Attachment A.5.a.
Explore Alternative Titles for Occupational Therapy Assistants (2006C334)
Allied Health Professions – Assistants/Technicians – Title, Education/Training and Description
Profession
Physical Therapy
Speech-language
Pathology
Title
Physical
Therapist
Assistant
SpeechLanguage
Pathology
Assistant
Education/Training
Physical therapist assistants typically earn an
associate degree from an accredited physical
therapist assistant program. Not all States
require licensure or registration in order for
the physical therapist assistant to practice.
The States that require licensure stipulate
specific educational and examination criteria.
Course work, supervised fieldwork specific to
job responsibilities, on-the-job training, and
demonstrated technical proficiency and
workplace behaviors of a speech-language
pathology assistant are recommended. This
type of training is typically received from an
associate degree technical training program
for speech language pathology assistants.
Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in
speech-language pathology are not
automatically qualified to be speechlanguage pathology assistants. (ASHA’s
Guidelines for the Training, Use, and
Supervision of Speech-Language Pathology
Assistant)
Description
Physical therapist assistants perform components of physical therapy
procedures and related tasks selected by a supervising physical therapist.
These workers assist physical therapists in providing services that help
improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical
disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Patients include
accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back
pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
Physical therapist assistants perform a variety of tasks. Components of
treatment procedures performed by these workers, under the direction and
supervision of physical therapists, involve exercises, massages, electrical
stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound.
Physical therapist assistants record the patient’s responses to treatment
and report the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist.
Speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) are support personnel
who, following academic and/or on-the-job training, perform tasks
prescribed, directed, and supervised by ASHA-certified speech-language
pathologists. There are typically two levels of support personnel – aides
and assistants. Based on level of training, these support personnel may
have a different scope of responsibilities in the work setting. Aides, for
example, have a different, usually narrower, training base and a more
limited scope of responsibilities than speech-language pathology
assistants. States may use different terminology to refer to support
personnel in speech-language pathology (e.g., communication aides,
paraprofessionals, service extenders). Speech-language pathology
assistants have been used and regulated by many states since the 1970s.
ASHA has had guidelines for the use of support personnel since 1969.
Attention to the use of assistants has increased as professionals seek
mechanisms for expanding services and containing costs. In November
2000, ASHA began development of an approval process for associate
degree SLPA training programs and a registration process for SLPAs.
The approval process was effective January 2002, and the registration
process was effective January 2003. However, at its Spring 2003
meeting, ASHA's Legislative Council voted to discontinue both the
registration program for SLPAs and the approval process for SLPA training
programs as of December 31, 2003, due to financial reasons.
Profession
Psychology
Title
Psychological
Assistant
Education/Training
A psychological assistant need not have any
experience but must have at least a
qualifying master’s degree in psychology; a
psychological assistant can be employed and
supervised by a licensed psychologist (or a
board-certified psychiatrist) in a private
setting.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Technicians
Although most pharmacy technicians receive
informal on-the-job training, employers favor
those who have completed formal training
and certification. However, there are
currently few State and no Federal
requirements for formal training or
certification of pharmacy technicians.
Employers who have insufficient resources to
give on-the-job training often seek formally
educated pharmacy technicians. Formal
education programs and certification
emphasize the technician’s interest in and
dedication to the work. In addition to the
military, some hospitals, proprietary schools,
2
Description
Under the supervision of a licensed physiologist or board certified
psychologist, participates in staff conferences to select, plan, and evaluate
treatment programs. Consults with medical, nursing and psychiatric staff
regarding diagnosis, strengths and deficits as determined by psychological
and neuropsychological assessment and evaluation. Provides outpatient
psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families and groups. Instructs and
counsels patients and their families regarding compliance with prescribed
therapeutic regimens and adherence to prescribed mediation regimens,
within the scope of practice. May administer specialized therapeutic
procedures such as biofeedback and hypnosis. Develops and conducts
psychoeducational classes and groups and provides appropriate support
to member’s family, usually with a licensed cotherapist. Conducts
psychological, development, and cognitive deficit assessments, including
test administration, interpretation, and recommendation. Prepares intake
summaries, treatment plans, and case summaries and maintains ongoing
confidential records. Charts member’s treatment and progress in accord
with state and NCQA regulations and in keeping with accepted community
standards. Collaborates with physicians in screening and evaluating
patients for psychotropic medications, within the scope of practice. Utilizes
resources of public and private agencies and community organizations to
meet the needs of the member’s treatment. Develops, implements, and
evaluates behavioral medicine and health psychology programs in a
variety of settings, including primary care. Provides consultation to primary
care providers and health educators on matters relating to health
psychology and behavioral medicine.
