Definition of health professionals
A health professional is an individual
who provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to people, families
or communities. A health professional may operate within all branches of health care, including medicine, surgery, dentistry, midwifery, pharmacy, psychology, nursing or allied
health professions. A
health professional may also be a public/community health expert working for the common good of the society.
who provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to people, families
or communities. A health professional may operate within all branches of health care, including medicine, surgery, dentistry, midwifery, pharmacy, psychology, nursing or allied
health professions. A
health professional may also be a public/community health expert working for the common good of the society.
Healthcare
practitioners include physicians, dentists, pharmacists, pharmacy
technicians, physician
assistants, nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, surgeons, surgeon’s
assistant, athletic trainers, surgical
technologist, midwives, dietitians, therapists, psychologists, chiropractors, clinical officers, social workers, phlebotomists, occupational
therapists, optometrists, physical therapists, radiographers, radiotherapists, respiratory
therapists, audiologists, speech
pathologists, operating department practitioners, emergency
medical technicians, paramedics, medical
laboratory scientists, medical prosthetic technicians and a wide variety of other human
resources trained
to provide some type of health care service. They often work in hospitals,
healthcare centres, and other service delivery points, but also in academic
training, research, and administration. Some provide care and treatment
services for patients in private homes. Many countries have a large number of community
health workers who work
outside formal healthcare institutions. Managers
of healthcare services, health
information technicians, and other assistive
personnel and
support workers are also considered a vital part of health care teams.
practitioners include physicians, dentists, pharmacists, pharmacy
technicians, physician
assistants, nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, surgeons, surgeon’s
assistant, athletic trainers, surgical
technologist, midwives, dietitians, therapists, psychologists, chiropractors, clinical officers, social workers, phlebotomists, occupational
therapists, optometrists, physical therapists, radiographers, radiotherapists, respiratory
therapists, audiologists, speech
pathologists, operating department practitioners, emergency
medical technicians, paramedics, medical
laboratory scientists, medical prosthetic technicians and a wide variety of other human
resources trained
to provide some type of health care service. They often work in hospitals,
healthcare centres, and other service delivery points, but also in academic
training, research, and administration. Some provide care and treatment
services for patients in private homes. Many countries have a large number of community
health workers who work
outside formal healthcare institutions. Managers
of healthcare services, health
information technicians, and other assistive
personnel and
support workers are also considered a vital part of health care teams.
Healthcare
practitioners are commonly grouped into health
professions. Within
each field of expertise, practitioners are often classified according to skill
level and skill specialization. “Health professionals” are highly skilled
workers, in professions that usually require extensive knowledge including
university-level study leading to the award of a first degree or higher
qualification. This category includes physicians, physician assistants,
dentists, midwives, radiographers, registered nurses, pharmacists,
physiotherapists, optometrists, operating department practitioners and others.
Allied health professionals, also referred to as “health associate
professionals” in the International Standard Classification of
Occupations, support
implementation of health care, treatment and referral plans usually established
by medical, nursing, and other health professionals, and usually require formal
qualifications to practice their profession. In addition, unlicensed
assistive personnel
assist with providing health care services as permitted.
practitioners are commonly grouped into health
professions. Within
each field of expertise, practitioners are often classified according to skill
level and skill specialization. “Health professionals” are highly skilled
workers, in professions that usually require extensive knowledge including
university-level study leading to the award of a first degree or higher
qualification. This category includes physicians, physician assistants,
dentists, midwives, radiographers, registered nurses, pharmacists,
physiotherapists, optometrists, operating department practitioners and others.
Allied health professionals, also referred to as “health associate
professionals” in the International Standard Classification of
Occupations, support
implementation of health care, treatment and referral plans usually established
by medical, nursing, and other health professionals, and usually require formal
qualifications to practice their profession. In addition, unlicensed
assistive personnel
assist with providing health care services as permitted.
