Community
mental health
centers,
psychiatric
hospitals, and
private practice
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize
in diagnosing, treating and preventing mental and
emotional problems. As physicians, they can
order tests and prescribe medications that can
help patients. They often work as part of a
treatment team, including nurses, social workers,
psychologists, occupational therapists and when
possible, the patient’s family.
ARNP
Hospitals, clinics
Those of an ARNP working in family practice.
10 years. A doctoral degree is
usually required for
employment as a licensed
clinical or counseling
psychologist. They must
meet certification or licensing
requirements in all States and
the District of Columbia.
Clinical and counseling
psychologists usually require
a doctorate in psychology,
completion of an approved
internship, and 1 to 2 years of
professional experience.
Training as a psychiatrist
comes after completion of a
bachelor’s degree, a four‐year
medical degree, and a four‐
year residency. Certification
can then be sought from the
American Board of Psychiatry
and Neurology. State
licensure is also required.
Same as ARNP.
ARNP
Hospitals, clinics
Those of an ARNP working in pediatrics.
ARNP + 1‐year fellowship.
Family Nurse
Practitioner
(Enfermera
facultativa de
familia)
Pediatric Nurse
Practitioner
(Enfermera
facultativa de
pediatria)
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Certified Nurse
Midwife (Partera
certificada)
Clinical Nurse
Specialist
(Enfermera clínica
facultativa/
especializada)
CNM
Hospitals
Similar to an ARNP for attending births.
Specialize in delivering babies and in women’s
health issues associated with obstetrics.
RN/BSN + 2 years.
CNS
Medical centers
Like NPs, can make diagnoses and, in most states,
have prescription‐writing privileges.
Licensed Practical
Nurse (also known
as licensed
vocational nurses
in California and
Texas) (Enfermera
practicante
licensiada)
LPN
(or
LVN)
All medical
settings,
including
hospitals, nursing
homes, home
healthcare
services, medical
centers,
physicians’
offices, and
outpatient clinics
All medical
settings,
including clinics,
surgical centers,
emergency
rooms,
outpatient
centers, home
care, hospitals
and HMOs. Also,
in government
and private
agencies
Private agencies
or hospitals.
Carry out basic bedside care such as taking
temperatures, preparing and giving injections,
and collecting blood and fluid samples. May also
complete basic secretarial tasks, such as making
appointments and keeping records. Work under
the supervision of physicians or registered
nurses. In most states are allowed to administer
prescription medications.
Most are trained in a specific
area of expertise, such as
oncology, pediatrics, or
obstetrics, and become
certified and work within that
area.
1 ½ years + licensure.
Registered Nurse
(Enfermera
diplomada
/certificada)
RN
Home Healthcare
Nurse (Enfermera
de asistencia en el
hogar)
RN
Certified
Registered Nurse
Anesthetist
(Enfermera
anestesista
diplomada/
certificada)
Certified Nursing
Assistant
(Asistente
certificado(a) de
geriatría)
CRNA
CAN
A variety of
health‐care
settings, such as
operating rooms,
ambulances, and
dentists’ offices
Nursing home,
hospitals,
bedside care
Like all nurses, staff nurses in hospitals assess
their patients’ conditions, administer
medications, interpret and carry out physicians’
orders, and make sure their patients are
comfortable and being taken care of properly.
2, 3 or 4 years.
Visit a patient’s home to assess his or her
condition, and carry out instructions prescribed
by the patient’s physician. After assessing
patients’ home environments, they care for and
instruct patients and their families. Home health
nurses care for a broad range of patients, such as
those recovering from illnesses and accidents,
cancer and child birth. They must be able to
work independently and may supervise home
health aides.
Deliver anesthetics to patients.
Same as RN (2, 3 or 4 years).
Work under the direction of other healthcare
professionals. Duties include taking the blood
pressure, temperature, and pulse of patients.
Help patients get in and out of bed, take baths,
and dress. Also serve meals and perform
housekeeping chores like making beds and
1 year. Some hospitals offer
on‐the‐job training.
RN/BSN + 2 years.