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and
other health care products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine
tasks to help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting
tablets and labeling bottles. Technicians refer any questions regarding
prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist.
Pharmacy aides work closely with pharmacy technicians. They often are
clerks or cashiers who primarily answer telephones, handle money, stock
shelves, and perform other clerical duties. Pharmacy technicians usually
perform more complex tasks than do pharmacy aides, although in some
States their duties and job titles may overlap.
Pharmacy technicians who work in retail or mail-order pharmacies have
varying responsibilities, depending on State rules and regulations.
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
vocational or technical colleges, and
community colleges offer formal education
programs.
Formal pharmacy technician education
programs require classroom and laboratory
work in a variety of areas, including medical
and pharmaceutical terminology,
pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy
recordkeeping, pharmaceutical techniques,
and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians
also are required to learn medication names,
actions, uses, and doses. Many training
programs include internships, in which
students gain hands-on experience in actual
pharmacies. Students receive a diploma, a
certificate, or an associate’s degree,
depending on the program.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
administers the National Pharmacy
Technician Certification Examination. This
exam is voluntary in most States and
displays the competency of the individual to
act as a pharmacy technician. However,
more States and employers are requiring
certification as reliance on pharmacy
technicians grows. Eligible candidates must
have a high school diploma or GED and no
felony convictions, and those who pass the
exam earn the title of Certified Pharmacy
Technician (CPhT). The exam is offered
several times per year at various locations
nationally. Employers—often pharmacists—
know that individuals who pass the exam
have a standardized body of knowledge and
skills. Many employers also will reimburse
the costs of the exam as an incentive for
certification.
3
Description
Technicians receive written prescriptions or requests for prescription refills
from patients. They also may receive prescriptions sent electronically from
the doctor’s office. They must verify that the information on the prescription
is complete and accurate. To prepare the prescription, technicians must
retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medication.
Then, they prepare the prescription labels, select the type of prescription
container, and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to the container.
Once the prescription is filled, technicians price and file the prescription,
which must be checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient.
Technicians may establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare
insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and
over-the-counter medications.
In hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted-living facilities, technicians have
added responsibilities, including reading patients’ charts and preparing
and delivering the medicine to patients. Still, the pharmacist must check
the order before it is delivered to the patient. The technician then copies
the information about the prescribed medication onto the patient’s profile.
Technicians also may assemble a 24-hour supply of medicine for every
patient. They package and label each dose separately. The packages are
then placed in the medicine cabinets of patients until the supervising
pharmacist checks them for accuracy. The packages are then given to the
patients.
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
Description
Certified technicians must be recertified
every 2 years. Technicians must complete 20
contact hours of pharmacy-related topics
within the 2-year certification period to
become eligible for recertification. Contact
hours are awarded for on-the-job training,
attending lectures, and college coursework.
At least 1 contact hour must be in pharmacy
law. Contact hours can be earned from
several different sources, including pharmacy
associations, pharmacy colleges, and
pharmacy technician training programs. Up
to 10 contact hours can be earned when the
technician is employed under the direct
supervision and instruction of a pharmacist.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Aides
Most pharmacy aides receive informal onthe-job training, but employers favor those
with at least a high school diploma.
Prospective pharmacy aides with experience
working as cashiers may have an advantage
when applying for jobs. Employers also
prefer applicants with strong customer
service and communication skills, experience
managing inventories, and experience using
computers. Aides entering the field need
strong spelling, reading, and mathematics
skills.
Pharmacy aides almost always are trained
on the job. They may begin by observing a
more experienced worker. After they become
familiar with the store’s equipment, policies,
and procedures, they begin to work on their
own. Once they become experienced, aides
are not likely to receive additional training,
except when new equipment is introduced or
when policies or procedures change.