Another
way to categorize healthcare practitioners is according to the sub-field in
which they practice, such as mental health care, pregnancy and childbirth care,
surgical care, rehabilitation care, or public health.
way to categorize healthcare practitioners is according to the sub-field in
which they practice, such as mental health care, pregnancy and childbirth care,
surgical care, rehabilitation care, or public health.
According
to Mosby’s Medical Dictionary (9th edition), health professional is
defined as any person who completed a course of study in a field of health,
such as a registered nurse, physical therapist, environmental health officer.
The person is usually licensed by government agency or certified by a
professional organization.
to Mosby’s Medical Dictionary (9th edition), health professional is
defined as any person who completed a course of study in a field of health,
such as a registered nurse, physical therapist, environmental health officer.
The person is usually licensed by government agency or certified by a
professional organization.
A health
professional may operate within all branches of health care including medicare
surgery, dentistry, midwifery, pharmacy, psychology, nursing or allied health
professionals. A health professional may also be a public/community health
expert work or the common good of the society. They are classified according to
skill level and skill specialization. Health care highly skilled workers in
professions that usually require knowledge including university study.
professional may operate within all branches of health care including medicare
surgery, dentistry, midwifery, pharmacy, psychology, nursing or allied health
professionals. A health professional may also be a public/community health
expert work or the common good of the society. They are classified according to
skill level and skill specialization. Health care highly skilled workers in
professions that usually require knowledge including university study.
Health
care professionals include:
care professionals include:
1.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists
2.
Psychologists
Psychologists
3.
Dentists
Dentists
4.
Optometrists
Optometrists
5.
Dietitians
Dietitians
6.
Environmental
health officers
Environmental
health officers
7.
Nurse
Nurse
8.
Medical
laboratory scientists
Medical
laboratory scientists
9.
Surgeons
Surgeons
10.
Paramedics
Paramedics
11.
Radiographers
Radiographers
12.
Midwives
Midwives
13.
Emergency
medical technicians
Emergency
medical technicians
14.
Community
health workers
Community
health workers
15.
Physical
therapist
Physical
therapist
16.
Occupational
therapists
Occupational
therapists
17.
Chiropractors
Chiropractors
18.
Phlebotomists
Phlebotomists
19.
Clinical
officers
Clinical
officers
Pharmacists
Pharmacists
play a vital role in the health care system through the medicine and information
they provide. The role of pharmacist which include:
play a vital role in the health care system through the medicine and information
they provide. The role of pharmacist which include:
1.
Participate
in arrangement for monitoring the utilization of drugs. Such as practice,
research and scheme to analyse prescriptions for the monitoring of adverse drug
reactions.
Participate
in arrangement for monitoring the utilization of drugs. Such as practice,
research and scheme to analyse prescriptions for the monitoring of adverse drug
reactions.
2.
Extemporaneous preparation and small-scale
manufacture of medicines. Pharmacists everywhere continue to prepare medicines in the pharmacy.
Extemporaneous preparation and small-scale
manufacture of medicines. Pharmacists everywhere continue to prepare medicines in the pharmacy.
3.
Traditional and alternative medicines. In some countries, pharmacists supply traditional
medicines and dispense homoeopathic prescriptions.
Traditional and alternative medicines. In some countries, pharmacists supply traditional
medicines and dispense homoeopathic prescriptions.
4.
Responding to symptoms of minor ailments. The pharmacist receives requests from members of
the public for advice on a variety of symptoms.
Responding to symptoms of minor ailments. The pharmacist receives requests from members of
the public for advice on a variety of symptoms.
5.
Agricultural and veterinary practice. Pharmacists supply animal medicines and medicated
animal feeds.
Agricultural and veterinary practice. Pharmacists supply animal medicines and medicated
animal feeds.
Pharmacy supply animals medicine and medicated
animal feed
animal feed
1.
Pharmacists
monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the safe and effective
use of medication.
Pharmacists
monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the safe and effective
use of medication.
2.
Specialised
monitoring of disease such as dosing drugs in kidney and liver failure.
Specialised
monitoring of disease such as dosing drugs in kidney and liver failure.
3.
