Glossary of allied healthcare professionals
September 2007
Summary
Advances in medicine mean that healthcare is provided more and more by a team of professionals with a range of different skills, each bringing their particular expertise to caring for the patient. Allied health professionals are key members of the NHS and work autonomously and in multi-professional teams in various settings. Some healthcare professionals may have a PhD and therefore use the title Dr, for example psychologists, but they are not medically qualified in the same way as a hospital doctor or general practitioner.
Job titles
Ambulance care assistant (alternative: patient care services)
Location Ambulance, Hospital
Description Ambulance care assistants transport non-emergency patients to and from hospital for pre-arranged appointments, but also have life-saving skills should an emergency occur. They help patients in and out of the ambulance and will also ensure they are settled in before leaving their home.
Training A course of between two to four weeks’ duration learning moving and handling techniques and basic medical skills, plus a probationary period, under supervision, attached to an ambulance station before working unsupervised.
Regulator Employing Ambulance Trust
Useful links Ambulance Service Association
Ambulance technician (alternative: emergency medical technician)
Location Ambulance, Hospital
Description Ambulance technicians deal with a range of non-emergency cases as well as accident and emergency calls. They are, with paramedics, the first healthcare professionals on the scene of an accident or medical emergency, and assist and support in providing care to patients. Ambulance technicians are also trained to give a range of drugs, and to use defibrillation in cases where a patient has heart failure. Non-emergency calls may be the transfer of a sick baby or an elderly person, for example.
Training An intensive training programme lasting up to 20 weeks which includes advanced driving, plus working under supervision for up to a year before becoming a qualified ambulance technician.
Regulator Employing Ambulance Trust
Useful links Ambulance Service Association
Art therapist (alternatives: drama therapist, music therapist, art tutor, group worker)
Location Community
Description Various types of art therapy are recognised as valuable treatments for people with a wide range of physical or mental health, emotional or social problems. Art therapists have their own caseload of patients, but work within a multidisciplinary team. They help patients communicate and express their feelings through art, drama or music.
Training Postgraduate diploma in art therapy
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links British Association of Art Therapists, Association of Professional Music Therapists, British Association of Drama Therapists
Audiologist
Location Hospital
Description Audiologists work as part of a multidisciplinary team to identify and assess hearing and/or balance disorders in patients, recommending and providing appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.
Training Degree or postgraduate qualification in audiology.
Regulator None
Useful links British Academy of Audiology
Cardiac physiologist (alternative: cardiac clinical scientific officer, cardialogical technician)
Location Hospital
Description Cardiac physiologists work with patients and diagnostic equipment to carry out investigations into the functioning of the heart and equipment fitted to help the heart, such as pacemakers.
Training Degree qualification in clinical physiology.
Regulator None
Useful links Society for Cardiological Science and Technology
Clinical gastrointestinal (GI) physiologist
Location Hospital
Description Clinical gastrointestinal physiologists specialise in the study of the gastrointestinal functions and disease, and use various instruments to investigate the digestive system for problems.
Training Degree qualification in clinical physiology.
Regulator None
Useful links Association of Gastrointestinal Physiology
Clinical respiratory physiologist
Location Hospital
Description Clinical respiratory physiologists work within multidisciplinary teams and use specialised equipment to investigate patients with, for example, chest pains, breathing disorders or sleep disorders, to assist in the diagnosis of respiratory disorders or disease.
Training Degree qualification in clinical physiology.
Regulator None
Useful links Association of Respiratory Technology and Physiology
Dietician (alternative: dietetic assistant)
Location Community, General practice, Health centre, Hospital
Description Dieticians work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team and have their own caseload of patients. They draw up nutritional care plans for patients and advise patients about their diet, including those with particular needs such as allergies, eating disorders or diabetes.
Training Degree in dietetics or postgraduate qualification.
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links British Dietetic Association
Emergency care practitioner
Location Ambulance, General practice (out of hours), Hospital
Description Emergency care practitioners are paramedics or nurses who work in a variety of settings. They perform and interpret diagnostic tests, undertake basic procedures and carry out routine assessments of patients with long-term conditions. Emergency care practitioners can also prescribe a range of medications.
Training Training as a paramedic or nurse plus further training on assessment and examination techniques, treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, and the management of long-term conditions.
Regulator Health Professions Council for paramedics, and Nursing and Midwifery Council for nurses.
