A
AA
- Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Associate in Arts degree
AAAA
American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants; certifying exam offered by the NCCAA (National Commission for the Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants). As of August 2011, the AAAA website reports that AAs currently work in 18 states
AABB
American Association of Blood Banks
AACC
American Association for Clinical Chemistry
AACN
American Association of Critical Care Nurses; AACN Certification Corporation offers the CCRN, PCCN, CCRN-E, CCNS and ACNPC specialty exams, and the CMC and CSC subspecialty exams, and with the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Credentialing Center, AACN also offers the CNML exam.
AAFP
American Academy of Family Physicians
AAHC
Association of Academic Health Centers
AAHE
American Association for Health Education
AAMA
- American Academy of Medical Administrators; offers the CAAMA credential and Fellow and Diplomate status
- American Association of Medical Assistants; the Certifying Board of the AAMA offers the CMA credential
AAMC
American Association of Medical Colleges; the AAMC represents all 135 accredited US medical schools and the 17 accredited Canadian medical schools
AAMI
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation; AAMI’s Board of Examiners for Biomedical Equipment Technicians, operating under the direction of the USCC and ICC offer the CBET, CRES and CLES credentials
AAN
AANA
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists; offers the CRNA credential
AAO
AAOHN
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.
AAP
American Academy of Pediatrics
AAPA
American Academy of Physician Assistants; National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), offers the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential
AAPM&R
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; the national medical society representing more than 8,000 physicians who are specialists in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)
AARC
American Association for Respiratory Care
AATS
American Association for Thoracic Surgery
ABA
American Board of Anesthesiology
ABAI
American Board of Allergy and Immunology
ABCP
American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion; offers the CCP credential
ABCRS
American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
ABD
- American Board of Dermatology
- All But Dissertation: Some people who have not completed the required dissertation for their PhD or other doctoral degree (which is also the most significant part of a PhD or other doctoral degree), and even some people who may no longer even have the intention of completing it, put this acronym on their resume as if it were equivalent to degree. It is not a degree, nor is it equivalent to a degree. It may be weeks to months to years before the individual will ever have the degree. Of course, in the case of those who have decided against proceeding, they will never have it. Many employers consider this to be misleading.
ABEM
American Board of Emergency Medicine
ABFM
American Board of Family Medicine
ABIM
American Board of Internal Medicine
ABMG
American Board of Medical Genetics
ABMS
America Board of Medical Specialties
ABNM
American Board of Nuclear Medicine
ABNS
American Board of Neurological Surgery
ABO
ABOG
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
ABOS
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
ABP
ABPM
American Board of Preventive Medicine
ABPMR
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
ABPN
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
ABPOPPM
American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine
ABPS
ABR
ABRET
American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists; national credentialing board for Electroencephalographic (EEG) Technologists, Evoked Potential (EP) Technologists, Long Term Monitoring (LTM) Technologists, and Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (NIOM) Technologists; credentials are REEGT, REPT, CLTM, and CNIM
ABS
ABTS
American Board of Thoracic Surgery
ABU
ACC
American College of Cardiology
ACCP
ACEP
American College of Emergency Physicians
ACG
American College of Gastroenterology
ACHE
American College of Healthcare Executives; offers the ACHE Fellow credential, FACHE
ACNM
American College of Nurse-Midwives; association represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs), who are credentialed through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
ACNP-BC
Certification for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners; credential offered through ANCC
ACNS-BC
Certification for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health; credential offered through ANCC
ACOG
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
ACP
American College of Physicians; the organization is not for physicians in general, it is a national organization for internists
ACR
American College of Radiology; ACR’s 34,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians
ACS
American College of Surgeons; ACS has approximately 77,000 members, including more than 4,000 Fellows in other countries, making it the largest organization of surgeons in the world
ADA
- American Dental Association
- American Dietetic Association; the ADA’s Commission on Dietetic Registration offers the RD and DTR credentials
ADAA
American Dental Assistants Association
ADHA
American Dental Hygienists’ Association
ADHP
Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner; the ADHA is working to establish this mid-level oral health care provider role, which they say “will serve in a capacity similar to that of the nurse practitioner in medicine”; ADHPs will be educated at the Master’s level; the first ADHP Master’s program was slated to begin at Minnesota’s Metropolitan State University in fall 2009.