Clinical
medication management, including reviewing and monitoring of medication
regimens
Clinical
medication management, including reviewing and monitoring of medication
regimens
4.
Providing
pharmaceutical information
Providing
pharmaceutical information
5.
Oversight
of dispensing medicine on prescription
Oversight
of dispensing medicine on prescription
2. Psychologists
Overall,
psychologist assess, diagnose and treat the psychological problem and the
behavioural dysfunctions resulting from or related to physical and mental
health. In addition, they play a major role in the promotion of healthy
behavior, preventing diseases and improving patients’ quality of life. Thus
psychologists are interested in biological, psychological and social factors
affect health and illness.
psychologist assess, diagnose and treat the psychological problem and the
behavioural dysfunctions resulting from or related to physical and mental
health. In addition, they play a major role in the promotion of healthy
behavior, preventing diseases and improving patients’ quality of life. Thus
psychologists are interested in biological, psychological and social factors
affect health and illness.
The role of psychologists
1.
They are
mental health providers and usually render service through mental health unit
and psychiatric hospital.
They are
mental health providers and usually render service through mental health unit
and psychiatric hospital.
2.
Psychologist
assess, diagnose and treat psychological problems and behavioural/dysfunctions
and mental health.
Psychologist
assess, diagnose and treat psychological problems and behavioural/dysfunctions
and mental health.
3.
They
improve patients’ quality of life.
They
improve patients’ quality of life.
4.
They
promote, diagnose, prevent, treat and rehabilitation of physical and mental
illness.
They
promote, diagnose, prevent, treat and rehabilitation of physical and mental
illness.
5.
They
provide the clinical and health service to both impatient and outpatient unit
as well as to patient who function independently and to those new patient who
need evaluation.
They
provide the clinical and health service to both impatient and outpatient unit
as well as to patient who function independently and to those new patient who
need evaluation.
Dentists
Dentists
are health professional workers who provide care and treatment to promote and
restore oral health. They are doctors who specialized in oral health.
are health professional workers who provide care and treatment to promote and
restore oral health. They are doctors who specialized in oral health.
1.
Diagnosing
oral diseases
Diagnosing
oral diseases
2.
Promoting
oral health and specialize in oral health
Promoting
oral health and specialize in oral health
3.
Creating
treatment plans to maintain or restore the oral health of their patients
Creating
treatment plans to maintain or restore the oral health of their patients
4.
Interpreting
x-rays and diagnostic tests, monitoring growth of teeth and jaws
Interpreting
x-rays and diagnostic tests, monitoring growth of teeth and jaws
Radiographer
They are
professionals that work in both public and private hospitals. The practitioners
vary between hospital in the country.
professionals that work in both public and private hospitals. The practitioners
vary between hospital in the country.
Role of
radiographers
radiographers
1.
Autonomy
as a professional
Autonomy
as a professional
2.
Patient
care
Patient
care
3.
Justification
of radiographic examination
Justification
of radiographic examination
4.
Production
of diagnostic media
Production
of diagnostic media
5.
Enforcement
of radiation protection (There is a duty
of care to patient, colleagues and any lay persons that may be irradiated)
Enforcement
of radiation protection (There is a duty
of care to patient, colleagues and any lay persons that may be irradiated)
Midwives
These are
health professionals who provide you with the necessary professional care and
services during normal pregnancy and childbirth. The midwife also provides you
and your baby with the professional care and services during the first six
weeks after delivery
health professionals who provide you with the necessary professional care and
services during normal pregnancy and childbirth. The midwife also provides you
and your baby with the professional care and services during the first six
weeks after delivery
Roles of
midwives
midwives
1.
Gives the
necessary supervision, care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and
the postpartum period
Gives the
necessary supervision, care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and
the postpartum period
2.
Provide
full antenatal care, including screening test in the hospital, community
Provide
full antenatal care, including screening test in the hospital, community
3.
Provide
counseling and advice before and after screening and test.
Provide
counseling and advice before and after screening and test.
4.
Conduct
deliveries on her own and care for newborn infant.
Conduct
deliveries on her own and care for newborn infant.
