When you go to your doctor’s office, you know you will interact with a lot of people during your visit. There are the folks who check you in, the person who calls you back and takes your vitals, the people who help with your lab work and those who check you out. Depending on your doctor’s office – and what you are there for – there may be even more people you come across during a visit.
“At Privia Medical Group North Texas (PMGNTX), our physicians depend upon the skill and professionalism of our teammates who help us run our offices,” explains Dr. Elisabeth Wagner, an OB/GYN in Fort Worth. “Each and every one of them is central to our mission to provide the value-based care that keeps our patients healthy – we couldn’t do this important work without them!”
So, who are all these folks that make up the ecosystem of your doctor’s office? Let’s take a look.
Advanced Care Practitioners
In Texas, Physician Assistants (PAs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are required by law to work under the direction of a supervising licensed physician. This means the physician reviews patient charts regularly and is available to discuss patient care with the PA, NP or CNM. These Advanced Care Practitioners are often found serving patients in outpatient offices or clinics but may also work in a hospital setting. They can work in a variety of specialty areas, including primary care, internal medicine and pediatrics.
Physician Assistants
Physician Assistants (PAs), according to the American Academy of PAs, “are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider.”
A PA assists a physician by diagnosing and treating illness and with supervision, can prescribe medication. PAs’ education includes three years of study and the equivalent of a master’s degree from an accredited PA program. A PSA must pass a certification exam. They must also complete 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years.
Nurse Practitioners
Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners (APRNs), or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) may also serve as a patient’s primary care provider (PCP). NPs may also diagnose, treat and prescribe medication. They are also often found in a primary care or hospital setting.
Certified Nurse Midwife
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) works in the field of women’s health care services including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care and family planning. A CNM can be a woman’s PCP, as they too have the ability to diagnose and treat illness and prescribe medications.
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses (RNs) are integral to patient care and assist the PCP with a variety of tasks. In a physician’s office, an RN will likely be responsible for documenting your symptoms and taking your vitals, such as blood pressure and temperature readings. They may dispense medication, provide patient instructions and administer injections or other treatment. RNs typically have two to four years of specialized nursing education.
Medical Assistants
Medical assistants perform a variety of duties in a healthcare setting. They may take x-rays, help with lab work, schedule surgeries and more. Medical Assistants typically have a two-year associates degree and a certification in medical assistance.
Lab Technicians
Lab technicians are an important part of your health care experience. A lab technician is the person who draws your blood for your cholesterol screening or collects other fluid or tissue samples for the laboratory to analyze. They are responsible for maintaining sterile equipment and making sure the sample gets to the lab safely.
Administrative Support Staff
No medical office would be able to function without the support of administrative staff. They handle everything from making appointments, checking patients in, helping new patients with their paperwork, verifying insurance coverage and more. They will often be the first and last people you interact with at your doctor’s office.
Other Professionals in Healthcare
The following folks may or may not be physically at your doctor’s office, but they are not far away. Your physician can refer you out to these specially trained professionals to help with specific healthcare needs:
Speech Language Pathologists
Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) are trained professionals and communication experts who help patients with their speech. They work with young children, older adults and everyone in between. SLPs may be called on to help someone who has trouble speaking, perhaps due to a lisp, stutter or physical condition. They also work with people who have had a traumatic medical event that affected their speech, such as a stroke.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists are trained experts in helping people regain their ability to move, reduce pain or restore function. Often found in an orthopedic setting, physical therapists help patients recover from an injury to a joint. They also work with stroke patients, helping them regain mobility and balance, as well as with people who are recovering from certain surgeries.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapistshelp with daily activities, such as eating, drinking and bathing. They work with children and adults with disabilities who need help to better participate in school and other functions. Occupational therapists also work with people who have suffered stroke or other conditions that have adversely affected cognitive ability and require specialized help to complete certain tasks.
Healthcare Requires Teamwork!
As you can see, your doctor’s office is a busy place! Your healthcare experience involves more than just your physician. It takes an entire team of healthcare professionals, working together to provide patients the care they need. The next time you are at your doctor’s office, remember that each and every person who works there is playing a vital role in your health and wellbeing.
This article has been reviewed and approved by a panel of Privia Medical Group North Texas physicians.
This article contains information sourced from:
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