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‐
Hospitals, nursing
homes, home‐
care settings, and
psychiatric wards
Medical Assistant
(Asistente médico)
MA
Ambulatory
settings such as
medical offices
and outpatient
clinics, as well as
hospitals, nursing
homes, and other
healthcare
facilities
Physician’s
Assistant
(Asistente de
fisiatra)
PA
Any setting in
which the
physician renders
care
EMT
Advanced life‐
support units and
ambulance
services
MA,
RD
Medical centers,
public health
agencies,
hospitals, nursing
homes, home
health agencies,
and health
maintenance
organizations
Private practice,
hospitals,
doctors’ offices,
speech, language,
and hearing
centers, home
health agencies,
and schools
Nurses’ Aide
(Asistente de
enfermeria)
Emergency medical
technician
(paramedic)
(Paramédico,
Técnico de
emergencias)
Dietitian/
Nutritionist
(Dietista o
Especialista en
nutricion)
Audiologist
(Audiólogo)
MS
cleaning rooms. Observe the patient’s physical,
emotional, and mental status and report any
changes to the medical or nursing staff.
Help staff nurses in such tasks as bathing and
feeding patients and taking temperatures.
Function as members of the healthcare delivery
team and perform administrative and clinical
procedures. Medical assistants perform routine
administrative and clinical tasks to keep the
offices and clinics of physicians, podiatrists,
chiropractors, and optometrists running
smoothly. They should not be confused with
physician assistants who examine, diagnose, and
treat patients under the direct supervision of a
physician.
Care for patients and prescribes, under the
supervision of a doctor of medicine or
osteopathy, who is ultimately responsible for
patient care. Functions include performing
diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and health
maintenance services, to allow for a more
effective and focused application of the
physician’s particular knowledge and skills.
Work under the direction and supervision of a
physician, often through radio communication.
Recognize, assess, and manage medical
emergencies of acutely ill or injured patients in
pre‐hospital care settings.
Training in high school or
college.
Programs are either 2 years
(resulting in an associate
degree), or 1 year in length
(resulting in a certificate or
diploma).
BA/BS/experience + 2 years
training.
Instruction dealing specifically
with emergency medical care
requires anywhere from 600
to 1,000 hours of instruction.
Requires a field internship.
Develop medical nutrition therapy for special
needs and counsels patients. Plan food and
nutrition programs and supervise the preparation
and serving of meals. Help prevent and treat
illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits,
scientifically evaluating clients’ diets, and
suggesting diet modifications.
4 years + 1 year internship;
some have 6 years.
Measure hearing. Identify, assess, and manage
auditory, balance, and other neural systems. Use
audiometers, computers, and other testing
devices to measure a person’s ability to
distinguish between sounds, and the nature and
extent of hearing loss. Interpret these results and
coordinate them with medical, educational, and
psychological information to make a diagnosis
and determine a course of treatment. May also
recommend, fit, and dispense personal or large
area amplification systems, such as hearing aids
and alerting devices.
6 years. Licensure
requirements include a
master’s degree or
equivalent, 300 to 375 hours
of supervised clinical
experience, a passing score
on a national examination,
and 9 months of
postgraduate professional
clinical experience.
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Speech‐Language
Pathologist
(Patólogo(a) del
habla / lenguaje)
Occupational
Therapist
(Terapeuta
Ocupacional)
Physical Therapist
(Terapeuta físico)
MS
Private practice,
hospitals,
doctors’ offices,
speech, language,
and hearing
centers, home
health agencies,
and schools
‐
Hospitals, private
practice, nursing
homes,
rehabilitation
centers, and
adult daycare
centers
PT (4),
MSPT
(6)
Medical centers,
nursing homes,
hospitals,
residential
institutions,
home care, public
health agencies,
and private
practice
Medical centers,
oncology centers
Radiation Therapist
(Terapeuta de
radiación)
‐
Registered
Respiratory
Therapist
(Terapeuta
respiratorio
inscrito/registrado)
Orthotist
(Ortesista)
RRT
Prosthetist
(Protesista)
Doctor of
Pharmacy (Doctor
en Farmacología,
farmacéutico)
Pharmacist
‐
‐
Pharm
D.
RPh
Hospitals, home
health agencies,
respiratory
therapy clinics,
and nursing
homes
Hospitals,
rehabilitation
centers
Hospitals,
rehabilitation
centers
Work in hospital
teams or in group
practice with
private
physicians.
Hospitals,
Assess, treat, and help to prevent speech,
language, cognitive, communication, voice,
swallowing, fluency and other related disorders.
Use written and oral tests, as well as special
instruments, to diagnose the nature and extent of
impairment and to record and analyze speech,
language, and swallowing irregularities. Develop
an individualized plan of care, tailored to each
patient’s needs. Help patients develop or recover
reliable communication skills. Also work with
family members to recognize and change
behavior patterns that impede communication
and treatment and show them communication‐
enhancing techniques to use at home.
