Thursday, August 29, 2013

Deciphering the Alphabet Soup of Medical Professionals' Initials


If you've ever wondered what the meanings are behind the letters and abbreviations at the end of your healthcare practitioner's name, you're not alone. Beyond the commonly known credentials, MD (medical doctor), RN (registered nurse) and PA (physician assistant), there is a litany of titles that signify a medical professional's specialization, training and professional affiliations. Chances are, as a patient, you know which ailments your doctor or medical professional is capable of treating.

These abbreviations can sometimes be found on a clinician's business card but to ensure that you have the right title before ordering, check the list provided below.

A Summary of Common Medical Professional Titles

CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator

CNM - Certified Nurse Midwife

CPT - Certified Phlebotomy Technician

DHM or DHm - Doctor of Homeopathic Medicine

DMD - Doctor of Dental Medicine

DMFT - Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy

DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery

DO - Doctor of Osteopathy

DOM - Doctor of Oriental Medicine

DPM - Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

DVM - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

EMT - Emergency Medical Technician

EENT or ENT - Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (MD)

EPC - Certified Exercise Physiologist

FAAD - Fellow American Academy of Dermatology

FAAFP - Fellow American Academy of Family Physicians

FAAO - Fellow American Academy of Optometry

FAAP - Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics

FACE - Fellow American College of Endocrinology

FACP - Fellow American College of Physicians

FACS - Fellow American College of Surgeons

FADA - Fellow American Dietetic Association

FAGD - Fellow Academy of General Dentistry

FAPhA - Fellow American Pharmaceutical Association

FASHP - Fellow American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

FNP - Family Nurse Practitioner

FNP-C - Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified

GP - General Physician

HMD - Homeopathic Medical Doctor

IBCLC- International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

ICCE - Certified Childbirth Educator

ICPE - Certified Postnatal Educator

LAc - Licensed Acupuncturist

LCCE- Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator

LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LM - Licensed Midwife

LMA - Licensed Masters of Social Work, Adv Clinical Practitioner

LN - Licensed Nutritionist

LNC - Licensed Nutritionist Counselor

LNHA- Licensed Nursing Home Administrator

LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse

LVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse

MA - Medical Assistant

MAc - Masters in Acupuncture

MD - Medical Doctor

ME - Medical Examiner

MHSc - Master of Health Science

MNNP - Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner

MPH - Master of Public Health

MS - Master of Science Degree

MSN - Master of Nursing

MSW - Master of Social Work

ND - Naturopathic Doctor

NMD - Naturopathic Medical Doctor

NP - Nurse Practitioner

NP-C - Nurse Practitioner, Certified

OB/GYN - Obstetrician who is also a Gynecologist

OCN - Oncology Certified Nurse

OD - Doctor of Optometry; Optometrist

ONC - Orthopaedic (Orthopedic) Nurse, Certified

OPA-C - Orthopaedic (Orthopedic) Physician Assistant, Certified

OT - Occupational Therapist

PA - Physician Assistant

PA-C - Physician Assistant, Certified

PharmD - Pharmacy Doctorate

PhD - Doctorate Degree

PsyD - Doctor of Psychology

PT - Physical Therapist

PTA - Physical Therapist Assistant

RAc - Registered Acupuncturist

RD - Registered Dietitian

RDH - Registered Dental Hygienist

RDN - Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

RKT - Registered Kinesiotherapist

RN - Registered Nurse

RN-C - Registered Nurse, Certified

RNCS - Registered Nurse Clinical Specialist

RN/NP - Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner

RPA-C - Registered Physician Assistant, Certified

RPh - Registered Pharmacist

RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist

The medical apparel industry is tasked with understanding medical and technical titles to best serve their clients, who wear lab coats and clinician scrubs in clinical settings, at the hospital, in laboratories and at the office. Lab coats typically bear the names and titles of their owners, who are educated and trained in their chosen profession. When ordering lab coats and scrubs as gifts for graduation, white coat ceremonies or for the holidays and birthdays, it's important to obtain the recipient's correct title before it is embroidered on the coat.

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