5.
Provide
primary care to women of productive age inaccordance with the basic package of health services.
Provide
primary care to women of productive age inaccordance with the basic package of health services.
Surgeons
These are
medical doctors with additional training to perform general and specialized
type of surgeries
medical doctors with additional training to perform general and specialized
type of surgeries
Role of
surgeons
surgeons
1.
To
perform accurately and efficiently in the operating room
To
perform accurately and efficiently in the operating room
2.
After the
surgical procedure is complete the surgeon enters into post-operative care,
e.g. removing any bandages, pads use during the procedures that don’t belong to
the patient.
After the
surgical procedure is complete the surgeon enters into post-operative care,
e.g. removing any bandages, pads use during the procedures that don’t belong to
the patient.
3.
They
direct staff on any post-operative transportation and care requirement.
They
direct staff on any post-operative transportation and care requirement.
Nurses
Registered
nurse duties vary as the area of their expertise. They play a key role in
promoting the wellness by performing a wide range of services. A RN mainly focuses
on caring for and educating the patients and their family about early recovery
and way of prevention of diseases. Hence, nurses assess patient health problems
and needs, develop and execute nursing care, plans and uphold medical records.
nurse duties vary as the area of their expertise. They play a key role in
promoting the wellness by performing a wide range of services. A RN mainly focuses
on caring for and educating the patients and their family about early recovery
and way of prevention of diseases. Hence, nurses assess patient health problems
and needs, develop and execute nursing care, plans and uphold medical records.
Roles of RN
Here is
the list of the duties and responsibilities of a registered nurse.
the list of the duties and responsibilities of a registered nurse.
1.
Observing
and recording patients’ behavior
Observing
and recording patients’ behavior
2.
Coordinating
with physicians and other healthcare professionals for creating and evaluating
customized care plans.
Coordinating
with physicians and other healthcare professionals for creating and evaluating
customized care plans.
3.
Directing
and supervising patients
Directing
and supervising patients
4.
Changing
patients medication as indicated by their conditions and response
Changing
patients medication as indicated by their conditions and response
5.
Carrying
out the requisite treatment and medication
Carrying
out the requisite treatment and medication
6.
Checking
the stock on a regular basis for maintaining the inventory level and placing
order if required.
Checking
the stock on a regular basis for maintaining the inventory level and placing
order if required.
Optometrists
Optometrists
are medical professionals who specialize in the care of the most important
organ in our bodies-the eye. Commonly known as “eye doctors”.
are medical professionals who specialize in the care of the most important
organ in our bodies-the eye. Commonly known as “eye doctors”.
Role of
optometrists
optometrists
1.
Analyze
patients in conservation to determine their vision problems
Analyze
patients in conservation to determine their vision problems
2.
Analyze
test results to determine cause and nature of eye disease
Analyze
test results to determine cause and nature of eye disease
3.
Perform
test on patient by operating eye testing equipment
Perform
test on patient by operating eye testing equipment
4.
Provide
patients with information on handling eye care activities during regular days.
Provide
patients with information on handling eye care activities during regular days.
5.
Prescribe
vision glasses to patient suffering from bad eyesights and/or photosensitivity.
Prescribe
vision glasses to patient suffering from bad eyesights and/or photosensitivity.
6.
Prescribe
medication to treat eye disease ensuring that patient are not allergic to them.
Prescribe
medication to treat eye disease ensuring that patient are not allergic to them.
Dietitians
A
dietitian has numerous roles to fill, no matter what your interest are
surrounding food and nutrition.
dietitian has numerous roles to fill, no matter what your interest are
surrounding food and nutrition.
Roles of
dietitians
dietitians
1.
Identify
nutritional problems and assessing nutritional status of patient in a clinical
setting
Identify
nutritional problems and assessing nutritional status of patient in a clinical
setting
2.
Developing
diet plans and counseling patients on special diet modifications
Developing
diet plans and counseling patients on special diet modifications
3.
Teaching
nutrition, food chemistry, or food service administration to students in any
health profession and at all levels of education
Teaching
nutrition, food chemistry, or food service administration to students in any
health profession and at all levels of education
4.