Useful links See regulator
Health care assistant (alternative: auxiliary nurse, clinical support worker, nursing auxiliary, therapy assistant, therapy helper)
Location Community, General practice, Health centre, Hospital
Description The duties of a health care assistants may involve washing and dressing patients, feeding, helping people to walk, toileting, bed making, assisting patients with overall comfort and monitoring a patient’s conditions including their temperature, pulse, respiration and weight. They work under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, normally a nurse, and the role can be very varied depending upon the area in which they are employed. Health care assistants working in therapy assist physiotherapists, radiographers, podiatrists, speech therapists, dieticians and occupational therapists. Their duties might include preparing patients for therapy, setting up any equipment to be used, assisting the therapist, and record-keeping.
Training No minimum qualification is required, though the chance to study for an NVQ qualification up to level 3 plus further training by a registered nurse may be offered.
Regulator None
Useful links NHS Careers
Hearing therapist
Location Hospital
Description Hearing therapists provide rehabilitation for adults who have hearing difficulties or associated problems. They use a variety of methods to improve a patient's hearing and communication capabilities, such as hearing aids, tinnitus management or lip-reading instruction. Some hearing therapists may specialise in areas such as balance rehabilitation or working with learning disabilities.
Training Degree in audiology
Regulator None
Useful links British Academy of Audiology
Hospital play staff
Location Hospital
Description Hospital play staff use playful activities as a therapeutic tool for children. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team and use play to help children with their anxieties and feelings to prepare them for hospital procedures, for example. Hospital play staff can also contribute to clinical judgements through their observations of children at play.
Training Minimum of a Nursery Nurse Examination Board qualification or NVQ level 3. More senior play staff will have attained a level 4 diploma in specialised play for children or sick children.
Regulator None
Useful links National Association of Hospital Play Staff
Occupational therapist
Location Community, GP practice, Health centre, School
Description Occupational therapists help people who are ill, disabled or feeling the effects of ageing to live as normal lives as possible. Their work can involve giving advice on how the home or workplace environment can be modified to improve mobility and quality of life; helping people learn new ways of doing things; and adapting materials or equipment for easier use.
Training Degree qualification
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links College of Occupational Therapists
Optometrist (alternative: optician)
Location Hospital, Private business
Description Optometrists carry out eyesight tests and examinations, prescribing corrective lenses or glasses where necessary. Optometrists also fit glasses and contact lenses for patients and are responsibility for detecting eye diseases or abnormalities, including those associated with other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, in which case the patient would normally be referred on to their general practitioner.
Training Degree qualification
Regulator General Optical Council
Useful links British College of Optometrists
Orthopaedic technician (alternative: plaster technician)
Location Hospital
Description An orthopaedic technician works in trauma and orthopaedic clinic and applies casts to patients, for example, with broken legs or fractured wrists.
Training A five-week course and examination leading to the British Casting Certificate, following recommendation after six months' experience in a trauma and orthopaedic clinic.
Regulator None
Useful links Association of Orthopaedic Technicians
Orthoptist
Location Health centre, Hospital, School
Description Orthoptists investigate, diagnose and treat defects of vision and abnormalities of eye movement, including conditions such as lazy eye or squint. They are involved in the management of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, stroke, retinal disease or neurological disorders. Orthoptists form part of the eye care team and work closely with ophthalmologists (specialist eye doctors) and optometrists.
Training Degree qualification
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links British and Irish Orthoptic Society
Orthotist
Location Hospital, Specialised centre
Description Orthotists provide care for people of all ages requiring a device to support or control part of their body, through providing a range of splints, braces and special footwear to aid movement, correct any deformities and relieve pain and discomfort. Orthotists work closely with doctors, physiotherapists and chiropodists.
Training Degree in prosthetics and orthotics.
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists
Paramedic
Location Ambulance, Hospital
Description Paramedics are trained in all aspects of pre-hospital emergency care ranging from crash injuries to cardiac arrest. On arrival at an accident they assess the patient's condition and start any necessary treatment, which could mean applying splints, intravenous drips or administering durgs, to stabilise the patient before moving them to hospital.
Training Paramedics are specially selected and highly experienced ambulance technicians who undertake additional clinical training in life saving procedures. There are also a number of programmes in higher education that lead to qualifications in paramedical science.
