Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:The Culture of Health Care
Unit:Health Professionals The People in Health Care
Lecture:Physician assistants, Pharmacists, Therapists, Technicians, Paramedics, Dental Professionals, Mental Health Professionals, Care Coordinators
Non-clinical IT/Informatics Roles for Clinicians
Effects of Changing Care Models on Clinicians
Slide content:Mental Health Professionals Roles and Training Position Role Preparation Requirements Counselor Directly counsel patients. Cannot prescribe medications. Usually earn masters degree. Licensure required by all states. Certification varies by state. Psychologist May or may not directly counsel patients. Administer and analyze psychological tests. Cannot prescribe medications. Usually earn doctoral degree (PhD). Licensure required by all state. Certification varies by state. Psychiatrist Counseling Therapy. Manage medications used to treat. psychological disorders. Can prescribe medications. Must complete medical school and a psychiatry residency. Licensure required by all states by USLME exams Certification usually required for hospital privileges and insurance payment. 2.3 Table: Mental Health Professionals Roles and Training 23
Slide notes:There are many types of mental health professionals, including counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Counselors usually complete a masters degree, psychologists complete a doctoral degree, and psychiatrists complete medical school and a psychiatry residency program. Training may be general or in more specific areas, such as marital counseling, pediatrics counseling, eating disorders, geriatrics, and treatment of addiction. All states require counselors and psychologists to be licensed. Psychiatrists must maintain a physician s license in all states with some variation in requirements. Like any specialty, board certification in psychiatry is not a state requirement, but it is usually required for hospital privileges and for reimbursement by many types of payers. Mental health professionals participate in diagnosis, group and individual therapy, and counseling. Psychiatrists have the additional ability to prescribe medications. In many facilities, counselors and psychologists work with psychiatrists or other physicians to add medication to their treatment strategy. 23