4
Pharmacy aides help licensed pharmacists with administrative duties in
running a pharmacy. Aides often are clerks or cashiers who primarily
answer telephones, handle money, stock shelves, and perform other
clerical duties. They work closely with pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy
technicians usually perform more complex tasks than do aides, although in
some States the duties and titles of the jobs overlap. Aides refer any
questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a
pharmacist.
Aides have several important duties that help the pharmacy to function
smoothly. They may establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare
insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and
over-the-counter medications. Accurate recordkeeping is necessary to
help avert dangerous drug interactions. In addition, because many people
have medical insurance to help pay for prescriptions, it is essential that
pharmacy aides correspond efficiently and correctly with the third-party
insurance providers to obtain payment. Pharmacy aides also maintain
inventory and inform the supervisor of stock needs so that the pharmacy
does not run out of the vital medications that customers need. Some also
clean pharmacy equipment, help with the maintenance of equipment and
supplies, and manage the cash register.
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
Description
Chiropractic
Chiropractic
Technician
Most employers want chiropractic assistants
to have a high school diploma or GED. The
National Academy of Chiropractic Assistants
offers a four-month training program that
covers 16 different subjects and awards a
certificate of completion diploma.(Career
Prospects in Virginia)
Chiropractic technicians (CTs) work under the supervision of chiropractors
to provide a wide variety of therapeutic treatments. Chiropractic assistant
(CA) is a generic term for any staff member who works with a chiropractor.
The term chiropractic technician (CT) is generally used for a CA who has
had formal or extensive on-the-job training in the areas of radiology or
back-office procedures.
Chiropractic technicians work under the supervision of chiropractors to
provide not only spinal manipulation, but a wide variety of therapeutic
treatments which can include heat, electricity, water and ultrasound
therapies. Chiropractic technicians usually have formal or extensive onthe-job training in the areas of radiology or other medical procedures. They
perform preliminary exam procedures, take case histories, operate
medical equipment, take x-rays, take specimens and perform lab tests.
While technicians usually perform more clinical duties, chiropractic
assistants usually perform clerical tasks associated with medical records
and appointments. (Although the titles assistants and technicians are
sometimes used interchangeably.) They may do bookkeeping and billing,
process insurance forms, and speak with patients about the philosophy of
chiropractic medicine through lay lectures on nutrition and exercise
Chiropractic
Assistant
Social and
Human Services
Social and
human
service
assistant
While a bachelor’s degree usually is not
required for entry into this occupation,
employers increasingly seek individuals with
relevant work experience or education
beyond high school. Certificates or associate
degrees in subjects such as social work,
human services, gerontology, or one of the
social or behavioral sciences meet most
employers’ requirements. Some jobs may
5
The chiropractic assistant assists the chiropractor in the two criteria for a
successful office: patient management and office management. The C.A.
may be actively involved in patient care by performing such tasks as a new
patient interview, education of the patient, performing an exam, taking xrays, etc. The chiropractic assistant also aids with office management by
using the telephone to make appointments, collecting money, billing
insurance companies and performing many other related tasks. High
school CTE or postsecondary program in medical assisting.
Social and human service assistant is a generic term for people with a
wide array of job titles, including human service worker, case management
aide, social work assistant, community support worker, mental health aide,
community outreach worker, life skill counselor, or gerontology aide. They
usually work under the direction of workers from a variety of fields, such as
nursing, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitative or physical therapy, or social
work. The amount of responsibility and supervision they are given varies a
great deal. Some have little direct supervision; others work under close
direction.
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in
human services or a related field such as
counseling, rehabilitation, or social work.
Human services degree programs have a
core curriculum that trains students to
observe patients and record information,
conduct patient interviews, implement
treatment plans, employ problem-solving
techniques, handle crisis intervention
matters, and use proper case management
and referral procedures. General education
courses in liberal arts, sciences, and the
humanities also are part of the curriculum.
Most programs offer the opportunity to take
specialized courses related to addictions,
gerontology, child protection, and other
areas. Many degree programs require
completion of a supervised internship.