AHA
AHI
Certified Allied Health Instructor; credential offered by AMT
AHIMA
American Health Information Management Association; offers several types of certification through CCHIIM (Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management), i.e., RHIA, RHIT, CCA, CCS, CCS-P, CHDA, CHPS, CDI
AHP
Allied Health Professional; a general acronym for anyone in allied health (e.g., respiratory therapy, medical imaging, physical therapy, etc.)
AHPA
American Health Planning Association
AHRA
Association for Medical Imaging Management; the acronym differs from the actual organization, as it reflects the group’s original name, American Hospital Radiology Administrators, Inc.; offers the CRA credential
AHRQ
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
AMA
AMCB
American Midwifery Certification Board
AMI
Association of Medical Illustrators
AMSECT
American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology
AMT
American Medical Technologists; certifies medical technologists, medical lab technicians, medical lab assistants, medical assistants, phlebotomists, medical administrative specialists, dental assistants, allied health instructors, and clinical lab consultants
ANA
ANCC
American Nurses Credentialing Center; certifies nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and a wide range of nursing specialties
ANNA
American Nephrology Nurses’ Association
ANP-BC
Certification for Adult Nurse Practitioners; credential offered through ANCC
AOA
AOCN
Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse; credential offered through ONCC
AOCNP
Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner; credential offered through ONCC
AOCNS
Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist; credential offered through ONCC
AORN
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
AOTA
American Occupational Therapy Association; OT/OTA credentials offered through the NBCOT
AONE
American Organization of Nurse Executives; offers the CENP credential and the CNML credential (in partnership with AACN)
APA
APHA
American Public Health Association
APHN-BC
Advanced Public Health Nurse - Board Certified; nurses can request the alternate credential PHCNS-BC (Public/Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist - Board Certified); credential(s) offered through ANCC
APIC
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.; the credentialing arm is the Certification Board for Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC)
APMA
American Podiatric Medical Association
APTA
American Physical Therapy Association
ARDMS
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Inc.; offers the RDMS, RDCS, RVT, and RPVI credentials
ARN
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses; credentialing body is the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB)
ARRT
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; offers primary certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or Sonography; as well as post-primary certification in Mammography, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Quality Management (QM), Bone Densitometry, Cardiac-Interventional (CI) Radiography, Vascular Interventional (VI) Radiography, Sonography, Vascular Sonography, or Breast Sonography; and the physician-extender credential RRA
ART
Advanced Registered Technologist; a type of advanced medical laboratory technologist certification with the CSMLS; this program is being phased out as of January 1, 2011, so candidates must complete the ART program requirements by December 31, 2014
AS
Associate in Science degree
ASA
American Society of Anesthesiologists
ASAHP
Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions
ASCLS
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
ASHA
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ; offers certification for audiologists (CCC-A) and speech-language pathologists (CCC-SLP)
ASHHRA
American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration
ASCP
American Society for Clinical Pathology; the ASCP Board of Certification offers a range of medical laboratory certifications at the technician (PBT, HT, MLT, DPT), technologist (BB, C, CG, CT, H, HTL, MLS, M, MB), Specialist level (SBB, SC, SCT, SH, SLS, SM, PA), and Diplomate (DLM) levels. International certifications are also offered. Credential is typically show as, e.g. BB(ASCP), MT(ASCP)
ASCT
American Society for Cytotechnology
ASE
American Society of Echocardiography
ASIA
American Spinal Injury Association
ASM
American Society for Microbiology
ASPAN
American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses; the credentialing body is ABPANC, the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc., offering CPAN and CAPA credentials
ASRT
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
AST
Association of Surgical Technologists; certification body is the NBSTSA National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, offering the CST and CSFA credential
AWHONN
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
B
BA
Bachelor of Arts; a four-year undergraduate degree; also sometimes seen as AB; the degree’s Latin root name is atrium baccalaureus
BB
Blood Bank; short for a place and/or lab specialty, not a credential
BB(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in blood banking; credential offered through the ASCP
BC-ADM
Advanced Diabetes Management; credential offered through ANCC
BDentSci
Bachelor of Dental Science; also BDentSc
BDS
Bachelor of Dental Surgery
BHS
Bachelor of Health Science
BM
