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Ever wonder what the letters behind someone's name mean? A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U AAA: Associate of (or in) Arts degree; an Associate's degree is generally a two-year degree (the term is used in the US; in Canada, the term usually used for equivalent education is "diploma"). AAS: Associate of (or in) Applied Science degree; an Associate's degree is generally a two-year degree (the term is used in the US; in Canada, the term usually used for equivalent education is "diploma"). ABA: American Board of Anesthesiology ABAI: American Board of Allergy & Immunology ABCRS: American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery ABD: American Board of Dermatology ABD: "All but Dissertation." This is usually seen as PhD(ABD), which means that a person has completed all the coursework and comprehensive exams for a PhD, but hasn't completed writing, defending, and/or finalizing their dissertation, thus could have on average 18 months before they actually earn the degree. The person may also have decided against completing a PhD. PhD(ABD) is not the same as a degree, and this acronym is sometimes misleading for readers unfamiliar with academic terminology. ABEM: American Board of Emergency Medicine ABFM: American Board of Family Medicine ABIM: American Board of Internal Medicine ABMG: American Board of Medical Genetics ABNM: American Board of Nuclear Medicine ABNS: American Board of Neurological Surgery ABOG: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology ABOP: American Board of Ophthalmology ABOS: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery ABOto: American Board of Otolaryngology ABP: American Board of Pathology ABP: American Board of Pediatrics ABPM: American Board of Preventive Medicine ABPMR: American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation ABPN: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology ABPS: American Board of Plastic Surgery ABR: American Board of Radiology ABS: American Board of Surgery ABTS: American Board of Thoracic Surgery ABU: American Board of Urology ACHRN: Advanced Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the Baromedical Nurses Association (BNA) ACNPC: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certified; a credential offered (new as of late 2007) by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) ACRN: AIDS Certified Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) AD: Associate's degree; an Associate's degree is generally a two-year degree (the term is used in the US; in Canada, the term usually used for equivalent education is "diploma"). ANP: Adult Nurse Practitioner; generally an acronym for a program name (e.g., ANP Program) or title; the credential is usually either APRN,BC (offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC]), or NP-C (offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners [AANP] Certification Program). AOCN: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse; a credential offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). AOCNP: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner; a credential offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). AOCNS: Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist; a credential offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). APRN,BC or ABRN, BC: An advanced practice certification for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and specialists in advanced diabetes management, offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). APRN,BC-PCM or APRN, BC-PCM: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Board Certified-Palliative Care Management; a credential offered by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) in association with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). BBA: Bachelor of Arts, also called a baccalaureate; generally a four-year degree (see exception below). BA(Hons): Honours Bachelor of Arts; in some jurisdictions (e.g., Ontario, Canada); this means a four-year degree – it does not mean the same thing as academic honors, such as "summa cum laude"; in these jurisdictions, a three-year "Bachelor's degree" is referred to as an Ordinary BA. BB(ASCP): Technologist in Blood Banking certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. BDentSci, BDSc: Bachelor of Dental Science BDS: Bachelor of Dental Surgery BHS: Bachelor of Health Science BHyg: Bachelor of Hygiene BM or BMed: Bachelor of Medicine; doctor designation in some jurisdictions (e.g., Australia); usually a 5-year degree (see also BM BCH, CB, ChB, MB, MBBS, MBChB, BM ChB). BM BCH: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery; the "Ch" is from the Latin for surgeon, chirurgia, which is from the Greek cheirourgia (see also BM, BMed, CB, ChB, MB, MBBS, MBChB, BM ChB). BMedBiol: Bachelor of Medical Biology BMedSci or BMS: Bachelor of Medical Science BMic: Bachelor of Microbiology BMT: Bachelor of Medical Technology BN: Bachelor of Nursing BO: Bachelor of Osteopathy. Osteopathy is "a system of therapy … based on the theory that the body can make its own remedies against disease and other toxic conditions when it is in normal structural relationship and has favorable environmental conditions and adequate nutrition. It uses generally accepted physical, medicinal, and surgical methods of diagnosis and therapy, while placing chief emphasis on maintenance of normal body mechanics and on manipulative methods of detecting and correcting faulty structure." (Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary) BP or BPharm: Bachelor of Pharmacy BPH: Bachelor of Public Health BPHEng: Bachelor of Public Health Engineering BPHN: Bachelor of Public Health Nursing BS or BSc: Bachelor of Science; generally a four-year degree (see exception below). BS(Hons) or BSc(Hons): Honours Bachelor of Science; in some jurisdictions (e.g., Ontario, Canada); this means a four-year degree – it does not mean the same thing as academic honors, such as "summa cum laude"; in these jurisdictions, a three-year "Bachelor's degree" is referred to as an Ordinary BS or BSc. BSM or BScM: Bachelor of Science in Medicine BScN or BSN: Bachelor of Science in Nursing BScPh or BSPh: Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy BSW: Bachelor of Social Work BVMS: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Science BVSc: Bachelor of Veterinary Science CC(ASCP): Technologist in Chemistry certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. CAPA: Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse; a credential offered by the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. (ABPANC). CB or ChB: Bachelor of Surgery; the "C" and "Ch" are from the Latin for surgeon, chirurgia, which is from the Greek cheirourgia. (see also BM, BMed, MB, MBBS, MBChB, BM ChB) CBI: Certificate in Breast Imaging; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). CCA: Certified Coding Associate; a credential offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). CCHP: Certified Correctional Health Professional; a credential offered by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. CCM: Certified Case Manager; a credential offered by the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC). CCNS: Critical Care Nurse Specialist; a credential offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). CCRN: Critical Care Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). CCS: Certified Coding Specialist; a credential offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). CCS-P: Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Based; a credential offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). CDA: Certified Dental Assistant; length of educational program to obtain credential is generally 9-12 months (see also DA). CDE: Certified Diabetes Educator; a credential offered by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE). CDMS: Certified Disability Management Specialist; a credential offered by the Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission (CDMSC). CDN: Certified Dialysis Nurse; a credential offered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC). CEN: Certified Emergency Nurse; a credential offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). CFRN: Certified Emergency Flight Nurse; a credential offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). CGRN: Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the Certifying Board of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. (CBGNA). ChD: Doctor of Surgery; a post-medical degree specialty program; the "Ch" is from the Latin for surgeon, chirurgia, which is from the Greek cheirourgia (see also DCh). CHE: Certified Healthcare Executive; a credential offered by the American College of Healthcare Executives. ChM or CM: Master of Surgery; a post-medical degree specialty program; the "Ch" and "C" are from the Latin for surgeon, chirurgia, which is from the Greek cheirourgia (see also MC, MS). CCP: Certified in Healthcare Privacy; a credential offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). CHPN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse; a credential offered by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) in association with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). CHRN: Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the Baromedical Nurses Association (BNA). CHRNC: Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse Clinician; a credential offered by the Baromedical Nurses Association (BNA). CHS: Certified in Healthcare Security; a credential offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). CHPS: Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security ; a credential (new in 2007) offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). CIH: Certificate in Industrial Health CLS: Clinical Laboratory Scientist; a medical laboratory credential which may be obtained after earning a Bachelor's degree. CLS(NCA): Clinical Laboratory Scientist holding the credential through the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA); a medical laboratory credential which may be obtained after earning a relevant Bachelor's degree and clinical laboratory training. CLT: Certified Laboratory Technician CLT(NCA): Certified Laboratory Technician holding the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA); a medical laboratory credential which may be obtained after earning a relevant Associate's degree and clinical laboratory training. CM: Certified Midwife; a credential offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). CMA: Certified Medical Assistant; a non-licensed healthcare worker performing clerical, administrative, and basic clinical support to doctors; the credential that can be obtained after completing a medical assistant program (either via a one-year certificate or diploma program, or via a two-year Associate's degree); see The American Association of Medical Assistants. (See also RMA.) CMAC:Case Management Administrator Certification; a credential offered by The Center for Case Management, Inc. CMC: Certified Medical Coder. there are two groups that offer this credential. One is the American Association of Clinical Coders & Auditors (AACCA), which lists this credential as CMC®, while the other is the Practice Management Institute, which lists the credential as CMC. CMIS: Certified Medical Insurance Specialist; a credential offered by the Practice Management Institute. CMOM: Certified Medical Office Manager; a credential offered by the Practice Management Institute. CMS: Certificate in Management Studies; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). CMSRN: Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN). CMT: Certified Medical Transcriptionist; a credential offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI), formerly the American Association for Medical Transcription. CNM: Certified Nurse Midwife; a credential offered by The American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council (ACC). CNMT: Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist; a credential offered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). CNN: Certified Nephrology Nurse; a credential offered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC). CNOR: This acronym does not stand for anything specific, it signifies only that an individual has met all the education, examination, or experience requirements necessary to be certified in operating room nursing by the Competency & Credentialing Institute (formerly the Certification Board Perioperative Nursing) of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). CNRN: Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN). CNS: Clinical Nurse Specialist; usually used as an acronym for a job title where a nurse works in an advanced practice capacity; the actual credential is usually longer and incorporates "CNS", e.g., Critical Care Nurse Specialist (CCNS) (offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses [AACN]), Certified Urologic Clinical Nurse Specialist (CUCNS) (offered by the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates [SUNA]), etc. COC: Certified Outpatient Coder; a credential offered by the American Association of Clinical Coders & Auditors (AACCA). COCN: Certified Continence Care Nurse; a credential offered by the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB). COHN: Certified Occupational Health Nurse; a credential offered by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (ABOHN). COHN/CM: Certified Occupational Health Nurse/Case Manager; a credential offered by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (ABOHN). COHN-S: Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist; a credential offered by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (ABOHN). COHN-S/CM: Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist/Case Manager; a credential offered by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (ABOHN). COTA: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant; credential that can be obtained by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT), after earning an Associate's degree in occupational therapy. CPAN: Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse; a credential offered by the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. (ABPANC). CPC: Certified Professional Coder; a credential offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). CPC-H: Certified Professional Coder-Hospital; a credential offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). CPC-P: Certified Professional Coder-Payer; a credential offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). CPFT: Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist; a credential offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). CPN: Certified Pediatric Nurse; a credential offered by the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses, Inc. (NCBPNP/N). CPON: Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse; a credential offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). CPNP: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; a credential offered by the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses, Inc. (NCBPNP/N). CRCS: Canadian Registered Cardiac Sonographer; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP). CRGS: Canadian Registered General Sonographer; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP). CRN: Credential for nurses who have written the Certification Examination for Radiologic Nursing, offered by the American Radiological Nurses Association (ARNA). CRNA: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist; a credential offered by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). CRNFA: Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant; an operating certification offered by the Certification Board Perioperative Nursing of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). CRNI: Certified Registered Nurse Infusion; a credential offered by the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation of the Infusion Nurses Society (INS). CRRN: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN). CRRN-A: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse – Advanced; a credential offered by the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN). CRT: Certified Respiratory Therapist; a credential offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). CRTT: Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician; sometimes used as a job title, but sometimes used to mean CRT. CRVS: Canadian Registered Vascular Sonographer; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP). CSA: Certified Surgical Assistant; a credential offered by the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA). CSPI: Certified Specialist in Poison Information; a credential offered by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). CST: Certified Surgical Technologist; a credential offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). CST/CFA: Certified First Assistant; a credential offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). CT(ASCP): Cytotechnologist certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. CTIC: Computed Tomography Imaging Certificate; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). CTropMed: Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travelers' Health; a credential offered by The American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH). CUCNS: Certified Urologic Clinical Nurse Specialist; a credential offered by the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA). CUNP: Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner; a