Educational attainment often influences the
kind of work employees may be assigned
and the degree of responsibility that may be
entrusted to them. For example, workers with
no more than a high school education are
likely to receive extensive on-the-job training
to work in direct-care services, while
employees with a college degree might be
assigned to do supportive counseling,
coordinate program activities, or manage a
group home. Social and human service
assistants with proven leadership ability,
either from previous experience or as a
volunteer in the field, often have greater
autonomy in their work. Regardless of the
academic or work background of employees,
most employers provide some form of inservice training, such as seminars and
workshops, to their employees.
6
Description
Social and human service assistants provide direct and indirect client
services to ensure that individuals in their care reach their maximum level
of functioning. They assess clients’ needs, establish their eligibility for
benefits and services such as food stamps, Medicaid, or welfare, and help
to obtain them. They also arrange for transportation and escorts, if
necessary, and provide emotional support. Social and human service
assistants monitor and keep case records on clients and report progress to
supervisors and case managers.
Social and human service assistants play a variety of roles in a
community. They may organize and lead group activities, assist clients in
need of counseling or crisis intervention, or administer a food bank or
emergency fuel program. In halfway houses, group homes, and
government-supported housing programs, they assist adults who need
supervision with personal hygiene and daily living skills. They review
clients’ records, ensure that they take correct doses of medication, talk
with family members, and confer with medical personnel and other
caregivers to gain better insight into clients’ backgrounds and needs.
Social and human service assistants also provide emotional support and
help clients become involved in their own well-being, in community
recreation programs, and in other activities.
In psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation programs, and outpatient clinics,
social and human service assistants work with professional care providers,
such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, to help clients
master everyday living skills, communicate more effectively, and get along
better with others. They support the client’s participation in a treatment
plan, such as individual or group counseling or occupational therapy.
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
Description
There may be additional hiring requirements
in group homes. For example, employers
may require employees to have a valid
driver’s license or to submit to a criminal
background investigation.
Dentistry
Employers try to select applicants who have
a strong desire to help others, have effective
communication skills, a strong sense of
responsibility, and the ability to manage time
effectively. Many human services jobs
involve direct contact with people who are
vulnerable to exploitation or mistreatment;
therefore, patience, understanding, and a
strong desire to help others are highly valued
characteristics.
Most assistants learn their skills on the job,
although an increasing number are trained in
dental-assisting programs offered by
community and junior colleges, trade
schools, technical institutes, or the Armed
Forces. Assistants must be a second pair of
hands for a dentist; therefore, dentists look
for people who are reliable, work well with
others, and have good manual dexterity.
High school students interested in a career
as a dental assistant should take courses in
biology, chemistry, health, and office
practices.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation
within the American Dental Association
(ADA) approved 265 dental-assisting training
programs in 2005. Programs include
classroom, laboratory, and preclinical
instruction in dental-assisting skills and
related theory. In addition, students gain
practical experience in dental schools,
7
Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory
duties. They work chair side as dentists examine and treat patients. They
make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them
for treatment, and obtain their dental records. Assistants hand instruments
and materials to dentists and keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using
suction or other devices. Assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments
and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, and
instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care.
Some dental assistants prepare materials for impressions and
restorations, take dental x rays, and process x-ray film as directed by a
dentist. They also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums
or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the
filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for
individual treatment.
Those with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from
impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary
crowns. Dental assistants with office duties schedule and confirm
appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive
payments, and order dental supplies and materials.
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
clinics, or dental offices. Most programs take
1 year or less to complete and lead to a
certificate or diploma. Two-year programs
offered in community and junior colleges lead
to an associate degree. All programs require
a high school diploma or its equivalent, and
some require science or computer-related
courses for admission. A number of private
vocational schools offer 4-month to 6-month
courses in dental assisting, but the
Commission on Dental Accreditation does
not accredit these programs.
Description
Dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who are
licensed to perform different clinical tasks.
Most States regulate the duties that dental
assistants are allowed to perform through
licensure or registration. Licensure or
registration may require passing a written or
practical examination. States offering
licensure or registration have a variety of
schools offering courses—approximately 10
to 12 months in length—that meet their
State’s requirements. Other States require
dental assistants to complete State-approved
education courses of 4 to 12 hours in length.
