What Do Pharmacy Aides Do? Pharmacy aides perform administrative duties in pharmacies. Aides are often clerks or cashiers who primarily answer telephones, handle money, stock shelves, and perform other clerical and administrative duties. Pharmacy aides may also assist pharmacists with maintaining patient records, processing insurance claim forms, and taking inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Where Do Pharmacy Aides Work? The majority of pharmacy aides work in retail pharmacies, including …Read More
Physical Therapists
What Do Physical Therapists Do? Physical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who help people with injuries or illnesses improve their movement and manage their pain. PTs are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment for patients with chronic conditions or injuries that limit their ability to move well or comfortably or do functional activities as well as they would like in their daily lives. PTs help patients …Read More
Physical Therapist Assistants
What Do Physical Therapist Assistants Do? Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the direction of a physical therapist (PT) to provide services that relieve pain and improve mobility for patients who are recovering from physical injuries, diseases, or disabilities. PTAs may assist PTs by performing routine treatments such as helping patients with stretching exercises or using exercise equipment, applying hot or cold packs, administering traction and massage, and training in …Read More
Physician Assistants
What Do Physician Assistants Do? Physician assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Working as members of a health care team, PAs take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, instruct and counsel patients, make diagnoses, and prescribe certain medications. Many PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family …Read More
Physicians
What Do Physicians Do? Physicians diagnose and treat diseases, illnesses, injuries, and physical and psychological problems. They examine and treat patients; obtain medical histories; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They may also counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive health care. There are two types of physicians, the Medical Doctor (MD), or allopathic physician, and the Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). Both types of physicians may use all accepted …Read More
Podiatrists
What Do Podiatrists Do? Podiatrists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot and ankle problems. They use medical and surgical interventions to treat foot deformities, growths, and injuries, as well as foot problems associated with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis. In diagnosing foot problems, podiatrists may conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all body systems, using x-rays, blood tests, and physical exams. As part of treatment, …Read More
Psychiatrists
What Do Psychiatrists Do? Psychiatrists are primary mental health physicians who assess, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses and emotional and substance abuse disorders through personal counseling (psychotherapy), psychoanalysis, hospitalization, and medication. Psychotherapy involves regular discussions with patients about their problems to help them find solutions through changes in their behavioral patterns, exploring their past experiences, or group and family therapy sessions. Psychiatrists may work with people with chronic mental illness, such as schizophrenia or …Read More
Psychologists
What Do Psychologists Do? Psychologists study behavior, mental processes and emotions by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and the environment. Psychologists concentrate on people’s behavior and, specifically, in the beliefs and feelings that influence a person’s actions. Psychologists involved with research tend to look for broad patterns to help them understand and predict behavior using scientific methods, principles, or procedures that test their ideas. The …Read More
Radiation Therapists
What Do Radiation Therapists Do? Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy treatments to cancer patients using machines called linear accelerators, which precisely target the cancer cells. As part of a medical radiation oncology team, radiation therapists work with a radiation oncologist and radiation physicist to develop individual treatment plans. Radiation therapists prepare the patient, set up the machinery, operate the machinery, and monitor each radiation session closely. Radiation therapists observe patient reactions, …Read More
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
What Do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Do? Radiologic technologists and technicians perform diagnostic imaging examinations. Radiologic technologists use imaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mammography, while radiologic technicians perform imaging examinations like x-rays. Radiologic technologists perform more complex imaging procedures. When performing fluoroscopies, for example, radiologic technologists prepare a solution for the patient to drink, allowing the radiologist (a physician who interprets radiographs) to see …Read More
Recreational Therapists
What Do Recreational Therapists Do? Recreation therapists (also known as therapeutic recreation specialists) provide treatment services and recreation activities to individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Recreational therapists use a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, activities with animals, and community outings to aid the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their clients. Recreational therapists’ efforts help individuals reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; …Read More
Registered Nurses
What Do Registered Nurses Do? Registered nurses (RNs) treat and educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. RNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. In addition, RNs also: — Deliver and supervise patient care; — Give patients medicines and treatments; …Read More
Respiratory Therapists
What Do Respiratory Therapists Do? Respiratory therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing difficulties or other cardiopulmonary problems caused by asthma, smoking, pneumonia, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, chest injuries, and other disorders. They work with all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people whose lungs are diseased. They provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema and …Read More
Social and Human Services Assistants
What Do Social and Human Services Assistants Do? Social and human service assistants help people get through difficult times or get additional support. They may work with elderly; children and families; people with disabilities, addictions, or mental illnesses; veterans; former prison inmates; homeless people; or immigrants. They assist other health care workers, such as social workers, to provide services to people. “Social and human services assistant” is a general term …Read More
Social Workers
What Do Social Workers Do? Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. There are two main types of social workers: direct-service social workers who help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives, and clinical social workers, who diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. Direct-service social workers assess their clients’ needs and situations and develop plans to …Read More
Speech-Language Pathologists
What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do? Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency in people of all ages. Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot produce speech sounds or cannot produce them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering or slurred speech or other speech impairment; people with voice disorders, such …Read More
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
What Do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Do? Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors advise people who have alcoholism or other types of addiction (drugs, gambling, etc.), eating disorders, mental health issues or other mental or behavioral problems. They provide support and treatments to help the client recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors by helping them identify behaviors and issues related to their addiction. …Read More