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links British Paramedic Association , Ambulance Service Association
Perfusionist (alternative: clinical perfusion scientist)
Location Hospital
Description Perfusionists are members of the open-heart surgery team and are mainly responsible for the operation of the heart-lung machine. The perfusionist uses a number of highly technical, mechanical and electronic devices which temporarily take over a patient’s respiratory function and/or circulation of blood during an operation, to ensure that oxygen reaches the patient's body. Perfusionists also work in intensive therapy units to manage the circulation of critically-ill patients.
Training Degree in clinical sciences (perfusion), and practical experience and formal academic study leading to the Certificate of Accreditation in Basic Clinical Perfusion Sciences which is required for a perfusionist to practise independently.
Regulator None, but the Society of Perfusionists of Great Britain and Ireland has applied for the Health Professions Council (HPC) to regulate perfusionists.
Useful links Society of Perfusionists of Great Britain and Ireland
Pharmacist
Location Community, General practice, Health centre, Hospital, Private business
Description Pharmacists are experts in medicines and how to use them and provide information to patients on how to manage their medicines effectively. They can also advise medical and nursing staff on the selection and appropriate use of medicines, and advise patients on the use of over-the-counter medicines.
Training Masters degree in pharmacy plus a one-year period within a pharmacy before passing the Royal Pharmaceutical Society registration examination for entry on the Register of Pharmacists.
Regulator Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain , Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
Useful links See regulator
Phlebotomist
Location General practice, Health centre, Hospital
Description A phlebotomist specialises in extracting blood for analysis from patients, for examination in hospital laboratories, the results of which help in diagnosing illness. They ensure that blood is taken correctly without harming the patient and are responsible for transporting the blood sample to the correct laboratory for analysis.
Training Phlebotomists are specialised medical laboratory assistants who train for up to six months in hospital, leading to the successful completion of the National Occupational Standards.
Regulator None, but the National Association of Phlebotomists is applying to become one.
Useful links National Association of Phlebotomists
Physician assistant
Location Hospital
Description The role of physician assistant is a relatively new one in the NHS. The National Practitioner Programme has developed a programme to train and introduce nine physician assistant roles into the NHS. The job titles of these roles are currently provisional, but have been designated by the programme as follows. Physician assistants are not medically qualified and have not undergone the same medical education and training as doctors.
Advanced critical care practitioners will work as part of the critical care team. They will manage the critical care of patients by assessing and asking for diagnostic tests, initiating plans for care and treatment and performing specific invasive procedures.
Anaesthesia practitioners will work as part of the anaesthesia team and perform delegated roles including pre- and post-operative assessment and care of patients, and the maintenance of anaesthesia during procedures under supervision.
Assistant critical care practitioners are health and social care workers with an extended role of healthcare assistant undertaking some skills that would have been done by a nurse. Under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional, their role includes a variety of clinical and other tasks in the care and treatment of patients.
Assistant theatre practitioners will work in the operating department and perform tasks such as moving and admitting patients to the department, prepare and maintain the necessary operating instruments and equipment, assisting the operating team in passing instruments and in ensuring the sterile environment.
Endoscopy technicians will work as part of team and be responsible for maintaining the endoscopy equipment, carrying out a range of endoscopic procedures and ensuring patient safety during investigations, referring to other medical staff as appropriate.
Medical care practitioners will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and will carry out assessments of patients and make decisions on care using diagnostic skills and reasoning. They will plan the management of a patient’s care and perform therapeutic procedures and may prescribe medications. There are some US-trained physician assistants already working in the NHS as the equivalent of medical care practitioners.
Operating department practitioners will work with surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre nurses in the assessment, delivery and evaluation of operative care during the anaesthetic, surgical and recovery phases. Duties include assisting the patient prior to surgery and providing individualised care; the preparation of specialist equipment and drugs; providing the surgeon with the correct surgical instruments and materials; assessing and delivering patient care during recovery; and assessing the patient before being discharged to the ward.
Perioperative specialist practitioners will provide continuous support to the surgical team and have responsibilities for pre- and post-operative care of patients including discussing the procedure with patients and relatives, providing pain management and managing common post-operative complications, and discharging surgical patients.
Surgical care practitioners will work as part of a multidisciplinary team. They assist the surgical team and carry out some operative duties depending on their experience. Surgical care practitioners also undertake pre- and post-operative care, arrange any relevant investigations and manage the discharge process and follow-up care arrangements. They are supervised by a consultant surgeon who retains overall responsibility for the patient’s care.