Some States offer registration of other dental
assisting credentials with little or no
education required. Some States require
continuing education to maintain licensure or
registration. A few States allow dental
assistants to perform any function delegated
to them by the dentist.
Individual States have adopted different
standards for dental assistants who perform
certain advanced duties, such as radiological
procedures. Completion of the Radiation
Health and Safety examination offered by the
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
meets those standards in more than 30
8
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
States. Some States require completion of a
State-approved course in radiology as well.
Description
Certification is available through DANB and
is recognized or required in more than 30
States. Other organizations offer registration,
most often at the State level. Certification is
an acknowledgment of an assistant’s
qualifications and professional competence
and may be an asset when one is seeking
employment. Candidates may qualify to take
the DANB certification examination by
graduating from an ADA-accredited dental
assisting education program or by having 2
years of full-time, or 4 years of part-time,
experience as a dental assistant. In addition,
applicants must have current certification in
cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For annual
recertification, individuals must earn
continuing education credits.
Optometry
Optometry
Technician
One year of formal study or on-the-job
training is required to become an optometric
assistant. A two-year associate's degree is
required to become an optometric technician.
Nursing
Nursing,
Psychiatric,
and Home
Health Aides
In many cases, a high school diploma or
equivalent is necessary for a job as a nursing
or psychiatric aide. However, a high school
diploma generally is not required for jobs as
home health aides. Hospitals may require
previous experience as a nursing aide or
home health aide. Nursing care facilities
often hire inexperienced workers, who must
complete a minimum of 75 hours of
mandatory training and pass a competency
evaluation as part of a State-approved
training program within 4 months of their
9
Optometry, or optometric, technicians and assistants help optometrists in
eye examinations and corrective procedures. Their duties often include:
Patient billing and record keeping. Taking measurements. Explaining eye
exercises. Teaching patients to insert and remove contact lens. Cleaning
instruments and ordering supplies. Optometric technicians have more
advanced training than do assistants and perform more technical tasks.
Nursing aides—also known as nursing assistants, certified nursing
assistants, geriatric aides, unlicensed assistive personnel, orderlies, or
hospital attendants—perform routine tasks under the supervision of
nursing and medical staff. They answer patients’ call lights; deliver
messages; serve meals; make beds; and help patients to eat, dress, and
bathe. Aides also may provide skin care to patients; take their
temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure; and help
them to get into and out of bed and walk. They also may escort patients to
operating and examining rooms, keep patients’ rooms neat, set up
equipment, store and move supplies, and assist with some procedures.
Aides observe patients’ physical, mental, and emotional conditions and
report any change to the nursing or medical staff.
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
employment. Aides who complete the
program are known as certified nurse
assistants (CNAs) and are placed on the
State registry of nursing aides. Some States
also require psychiatric aides to complete a
formal training program. However, most
psychiatric aides learn their skills on the job
from experienced workers.
Nursing and psychiatric aide training is
offered in high schools, vocational-technical
centers, some nursing care facilities, and
some community colleges. Courses cover
body mechanics, nutrition, anatomy and
physiology, infection control, communication
skills, and resident rights. Personal care
skills, such as how to help patients to bathe,
eat, and groom themselves, also are taught.
Some employers provide classroom
instruction for newly hired aides, while others
rely exclusively on informal on-the-job
instruction by a licensed nurse or an
experienced aide. Such training may last
from several days to a few months. Aides
also may attend lectures, workshops, and inservice training.
The Federal Government has guidelines for
home health aides whose employers receive
reimbursement from Medicare. Federal law
requires home health aides to pass a
competency test covering a wide range of
areas: communication; documentation of
patient status and care provided; reading and
recording of vital signs; basic infectioncontrol procedures; basic bodily functions;
maintenance of a healthy environment;
emergency procedures; physical, emotional,
10
Description
Nursing aides employed in nursing care facilities often are the principal
caregivers, having far more contact with residents than do other members
of the staff. Because some residents may stay in a nursing care facility for
months or even years, aides develop ongoing relationships with them and
interact with them in a positive, caring way.
