Medical credentials
Encyclopedia
Healthcare professional credentials are credentials awarded to healthcare practitioners as a way to standardize level of education and ability to provide care. The credentials are seen behind the name of the practitioner in order of most permanent to least permanent (i.e., Jane Doe, PhD
, RN
, CCRN).
Other common credentials
Radiology and Imaging
Surgery
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
, RN
RN
RN or Rn may stand for:* rn , a Usenet news client* RN the code for County Roscommon, Ireland* RN, the published memoirs of American President Richard Nixon* Air Horizons's IATA code...
, CCRN).
Common credentials in healthcare and medicine
The most commonly recognized credentials- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Registered NurseRegistered nurseA registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
(RN) - Registered Respiratory TherapistRegistered Respiratory TherapistA Registered Respiratory Therapist is a cardiopulmonary therapist and specialist who is required to exercise considerable independent clinical judgment in the respiratory care of patients...
(RRT) - Doctor of PharmacyDoctor of PharmacyA Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional doctorate degree in pharmacy. In some countries, it is a first professional degree, and a prerequisite for licensing to exercise the profession of pharmacist.-Kenya :...
(PharmD) - Physical Therapist (PT)
- Occupational TherapistOccupational therapistAn occupational therapist is trained in the practice of occupational therapy. The role of an occupational therapist is to work with a client to help them achieve a fulfilled and satisfied state in life through the use of "purposeful activity or interventions designed to achieve functional...
(OT) - ParamedicParamedicA paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
(EMT-P) - Physician assistantPhysician assistantA physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
(PA-C)
Other common credentials
- Registered Radiology Technologist (RT(R))
- Licensed Practical NurseLicensed Practical NurseLicensed practical nurse is the term used in much of the United States and most Canadian provinces to refer to a nurse who cares for "people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The term licensed vocational nurses is used in...
(LPN) - Certified Respiratory TherapistCertified Respiratory TherapistA Certified Respiratory Therapist , formerly Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician , is a therapist who has graduated from a respiratory therapy program at a university or college and has passed a national certification exam...
(CRT) - Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
- Emergency Medical TechnicianEmergency medical technicianEmergency Medical Technician or Ambulance Technician are terms used in some countries to denote a healthcare provider of emergency medical services...
(EMT-B)
Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Master of Science in NursingMaster of Science in NursingA Master of Science in Nursing is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for registered nurses and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree also may prepare a nurse to seek a career as a nurse administrator, health policy expert, or clinical nurse leader...
(MSN) - Bachelor of Science in NursingBachelor of Science in NursingThe Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an American four year academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by a tertiary education university or similarly accredited school...
(BSN) - Associate of Science in NursingAssociate of Science in NursingAn Associate of Science in Nursing is a tertiary education nursing degree. In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Some four year colleges also offer this degree...
(ASN) - Diploma in NursingDiploma in NursingA Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma is an entry-level tertiary education nursing credential.In the United States, this diploma is usually awarded by hospital-based nursing schools. Students awarded a Diploma in Nursing are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure as a...
Physicians
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Doctor of Osteopathic MedicineDoctor of Osteopathic MedicineDoctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a professional doctoral degree for physicians in the United States. Holders of the MD degree, Doctor of Medicine, have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as osteopathic physicians in the United States.The American Osteopathic Association’s Commission...
(DO) - Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
Therapeutics
- Doctor of Physiotherapy (dPT)
- Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
- Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT)
- Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy (ASRT)
Technology and imaging
Technologists are specialists in diagnostics and imaging, providing a valuable resource to clinicians, practitioners and physicians.Radiology and Imaging
- Associate of Radiology Technology
- Associate of Ultrasound Technology
Surgery
- Associate of Surgical Technology
Licensure credentials
- Registered nurseRegistered nurseA registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
(RN) - Registered respiratory therapistRegistered Respiratory TherapistA Registered Respiratory Therapist is a cardiopulmonary therapist and specialist who is required to exercise considerable independent clinical judgment in the respiratory care of patients...
(RRT) - Respiratory care practitioner (RCP)
- Licensed paramedic (LP)
- Licensed EMT (LEMT)
- Licensed practical nurseLicensed Practical NurseLicensed practical nurse is the term used in much of the United States and most Canadian provinces to refer to a nurse who cares for "people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The term licensed vocational nurses is used in...
(LPN), Licensed vocational nurse (LVN)