Bachelor of Medicine; the degree’s Latin root name is Medicinae Baccalaureus (also see MD, MBBS, BMBS, BM, MB BCh, or MBChB)
BM BCh
Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery; the degree’s Latin root name is Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae (also see MD, MBBS, BMBS, BM, MB BCh, or MBChB)
BMBS
Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery; the degree’s Latin root name is Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae (also see MD, MBBS, BM BCh, BM, MB BCh, or MBChB)
BN
Bachelor of Nursing
BPharm
Bachelor of Pharmacy; a four-year degree
BSc
Bachelor of Science; the degree’s Latin root name is Scientiæ Baccalaureus
BScN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
BScPharm
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy; a four-year degree
C
CAAHEP
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
CAAMA
Credentialed Member of the American Academy of Medical Administrators; credential offered through AAMA
CADE
Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
CAP
College of American Pathologists
CAPA
Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse; credential offered through ASPAN
CARDUP
Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals
C(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in chemistry; credential offered through the ASCP
CASSPT
Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technician; credential offered through the CBSPD
CASW
Canadian Association of Social Workers
CATN/CATN-II
Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing /Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing – II; program offered through the ENA
CBCN
Certified Breast Care Nurse; credential offered through ONCC
CBET
Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician; credential offered by the Board of Examiners for Biomedical Equipment Technicians, operating under the direction of the USCC and ICC offer the CBET, CRES and CLES credentials
CBIC
Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc; credentialing body for APIC
CBSPD
Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution
CCA
Certified Coding Associate; credential offered through AHIMA
CCDS
Certified Cardiac Device Specialist; offered in two categories, 1) physicians who pass the Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Physician, and 2) allied professionals who pass the Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Allied Professional; credential offered through the IBHRE
CCHN(C)
Certification in Community Health Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CCCN (Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses)
CCC-A
Certificate of Clinical Competence-Audiology; credential offered through ASHA
CCCP
Canadian College of Clinical Pharmacy
CCC-SLP
Certificate of Clinical Competence-Speech-Language Pathology; credential offered through ASHA
CCFP
The (Canadian) professional designation in the specialty of family medicine; credential offered by the College of Family Physicians Canada
CCFP(EM)
The credential offered to those who pass the (Canadian) Examination of Special Competence in Emergency Medicine; credential offered by the College of Family Physicians Canada
CCI
Competency and Credentialing Institute; offers the CNOR and CRNFA credentials, and certificates in Surgical Services Management and Surgical Services Educator
CCN(C)
Certification in Cardiovascular Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CHNAC (Community Health Nurses Association of Canada)
CCNS
Certification for adult, neonatal, and paediatric acute/critical are clinical nurse specialists; credential offered through AACN
CCP
Certified Clinical Perfusionist; credential offered through the ABCP
CCRN
Critical Care Registered Nurse; this credential is offered through AACN for nurses caring for acutely/critically ill adult, paediatric or neonatal patients
CCRN-E
These nurses care “for acutely and/or critically ill adult patients in a tele-ICU (via telemonitoring from a remote location)”; credential offered through AACN
CCS
Certified Coding Specialist; credential offered through AHIMA
CCS-P
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-Based; credential offered through AHIMA
CDHA
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
CDA
- Canadian Dental Association
- Certified Dental Assistant
CDI
Clinical Documentation Improvement; this credential is not yet available; will be offered through AHIMA
CDR
Commission on Dietetic Registration is the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association, offering the RD and DTR credentials
CENP
Certified in Executive Nursing Practice; credential offered by AONE
CEPS
Certified Electrophysiology Specialist; offered in two categories, 1) physicians who pass the Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Physician, and 2) allied professionals who pass the Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Allied Professional; credential offered through the IBHRE
CET(N)
Certified in enterostomal therapy nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CAET (Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy)
CFER
Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocesser; credential offered through the CBSPD
CG(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in cytogenetics; credential offered through the ASCP
CGFNS
Known as CGFNS International; Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools; this American organization is an authority on credentials evaluation of the education, registration and licensure of nurses and other healthcare professionals
CGN(C)