Home health aides help elderly, convalescent, or disabled persons live in
their own homes instead of in a health care facility. Under the direction of
nursing or medical staff, they provide health-related services, such as
administering oral medications. (Personal and home care aides, who
provide mainly housekeeping and routine personal care services, are
discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.) Like nursing aides, home health
aides may check patients’ pulse rate, temperature, and respiration rate;
help with simple prescribed exercises; keep patients’ rooms neat; and help
patients to move from bed, bathe, dress, and groom. Occasionally, they
change nonsterile dressings, give massages and alcohol rubs, or assist
with braces and artificial limbs. Experienced home health aides also may
assist with medical equipment such as ventilators, which help patients
breathe.
Most home health aides work with elderly or disabled persons who need
more extensive care than family or friends can provide. Some help
discharged hospital patients who have relatively short-term needs.
In home health agencies, a registered nurse, physical therapist, or social
worker usually assigns specific duties to and supervises home health
aides, who keep records of the services they perform and record each
patient’s condition and progress. The aides report changes in a patient’s
condition to the supervisor or case manager.
Psychiatric aides, also known as mental health assistants or psychiatric
nursing assistants, care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed
individuals. They work under a team that may include psychiatrists,
psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and therapists. In
addition to helping patients to dress, bathe, groom themselves, and eat,
psychiatric aides socialize with them and lead them in educational and
recreational activities. Psychiatric aides may play games such as cards
with the patients, watch television with them, or participate in group
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
and developmental characteristics of
patients; personal hygiene and grooming;
safe transfer techniques; normal range of
motion and positioning; and basic nutrition.
A home health aide may receive training
before taking the competency test. Federal
law suggests at least 75 hours of classroom
and practical training, supervised by a
registered nurse. Training and testing
programs may be offered by the employing
agency but must meet the standards of the
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
State regulations for training programs vary.
Description
activities, such as sports or field trips. They observe patients and report
any physical or behavioral signs that might be important for the
professional staff to know. They accompany patients to and from
examinations and treatment. Because they have such close contact with
patients, psychiatric aides can have a great deal of influence on their
patients’ outlook and treatment.
The National Association for Home Care
offers national certification for home health
aides. The certification is a voluntary
demonstration that the individual has met
industry standards. Some States also require
aides to be licensed.
Aides must be in good health. A physical
examination, including State-regulated tests
such as those for tuberculosis, may be
required. A criminal background check also is
usually required for employment.
Applicants should be tactful, patient,
understanding, emotionally stable, and
dependable and should have a desire to help
people. They also should be able to work as
part of a team, have good communication
skills, and be willing to perform repetitive,
routine tasks. Home health aides should be
honest and discreet, because they work in
private homes. They also will need access to
their own car or public transportation to reach
patients’ homes.
11
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
Description
For some individuals, these occupations
serve as entry-level jobs, as in the case of
high school and college students who may
work while also attending school. In addition,
experience as an aide can help individuals
decide whether to pursue a career in health
care. Opportunities for advancement within
these occupations are limited. Aides
generally need additional formal training or
education in order to enter other health
occupations. The most common health care
occupations for former aides are licensed
practical nurse, registered nurse, and
medical assistant.
Medicine
Physician
Assistants
All states require that PAs complete an
accredited, formal education program and
pass a National exam to obtain a license. PA
programs usually last at least 2 years and
are full time. Most programs are in schools of
allied health, academic health centers,
medical schools, or 4-year colleges; a few
are in community colleges, the military, or
hospitals. Many accredited PA programs
have clinical teaching affiliations with medical
schools.
PA programs offer a variety of credentials
and entry pathways, though all have to meet
the same accreditation standards and all
graduates must pass the same national
certifying examination to be able to practice.
Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of
physicians and surgeons. They should not be confused with medical
assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks. PAs are
formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health
care services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the
health care team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients,
order and interpret laboratory tests and x rays, and make diagnoses. They
also treat minor injuries, by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs record
progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out
therapy. In 48 States and the District of Columbia, physician assistants
may prescribe medications. PAs also may have managerial duties. Some
order medical supplies or equipment and supervise technicians and
assistants.
