Members of Your Care Team
Primary Care Physician (PCP)
Physicians treat day-to-day illnesses and provide preventive care such as minor injuries, viral infections, immunizations and check-ups. They provide care for individuals across their life span, from childhood to adulthood. Family medicine doctors have completed a family medicine residency and are board-certified, or board-eligible, for this specialty. Having a PCP offers you an ongoing, trusting relationship with one medical professional over time.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed to practice medicine and are supervised by a doctor. Their training is similar to a doctor's; however, they do not complete an internship or residency. They can perform physical exams, order tests, diagnose illnesses and prescribe medicine, and assist in surgery. Education for PAs includes a 4-year degree plus a 2-year Master’s Degree level Physician Assistant program. PAs are licensed to practice medicine and are supervised by a doctor. Their training is similar to a doctor's; however, they do not complete an internship or residency.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have completed additional coursework and specialized training. Like Physician Assistants, NPs can perform physical exams, order tests, diagnose illnesses and prescribe medicine, and assist in surgery. The vast majority of NPs hold graduate degrees and a national certification.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurses (RNs) assist physicians in providing treatment to patients. They may administer medication, monitor patient recovery and progress, and educate patients and their families on disease prevention and post-hospital treatment. They may have completed a diploma program, an associate’s (2-year) degree or a bachelor’s (4-year) degree in addition to a licensing exam.
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) monitor patients by measuring their vital signs, like heart rate and blood pressure, and can perform medical procedures under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. They train for about one year at a community college or vocational school and are licensed by their state. LVNs may also be called Licensed Practical Nurses, LPNs.
Radiology Technologist
Radiology Technologists, also called radiographers, help providers diagnose and treat disease by taking x-rays. Radiology technologists are can specialize in computed tomography (CT scans), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI’s) or mammography. Most radiology technologists complete a 2-year an associate degree, but some have a 4-year bachelor's degree or a certificate. They must also pass a licensing exam.
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants often take medical histories and record vital signs of patients. Medical Assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.
Medical Receptionist
Medical Receptionists perform a variety of clerical duties in support of health care delivery and medical office operations. Their job duties include greeting and scheduling patients, registering patients and verifying insurance coverage calling patients to remind them of appointments, handling billing, answering and routing calls, making transactions, and keeping paperwork organized