Working
with individuals, group, workplaces and media to provide dietary advice for
healthy living.
Working
with individuals, group, workplaces and media to provide dietary advice for
healthy living.
5.
Assessing,
promoting, protecting and enhancing the health of the general public in a
community setting and providing strategies for prevention of nutrition related
diseases.
Assessing,
promoting, protecting and enhancing the health of the general public in a
community setting and providing strategies for prevention of nutrition related
diseases.
6.
Operating
private consulting practice to provide expertise in nutrition, as well as
promote health and prevent disease.
Operating
private consulting practice to provide expertise in nutrition, as well as
promote health and prevent disease.
Environmental health officer
Role of
EHO
EHO
1.
Engagement
in continuing education and research in public health
Engagement
in continuing education and research in public health
2.
Investigate
complaints from residents about nuisance (including noise and odour) arising
from business or domestic activities.
Investigate
complaints from residents about nuisance (including noise and odour) arising
from business or domestic activities.
3.
Promote
awareness of neighbourhood nuisance and abate tham
Promote
awareness of neighbourhood nuisance and abate tham
4.
Initiation,
implementation and evaluation of environmental health services
Initiation,
implementation and evaluation of environmental health services
5.
Participating
in the surveillance and control of communicable disease at local, state,
national and international levels.
Participating
in the surveillance and control of communicable disease at local, state,
national and international levels.
Occupational therapist
These are
health professionals that work with patient or client to help them achieve a
fulfilled and satisfied state in life through the use of purposeful activity or
intervention designed to achieve a functional outcomes which promote health,
prevent injury or disability
health professionals that work with patient or client to help them achieve a
fulfilled and satisfied state in life through the use of purposeful activity or
intervention designed to achieve a functional outcomes which promote health,
prevent injury or disability
1.
They help
to promote and prevent injury
They help
to promote and prevent injury
2.
Help
people of all ages to improve their ability to perform task in their daily
living working environments
Help
people of all ages to improve their ability to perform task in their daily
living working environments
3.
They
assists client in performing activities of all types ranging from using a
computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking and eating.
They
assists client in performing activities of all types ranging from using a
computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking and eating.
4.
They help
client not only to improve their basic functions and reasoning ability
They help
client not only to improve their basic functions and reasoning ability
5.
They use
computer programs to help client improve decision making abstract reasoning,
problem solving and perceptual skills.
They use
computer programs to help client improve decision making abstract reasoning,
problem solving and perceptual skills.
Medical laboratory scientists
Medical
laboratory scientists is responsible for providing information for patient
diagnosis, chemistry, hematology, immunology and microbiology laboratories,
testing and recording blood bank inventories.
laboratory scientists is responsible for providing information for patient
diagnosis, chemistry, hematology, immunology and microbiology laboratories,
testing and recording blood bank inventories.
Roles of
medical laboratory scientists
medical laboratory scientists
1.
Organizes
work by matching computer orders with specimen labeling, sorting specimens,
checking labeling, logging specimens, arranging reports for delivery, keeping
work surface cleaned and orderly.
Organizes
work by matching computer orders with specimen labeling, sorting specimens,
checking labeling, logging specimens, arranging reports for delivery, keeping
work surface cleaned and orderly.
2.
Maintain patients’
confidence by keeping laboratory information confidential.
Maintain patients’
confidence by keeping laboratory information confidential.
3.
Contributes
to a safe and secure environment for patient, visitors, physician and coworkers
by following established standards and procedures, complying with legal
regulations
Contributes
to a safe and secure environment for patient, visitors, physician and coworkers
by following established standards and procedures, complying with legal
regulations
4.
(Blood
bank) assures future retrieval of patient transfusion information by preparing
patient packets and maintaining blood bank database.
(Blood
bank) assures future retrieval of patient transfusion information by preparing
patient packets and maintaining blood bank database.
5.
Provides
physicians with information for treatment of patients
Provides
physicians with information for treatment of patients