A college degree is not always required;
however, students need to have taken some
college-level courses before applying to a PA
program. Programs offering bachelor’s
degrees typically require a minimum of two
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AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
years of college credit. Master’s-level
programs typically require either a
bachelor’s degree or appropriate
undergraduate credit, with a minimum GPA
score. Most programs require health care
experience prior to admission. A
new model of program that has been
developing at several institutions
recently is designed for high school
graduates. In these programs, students
complete core college requirements in a
preprofessional phase and move
into the professional phase for training as a
PA. Frequently, these programs
award both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Description
Audiology
Audiologist
Assistant
The training received by an audiologist's
assistant may be an intense, regimented
program such as the technician program
provided by the military; a formal training
program offered by a college or university; or
a competency based training program
developed by the audiologist who supervises
the assistant. It is recommended that the
minimal educational background be a high
school diploma (or equivalent) and evidence
of competency-based training.
Regardless of the type and degree of
training, it is the responsibility of the
supervising audiologist to ensure that the
assistant is competent to perform the duties
assigned. The training should be well
documented and the assistant should be able
to demonstrate duty-specific competencies.
Further, it is expected that annual continuing
education be provided to maintain
proficiency. The supervising audiologist is
ultimately responsible for all the work
performed by the assistant.
Approximately one third of the states regulate the use of support
personnel. Most states have some form of registration for assistants,
several have licensure requirements. The state requirement for education
ranges from the need for a bachelor's degree to a high school or GED
equivalent to no specification of educational level. As evidenced by these
varied requirements, it would be necessary for each audiologist to
determine the state requirements for assistants they supervise.
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An audiologist's assistant is a person who, after appropriate training and
demonstrated competency, performs tasks that are prescribed, directed
and supervised by an audiologist. The role of the assistant is to support
the audiologist in performing routine tasks and duties so that the
audiologist is available for the more complex evaluative, diagnostic,
management and treatment required by the level of education and training
of a licensed audiologist.
The purpose of the audiologist's assistants is to improve access to patient
care by increasing availability of audiology services; increasing productivity
by reducing wait times and enhancing patient satisfaction; and reducing
costs by enabling assistants to perform tasks that do not require the skills
of a licensed audiologist. Some duties and responsibilities will require
direct supervision and some will require indirect supervision.
AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007
Profession
Title
Education/Training
Dietetics
Dietetic
Technician
Dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs), are
trained in food and nutrition and are an
integral part of health care and foodservice
management teams. DTRs have met the
following criteria to earn the DTR credential:
Complete at least a two-year associate's
degree at a U.S. regionally accredited
college or university.
Complete a dietetic technician program
accredited/approved by the Commission on
Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE)
of the American Dietetic Association (ADA),
including 450 hours of supervised practice
experience in various community programs,
health care, and foodservice facilities.
Pass a national, written examination
administered by the Commission on Dietetic
Registration (CDR).
Description
Examples of the types of services an assistant can perform (after
appropriate training and demonstration of competency) include: equipment
maintenance, hearing aid repair, neonatal screening, preparation of patient
for electrophysiologic and balance testing, hearing conservation and
assisting the audiologist in testing. Record-keeping, assisting in clinical
research, clerical duties and other administrative support functions can be
delegated to the assistant after full and complete training and delineation
of supervisory needs by the audiologist.
Dietetic technicians, registered work independently or in teams with
registered dietitians in a variety of employment settings, including health
care, business and industry, public health, foodservice, and research.
Many work environments require that an individual be credentialed as a
DTR. DTRs work in:
Hospitals, HMOs, clinics, nursing homes, retirement centers, hospices,
home health care programs, and research facilities, helping to treat and
prevent disease and administering medical nutrition therapy as an
important part of health care teams.
Schools, day-care centers, correctional facilities, restaurants, health care
facilities, corporations, and hospitals, managing employees, purchasing,
and food preparation, and preparing budgets within foodservice
operations.
WIC programs, public health agencies, Meals on Wheels, and community
health programs, developing and teaching nutrition classes for the public.
Health clubs, weight management clinics, and community wellness
centers, helping to educate clients about the connection between food,
fitness, and health.
Food companies, contract food management companies, or food vending
and distributing operations, developing menus, overseeing foodservice
sanitation and food safety, and preparing food labeling information and
nutrient analysis.
Complete continuing professional
educational requirements to maintain
registration
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AOTA State Affairs Group
February 2007