Use purposeful activity and interventions to
maximize the independence and health
maintenance of any individual who is limited by a
physical injury or illness, a cognitive impairment,
psychosocial dysfunction, mental illness,
developmental or learning disability, or an
adverse environmental condition.
Treat joint problems and disabilities through
exercise and heat/cold. Plan individual programs
for patients, using exercise, massage, heat, water,
light and electrical treatments. Conduct
diagnostic tests on muscle, nerve and joint
functions. Educate patients in postural control
and exercise that can be continued after hospital
stays.
6 years. Licensure
requirements include a
master’s degree or
equivalent, 300 to 375 hours
of supervised clinical
experience, a passing score
on a national examination,
and 9 months of
postgraduate professional
clinical experience.
Programs at the
baccalaureate level entail 4
years of college or university
preparation.
Postbaccalaureate programs
leading to a certificate or
master’s degree are generally
2 years in length. Also
requires a national
certification examination.
4‐6 years. Licensure is
required.
Administer radiation therapy services to patients.
Provide appropriate patient care, exercise
judgment in the administration of prescribed
courses of treatment, tumor localization and
dosimetry, and maintain pertinent records.
Administer treatment for respiratory problems
under the supervision of a physician. May be
required to exercise considerable independent
clinical judgment in the respiratory care of
patients.
Programs may be 1, 2, or 4
years in length, depending on
program design, objectives,
and the degree or certificate
awarded.
2‐3 years + 1 year experience;
programs are usually 2 years
in length, leading to an
associate degree or, in a few
instances, to a baccalaureate
degree.
Design and fit devices, known as orthoses, or
provide care to patients who have disabling
conditions of the limbs and spine.
Design and fit devices, known as prostheses, for
patients who have a partial or total absence of a
limb.
Make recommendations to MDs on drug therapy,
assist physicians in the prescription of drugs, and
advise and educate patients in the proper use of
drugs.
4 years of college;
baccalaureate degree.
Dispense medication under doctor’s orders and
5 years; most Colleges of
4 years of college; bachelor’s
degree.
6 years.
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drugstores, and
community
pharmacies
(Farmacéutico)
counsel patients; provide information about
drugs and drug treatments; dispense drugs
prescribed by physicians, podiatrists, and
dentists.
Dispense medications, data entry, triage
Pharmacy programs are 5
years and result in a Bachelor
of Science degree in
Pharmacy.
1 ½‐2 years.
Pharmacy Assistant
A
(Asistente de
farmacia tipo A)
Pharmacy Assistant
B
(Asistente de
farmacia tipo B)
Diagnostic Medical
Sonographer
(Asistente de
sonografia)
‐
Hospitals,
drugstores, and
community
pharmacies
‐
Hospitals,
drugstores, and
community
pharmacies
Clerical work.
None
‐
Medical centers,
hospitals,
physicians’
offices and
clinics, and
diagnostic
imaging centers
Provide patient services, using medical
ultrasound under the supervision of a physician.
Assist the physician in gathering sonographic data
necessary to diagnose a variety of conditions and
diseases. Sonographers explain the procedure,
record additional medical history, select
appropriate equipment settings and use various
patient positions, as necessary.
Phlebotomist
(Flebotomista)
‐
Hospitals,
medical
laboratories,
physicians’
offices and
clinics, and blood
banks
Collect blood samples from patients for testing
purposes. Usually work under the supervision of
medical technologists or laboratory managers.
Radiographer
(Radiógrafo)
‐
Medical centers,
hospitals,
physicians’
offices and
clinics, and
diagnostic
imaging centers
Provide patient services using imaging
equipment, as directed by physicians qualified to
order and/or perform radiological procedures.
Radiographers produce X‐ray films (radiographs)
of parts of the human body for use in diagnosing
medical problems. They prepare patients for
radiological examinations and protect them from
unnecessary radiation exposure. Experienced
radiographers may perform more complex
imaging tests, such as fluoroscopies, CT scans, or
MRIs.
Programs may be 1, 2, or 4
years in duration.
Sonographers may specialize
in neurosonography (the
brain), vascular (blood flows),
echocardiography (the heart),
abdominal (the liver, kidneys,
spleen, and pancreas),
obstetrics/gynecology (the
female reproductive system),
and ophthalmology (the eye).
1 year phlebotomy programs
are offered at
vocational/technical schools
awarding diplomas and 2 year
phlebotomy programs are
offered at
community colleges awarding
associate degrees.
Programs are generally two to
four years in length,
depending on program
design, objectives, and the
degree or certificate
awarded.
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