credential offered by the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA). CURN: Certified Urologic Registered Nurse; a credential offered by the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA). CWCN: Certified Wound Care Nurse; a credential offered by the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB). CWOCN: Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse; a credential offered by the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB). CWS: Certified Wound Specialist; a credential offered by the American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM). DDA: Dental Assistant (see also CDA) DC: Doctor of Chiropractic DCH: Diploma in Child Health DCh: Doctor of Surgery; the "Ch" is from the Latin for surgeon, chirurgia, which is from the Greek cheirourgia (see also ChD). DChO: Doctor of Ophthalmic Surgery; the "Ch" is from the Latin for surgeon, chirurgia, which is from the Greek cheirourgia. DCM: Doctor of Comparative Medicine DCP: Diploma in Clinical Pathology, or Diploma in Clinical Psychology DDR: Diploma in Diagnostic Radiology DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery DDSc: Doctor of Dental Science DFHom: Diploma from a Faculty of Homeopathy; homeopathy is an alternative medicine practice in which a condition is treated using small amounts of substances that, when used in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated. DHg, DHy, DHyg, or DrHyg: Doctor of Hygiene Dip: Diplomate or Diploma DipBact: Diploma in Bacteriology DipChem: Diploma in Chemistry DipClinPath: Diploma in Clinical Pathology DipMicrobiol: Diploma in Microbiology DipPhys or DPhys: Diploma in Physiotherapy DipSocMed: Diploma in Social Medicine DLM(ASCP): Diplomate in Laboratory Management certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. DMD: Dentariae Medicinae Doctor (the Latin version of the English below) DMD: Doctor of Dental Medicine (the English version of the Latin above) DMT: Doctor of Medical Technology DMV: Doctorat en Médecine Vétérinaire (see also DVM, DVMS, DVS, DVSc) DO: Doctor of Optometry (see also OD) DO: Doctor of Osteopathy. Osteopathy is "a system of therapy … based on the theory that the body can make its own remedies against disease and other toxic conditions when it is in normal structural relationship and has favorable environmental conditions and adequate nutrition. It uses generally accepted physical, medicinal, and surgical methods of diagnosis and therapy, while placing chief emphasis on maintenance of normal body mechanics and on manipulative methods of detecting and correcting faulty structure." (Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary) DN: Doctor of Nursing DNE: Doctor of Nursing Education DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice; this degree was developed in 1999 to respond to a national need for increased access to comprehensive patient care. DNP certification is a three part process: Candidates must attain licensure as advanced practice nurses, graduate from a DNP program, and successfully complete the CACC Doctor of Nursing Practice Certification Examination. (For more information see The American Board of Comprehensive Care.) DNS or DNSc: Doctor of Nursing Science DNC: Dermatology Nurse Certified; a credential offered by the Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA). DON: Director of Nursing DOS or DOSc: Doctor of Ocular Science DOS or DOSc: Doctor of Optical Science DP: Doctor of Pharmacy (see also PharmD and PD) DP: Doctor of Podiatry (see also DPM) DPH: Doctor of Public Health DPH: Doctor of Public Hygiene (see also DrPH) DPhC: Doctor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry DPHN: Doctor of Public Health Nursing DPM: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (see also DP) DPM: Doctor of Physical Medicine DPM: Doctor of Preventive Medicine DPM: Doctor of Psychiatric Medicine DrMed: Doctor of Medicine (see also MD); in some jurisdictions, the degree of Doctor of Medicine is a higher doctorate than "MD," reserved for those who have contributed significantly to the study of medicine. DrPH: Doctor of Public Health DrPH: Doctor of Public Hygiene (see also DPH) DSc: Doctor of Science DSE: Doctor of Sanitary Engineering DSIM or DScIM: Doctor of Science in Industrial Medicine DSSc: Diploma in Sanitary Science DTR: Dietetic Technician, Registered; a credential offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). DVM: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (see also DMV, DVMS, DVS, DVSc, MVD) DVMS: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (see also DMV, DVM, DVS, DVSc, MVD) DVR: Doctor of Veterinary Radiology DVS or DVSc: Doctor of Veterinary Science (see also DMV, DVM, DVMS, MVD) EEdD: Doctor of Education EMT: Emergency Medical Technician. This acronym is sometimes used generally for anyone in emergency medical services. The most basic level of provider is generally known as a first responder, followed by EMT-B, EMT-I, and EMT-P (see below). EMT-A: In some jurisdictions you will see this, and depending on the jurisdiction, it may mean "Ambulance" (i.e., ambulance attendant) and in others, it may mean "Advanced." EMT-B: Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. EMT-I: Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate. EMT-P: Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic. Usually called simply "paramedic." ENPC: Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, a 16-hour post-RN course; offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). ET: Enterostomal Therapist; the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) offers credentialing in this specialty, including: Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) and Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN). FFAAFP: Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians FAAN: Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing FAANP: Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners FACAAI: Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology FACC: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology FACD: Fellow of the American College of Dentists FACHE: Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; a credential offered by the American College of Healthcare Executives. FACG: Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology FACOG: Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists FACP: Fellow of the American College of Physicians FACPE: Fellow of the American College of Physician Executives FACPM: Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine FACS: Fellow of the American College of Surgeons FACSM: Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine FAMA: Fellow of the American Medical Association FAAMT: Fellow of the American Association for Medical Transcription (now known as the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). FAOTA: Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association FAPA: Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association FAPHA: Fellow of the American Public Health Association FCAP: Fellow of the College of American Pathologists FCCP: Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians FCPS: Fellow of the College of Physicians and Surgeons FDS: Fellow in Dental Surgery FDSRCSEng: Fellow in Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England FICD: Fellow of the International College of Dentists FIMLT: Fellow of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology; generally a title used outside of North America. FNAP: Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP). The NAP sections include dentistry, medicine, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, psychology, social work, and veterinary medicine. FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner; generally an acronym for a program name (e.g., FNP Program) or title; the credential is usually either APRN,BC (offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC]), or NP-C (offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners [AANP] Certification Program). FRCGP: Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK) FRCNA: Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) FRCOG: Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UK) FRCP: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) FRCPath: Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) FRCPC or FRCP(C): Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada FRCS: Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England FRCSC or FRCS(C): Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada FSCAI: Fellow of the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions GGNP: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner; generally an acronym for a program name (e.g., GNP Program) or title; the credential is usually APRN,BC (offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). GP: General Practitioner; an acronym for a title, not a credential GTS: GI Technical Specialist. From the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates' position statement "Role Delineation of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel in Gastroenterology": "Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is an unlicensed individual who is trained to function in an assistive role to the licensed nurse in the provision of patient/client activities as delegated by the nurse. … UAPs who have specialized training or education in a specific area (Gastrointestinal), may be further classified as Technicians, for example, GI assistants, GI techs, or GTS (GI Technical Specialist) who have direct patient care responsibility and are supervised by a Registered Nurse." HH(ASCP): Medical Technologist in Hematology certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. HP(ASCP): Hemapheresis Practitioner certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. HT(ASCP): Histotechnician certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. HTL(ASCP): Histotechnologist certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. HNC: Certified Holistic Nurse; a credential offered by the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA). HNC: Hyperbaric Nurse Clinician; a credential offered by the Baromedical Nurses Association (BNA). II(ASCP): Medical Technologist in Immunology certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry; will be discontinued after 12/31/2004. IBCLC: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant; a credential offered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. The credential is available to licensed, clinical healthcare professionals, as well as to others who have met the IBLCE's requirements. JJD: Doctor of Jurisprudence (or simply, Doctor of Laws); the reason it's reversed, JD rather than DJ, is due to the title's Latin roots. In Latin, it's Juris Doctor – thus, JD. LLMCC: Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada LNCC: Legal Nurse Consultant Certified; a credential offered by the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board (ALNCCB). LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse (in some locations known as an LVN); a graduate from a (usually) one-year diploma/certificate program at a vocational/technical school. LPN, CLTC: Licensed Practical Nurse certified in Long-Term Care by the National Association for Practical Nurse Education & Service, Inc. (NAPNES). LPN, NCP: Licensed Practical Nurse certified in Pharmacology by the National Association for Practical Nurse Education & Service, Inc. (NAPNES). LVN: Licensed Vocational Nurse (in some locations known as an LPN); a graduate from a (usually) one-year diploma/certificate program at a vocational/technical school. LVN, CLTC: Licensed Vocational Nurse certified in Long-Term Care by the National Association for Practical Nurse Education & Service, Inc. (NAPNES). LVN, NCP: Licensed Vocational Nurse certified in Pharmacology by the National Association for Practical Nurse Education & Service, Inc. (NAPNES). MMA: Master of Arts M(ASCP): Medical Technologist in Microbiology certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. MB: Bachelor of Medicine (see also BM, BMed, CB, ChB, MBChB, BM ChB) MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (see also BM, BM ChB, BMed, CB, ChB, MB, MBChB) MBChB: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; doctor designation in some jurisdictions (e.g., the UK); usually a 5-year degree; the "Ch" is from the Latin for surgeon, chirurgia, which is from the Greek cheirourgia (see also BM, BM ChB, BMed, CB, ChB, MB, MBBS). MC: Master of Surgery; the "C" is from the Latin for surgeon, chirurgia, which is from the Greek cheirourgia; (see also ChM, CM, MS). MCPS: Member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons MD: Doctor of Medicine – the reason it's reversed, MD rather than DM, is due to the title's Latin roots. In Latin, it's Medicinae Doctor – thus, MD. (see also DrMed) MDentSc: Master of Dental Science (see also MScD) MDS: Master of Dental Surgery MLT: Medical Laboratory Technician (in the US); sometimes in other countries, Medical Laboratory Technologist. MLT(ASCP): Medical Laboratory Technician certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. MN: Master of Nursing (see also MScN or MSN) MPh: Master of Pharmacy (see also MPharm) MPH: Master of Public Health MP(ASCP): Medical Technologist in Molecular Pathology certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. MPharm: Master of Pharmacy (see also MPh) MRad: Master of Radiology MRCP(UK): Membership in the Royal College of Physicians (UK) MRL: Medical Records Librarian MS: Master of Surgery (see also ChM, CM, MC) MS or MSc: Master of Science MScD: Master of Dental Science (see also MDentSc) MScN or MSN: Master of Science in Nursing (see also MN) MScPH or MSPH: Master of Science in Public Health MSPh, MScPh, MSPharm, or MScPharm: Master of Science in Pharmacy MSW: Master of Social Work MT: Medical Technologist MT(ASCP): Medical Technologist certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. MVD: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (see also DMV, DVMS, DVS, DVSc) NNCSN: National Certified School Nurse; a credential offered by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN). NCT: Nuclear Cardiology Technologist; a credential offered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). ND: Doctor of Nursing ND: Doctor of Naturopathy; Naturopathy is "a drugless system of therapy, making use of physical forces such as air, light, water, heat, massage, etc." (Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary) NMT: Nuclear Medicine Technologist NP: Nurse Practitioner; generally an acronym for a program name (e.g., a NP Program) or title; the credential is offered through a credentialing body, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). NP-C: A credential for nurse practitioners in all specialties, offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certification Program. OOCN: Oncology Certified Nurse; a credential offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). OD: Doctor of Optometry (see also DO) ONC: Orthopaedic Nurse Certified; a credential offered by the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses' (NAON) Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board. OT: Occupational Therapist; generally an acronym for the position of Occupational Therapist, not a credential. OTR or OTReg: Registered Occupational Therapist PPA: Physician Assistant; PA generally an acronym for the position of Physician Assistant, not a credential; PAs are individuals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision; responsibilities include: performing physicals, diagnosing/treating illnesses, ordering/interpreting tests; assisting with surgery, writing prescriptions (most states), etc.; the average PA training program lasts 26 months, and the typical applicant to the program has a Bachelor's degree and four years of healthcare experience. PA-C: Physician Assistant-Certified; a credential offered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). PCCN: Progressive Care Certified Nurse; a credential offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). PCP: Primary Care Physician; generally an acronym for the position of Primary Care Physician, not a credential. PD: Doctor of Pharmacy; the reason it's reversed, PD rather than DP, is due to the title's Latin roots. In Latin, it's Pharmaciae Doctor – thus, PD. (see also PharmD and DP) PharmD: Doctor of Pharmacy – the reason it's reversed, PharmD rather than DPharm, is due to the title's Latin roots. In Latin, it's Pharmaciae Doctor – thus, PharmD. (see also DP and PD) PhD: Doctor of Philosophy – the reason it's reversed, PhD rather than DPh, is due to the title's Latin roots. In Latin, it's Philosophiae Doctor – thus, PhD. PMHNP: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; the credential offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is actually PMHNP-BC. Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner also receive the PMHNP-BC credential through the ANCC. PNP: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; generally an acronym for the position of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, not a credential. PsyD: Doctor of Psychology; however, many psychologists have a PhD rather than a PsyD. PT: Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist; generally an acronym for the position of Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist, not a credential. QQMRP: Qualified Mental Retardation Professional; for more information, see The National Association of QMRPs. RRD: Registered Dietician; a credential offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). RDA: Registered Dental Assistant RDA Level I: Registered Dental Assistant Level I; in some jurisdictions (e.g., Alberta, Canada); this means individuals who are registered to perform chairside assisting and reception duties, but have not completed any intra-oral training. RDA Level II: Registered Dental Assistant Level II; in some jurisdictions (e.g., Alberta, Canada); this means individuals who are registered in any or all of the legal intra-oral duties after completion of an in-school formal training program. RDCS: Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer; a credential offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). RDMS: Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer; a credential offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). RHIA: Registered Health Information Administrator; a credential offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). RHIT: Registered Health Information Technician; a credential offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). RMA: Registered Medical Assistant; a non-licensed healthcare worker performing clerical, administrative, and basic clinical support to doctors; the credential that can be obtained after completing a medical assistant program (either via a one-year certificate or diploma program, or via a two-year Associate's degree). (see also CMA) RMT: Registered Medical Transcriptionist; a credential offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI), formerly the American Association for Medical Transcription. RN: Registered Nurse RN,BC or RN, BC: A basic certification for baccalaureate (or higher) nurses, offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). RN,C or RN, C: A certification for Associate degree or diploma nurses, offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). RNA: Registered Nurse Anesthetist RNA: Registered Nursing Assistant RNC: A credential offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC) for various nursing specialists, including Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner; the following specialists also receive "RNC" credential, but would include the additional "letters" indicated: Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (INPT); Maternal Newborn Nursing (MN); Low Risk Neonatal Nursing (LRN); Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (NIC); Telephone Nursing Practice (TNP). ROUB: Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist; a credential offered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). (This was formerly offered by the ARDMS.) RPh: Registered Pharmacist RPFT: Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist; a credential offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). RPT: Registered Physical Therapist or Registered Physiotherapist RRA: Registered Record Librarian or Registered Records Librarian RRT: Registered Respiratory Therapist; a credential offered by groups such as the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT). RT: Respiratory Therapist or Radiological Technologist; generally an acronym for the positions, not a credential. RTMR: Registered Technologist in Magnetic Resonance; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). RTN(ARRT): Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist; a credential offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). RTNM: Registered Technologist in Nuclear Medicine; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). RTR: Registered Technologist in Radiological Technology; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). RTR(ARRT): Registered Radiography Technologist; a credential offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). RTT: Registered Technologist in Radiation Therapy; a credential offered by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). RTT(ARRT): Registered Radiation Therapist; a credential offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). RVT: Registered Vascular Technologist; a credential offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). SSBB(ASCP): Specialist in Blood Banking certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. SC(ASCP): Specialist in Chemistry certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. SCT(ASCP): Specialist in Cytotechnology certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. SH(ASCP): Specialist in Hematology certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. SLS(ASCP): Specialist in Laboratory Safety certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. SM(ASCP): Specialist in Microbiology certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. SV(ASCP): Specialist in Virology certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry. SW: Social Worker; generally an acronym for the position of Social Worker, not a credential. TTNCC: Trauma Nursing Core Course; a 16- to 20-hour post-RN course; offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). UUAP: Unlicensed Assistive Personnel. The American Nurses Association defines UAPs as "individuals who are trained to function in an assistive role to the registered professional nurse in the provision of patient/client care activities as delegated by and under the supervision of the registered professional nurse." Discuss This ArticleHave something you'd like to say? Tell us what you think! Read and post comments for this article. Like this article? Read more! Browse our archive of 1,548 career resources. Also, see our master index of all MedHunters articles! Find a JobChoose your career: MedHunters is the world's biggest healthcare job board. Our job directory has 16,443 jobs with 2,364 hospitals and other direct employers. We want you to find your next job on MedHunters. Need Help? Call us at 1-888-884-8242, email us at info@medhunters.com or sign up now. Have an article or story for MedHunters? Email us today at submissions@medhunters.com. |
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