Types of Health Care Providers
When you visit the Student Health Service as a patient, there are many different types of healthcare providers that you might encounter, depending on the service you are requesting. These types of healthcare providers are described below, so that you might have a better understanding of who is working with you on your health and wellness during your visit. Please feel free to ask any Student Health Service staff member to expand on any of these roles if you have more questions.
Clinic Staff
The staff you may encounter as a patient in the clinic include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and medical assistants.
- Clinician
A clinician is the healthcare provider who you schedule an appointment with. This provider is usually a physician or nurse practitioner. The clinician manages your health care, prescribes medication, and follows up with you as appropriate. - Physician
A physician is a healthcare provider who has completed four years of medical school after college. A physician has either an “MD” or a “DO” degree listed after his or her name, depending on the type of medical school he or she attended. After medical school a physician spends a minimum of three years in a residency program specializing in a specific field of medicine, during which time he or she gains experience treating patients while under supervision of more experienced physicians. Some physicians choose to specialize in primary care, such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. All staff physicians employed at the Student Health Service are board-certified within their specialties. Board certification means that the physician has completed residency in a given area, passed a rigorous exam, and has participated in additional education requirements. - Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a healthcare provider who is a registered nurse and who has also completed additional education and training in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. There are many different initials or credentials that can be listed after a nurse practitioner’s name, although CRNP (Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner) is most often seen among nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania. After completing the training necessary to become a registered nurse (RN), nurse practitioners go on for further training, and since 1979, have been required to complete a master’s degree, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral degree. Like physicians, nurse practitioners are licensed by the PA State Board of Nursing to practice and are specialized within a certain area, such as pediatrics, adult care, women’s health, etc. Nurse practitioners generally practice independently with physician consultation when necessary. CRNP’s have prescriptive authority which permits writing prescriptions for common illnesses. Many patients choose to use nurse practitioners for their general health care. - Nurse
A nurse is a healthcare provider who has graduated from an accredited school of nursing and has been registered and licensed to practice by a state authority. Nurses at the Student Health Service are registered nurses (RNs). At the Student Health Service, nurses triage and room patients, triage patient phone calls, administer medications, give allergy shots and immunizations, care for wounds, and start IVs, among other duties. Triage at the Student Health Service pertains to evaluating a patient to determine if he or she immediately needs to been seen by one of the clinicians for an urgent condition. - Medical Assistant
A medical assistant is a healthcare provider who is a graduate of a technical school program. Medical assistants conduct clinical tasks that help the medical office run smoothly. At the Student Health Service, medical assistants room patients, draw blood for blood work, obtain vital signs such as blood pressure and temperature, and assist the clinicians and nurses with patient care.
Health Education Staff
The clinical staff you may encounter as a patient in the Office of Health Education & Promotion include the dietitian and the health educator.
- Dietitian
A dietitian is a health professional who is qualified to work with patients on nutritional and dietary issues. Dietitians must complete an undergraduate program in this field, although some also continue to obtain a Masters or Doctoral degree. A Registered Dietitian has passed a professional examination and completes continuing education. The dietitian at the Student Health Service is a registered, licensed dietitian. One confusing concept for patients is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist. While a dietitian receives formal education and registration in the field of nutrition, a nutritionist has not necessarily completed any formal education. Anyone can call his or herself a nutritionist. - Health Educator
A health educator is a health professional who promotes wellness and healthy lifestyles. Health educators generally complete an undergraduate program in health education, although some also continue to obtain a Masters or Doctoral degree. Like a nutritionist, anyone can call him or herself a health educator, despite lack of a formal education in the field. The health educator at the Student Health Service is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Health educators with the CHES designation have completed a course of study at an accredited institution, have passed a national examination, and complete continuing education in the field. Health educators specialize in many different health-related areas. The health educator at Student Health Service specializes in issues related to sexual health and women’s health.
Pharmacy Staff
The staff you may encounter as a patient in the pharmacy includes pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy interns.
- Pharmacist
A pharmacist is a licensed professional who has graduated from an accredited school of pharmacy and has passed both a pharmaceuticals exam and a federal law exam. Pharmacists have an RPh and/or PharmD degree, depending on where or when they graduated from pharmacy school. Pharmacists are licensed to dispense medications and work with other members of the healthcare team to ensure that medications are being used safely and effectively. Pharmacists are also a vital part of the patient education process, as they counsel patients on how to use the medications they have been prescribed. In addition, pharmacists must complete continuing education to maintain their license. - Pharmacy Technician
A pharmacy technician works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians have completed an education program and must become certified by passing a national certification exam. In addition, pharmacy technicians must complete continuing education to maintain their license. - Pharmacy Intern
A pharmacy intern is an individual who is currently a student in pharmacy school. Pharmacy interns work under direct supervision of a pharmacist.