Training Depending on the role, from an 18-month NVQ level 3 training programme, through a years’ training for experienced healthcare workers, or to a degree or postgraduate diploma.
Regulator None
Useful links National Practitioner Programme
Physiotherapist
Location Community, Hospital
Description Physiotherapists treat physical problems caused by accidents, illness or ageing, to rehabilitate patients. They work in many hospital departments, as well as in the community, and use manual therapies, therapeutic exercise and hydrotherapy, for example, and specialist equipment to treat patients.
Training Degree in physiotherapy
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Podiatrist (alternative: chiropodist)
Location General practice, Health centre, Hospital
Description Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat abnormalities of the feet and advise on the prevention of foot problems and on the proper care of the foot. Patients can be of all ages, from infants to the elderly, and they may be based in hospital, health centres or GP surgeries. Sometimes they may visit patients who are unable to leave their home or nursing home, and may also see patients at high risk of amputation, for example, those suffering from diabetes.
Training Degree in podiatry
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists , British Chiropody and Podiatry Association , Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
Prosthetist
Location Hospital
Description Prosthetists work with patients of all ages who were born without a limb, or who have lost a limb as a result of an accident, amputation, or having a disease such as diabetes. They work as part of a clinical team, alongside doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Prosthetists provide the best available artificial replacement for patients lacking a limb through designing and fitting a model limb, with the aim of enabling patients to lead as normal a life as possible.
Training Degree in prosthetics and orthotics.
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists
Psychologist (alternatives: clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist)
Location Community, General practice, Health centre, Hospital
Description Psychologists can specialise in child psychology, mental health, clinical psychology, counselling or educational psychology and, within the NHS, patients are most likely to consult with either clinical or counselling psychologists.
Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological wellbeing. They work with people with mental or physical health problems which might include anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, adjustment to physical illness, neurological disorders, addictive behaviours, childhood behaviour disorders and/or personal and family relationships. They work with people throughout their life-span and with those with learning disabilities. Clinical psychologists often work alongside other professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
Counselling psychologists apply psychology to working collaboratively with people across a wide range of human problems, including helping people to manage difficult life events such as bereavement and past and present relationships. They also work with patients with mental health problems and disorders. They may work directly with individuals, couples or families.
Training Degree in psychology plus further postgraduate training to become a chartered member of the British Psychological Society.
Regulator At present it is not legally necessary to register as a chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society, but the society recommends that patients should see a chartered psychologist
Useful links British Psychological Society
Psychotherapist
Location Community, Health centre, Hospital, School
Description Psychotherapists help patients explore difficult emotions and experiences which may include feelings of anxiety, depression or trauma. Treatments are based on talking to another person or doing things together. Psychotherapy may be provided for adults, children, couples, families and/or groups.
Training Postgraduate qualification in psychotherapy
Regulator The practice of psychotherapy is not officially regulated in the UK although a National Register of Psychotherapists is published annually by the UK Council for Psychotherapy.
Useful links UK Council for Psychotherapy
Radiographer – diagnostic
Location General practice, Health centre, Hospital
Description Diagnostic radiographers use a range of different imaging techniques such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to provide a picture of the area of the patient being investigated in order to help make a diagnosis.
Training Degree in radiography.
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links Society and College of Radiographers
Radiographer – therapeutic (alternative: radiotherapy radiographer)
Location Hospital
Description Therapeutic radiographers work within the oncology team to treat patients with cancer, by using targeted doses of X-rays and other radiation under highly controlled conditions.
Training Degree in radiography.
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links Society and College of Radiographers
Radiographer assistant (alternatives: assistant practitioner, imaging support worker)
Location Hospital
Description Radiographer assistants assist patients and radiographers. Their level of responsibility depends on the nature of the work of the team they are in and their experience.
Training Degree or NVQ qualification, or in-practice training and short courses.
Regulator None
Useful links Society and College of Radiographers
Speech and language therapist
Location Hospital
Description Speech and language therapists work with people of all ages who have difficulties in communicating or with chewing or swallowing. This may include children with speech development problems, people with speech defects such as a stammer and those who have problems with eating.
Training Degree or postgraduate qualification.
Regulator Health Professions Council
Useful links Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Information sources for this section of the glossary are: NHS Careers and the useful links.