Certification in gastroenterology nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CSGNA (Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates)
CHDA
Certified Health Data Analyst; credential offered through AHIMA
CHIM
Certified in Health Information Management; credential offered through CHIMA; this is the credential as of 2007, former credentials were HRT (which was for one credentialed at the associate level) and HRA or HRP (which were for those credentialed at the certificant level)
CHIMA
Canadian Health Information Management Association
CHPCN(C)
Certification in hospice and palliative care nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CHPCA (Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association)
CHPS
Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security; credential offered through AHIMA
CIC
Certification in Infection Control; credential offered through CBIC
CLES
Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist; credential offered by the Board of Examiners for Biomedical Equipment Technicians, operating under the direction of the USCC and ICC offer the CBET, CRES and CLES credentials
CLTM
Certified in Long Term Monitoring; credential offered through ABRET
CM
Certified Midwife; credential offered through the ACNM’s American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
CMA
- Canadian Medical Association
- Certified Medical Assistant; credential offered by the Certifying Board of the AAMA
CMAS
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant; credential offered by the AMT
CMC
Subspecialty certification in cardiac medicine; credential offered through AACN
CMLA
Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant; credential offered by the AMT (in the USA)
CMSN(C)
Certification in medical/surgical nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CAMSN (Canadian Association of Medical and Surgical Nurses)
CNA
- Canadian Nurses Association; also offers credentials in several nursing specialties (cardiovascular, community health, critical care, critical care pediatric, emergency, enterostomal therapy, gastroenterology, gerontology, hospice/palliative, medical/surgical, nephrology, neuroscience, occupational health, oncology, orthopaedic, perinatal, perioperative, psychiatric/mental health, rehabilitation) through partner associations
- Certified Nursing Assistant
CNAA-BC
Former credential now known as NEA-BC
CNEPH(C)
Certification in nephrology nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CANNT (Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technologists)
CNCC(C)
Certification in Critical Care Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CACCN (Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses)
CNCCP(C)
Certification in Critical Care Pediatric Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CACCN (Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses)
CNIM
Certified in Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring; credential offered through ABRET
CNM
Certified Nurse Midwife; credential offered through the ACNM’s American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
CNML
Certification for Nurse Managers and Leaders; credential offered through AACN and AONE
CNN(C)
Certification in neuroscience nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CANN (Canadian Association of Neuroscience Nurses)
CNOR
Certification for perioperative nurses; credential offered by CCI
CNS-BC
Clinical Nurse Specialist Core Exam; credential offered through ANCC
CODA
Commission on Dental Accreditation
COHN(C)
Certification in Occupational Health Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the COHNA (Canadian Occupational Health Nurses Association)
CON(C)
Certification in Oncology Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CANO (Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology)
COTA
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant; credential offered through NBCOT
CPAN
Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse; credential offered through ASPAN
CPFT
Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist; credential offered through the NBRC
CPhA
Canadian Pharmacists Association
CPHA
Canadian Public Health Association
CPHON
Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse, credential offered through ONCC
CPHQ
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality; credential offered through NAHQ
CPME
Council on Podiatric Medical Education
CPMHN(C)
Certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CFMHN (Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses)
CPN(C)
Certification in Perioperative Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the ORNAC (Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada)
CPON
Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse; credential offered through ONCC
CRA
Certified Radiology Administrator; credential offered through AHRA
CRCST
Certified Registered Central Service Technician; credential offered through IAHCSMM
CRES
Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist; credential offered by the Board of Examiners for Biomedical Equipment Technicians, operating under the direction of the USCC and ICC offer the CBET, CRES and CLES credentials
CRN(C)
Certification in Rehabilitation Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CARN (Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Nurses)
CRNFA
Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant; credential offered by CCI
CRNA
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist; credential offered by the AANA
CRNE
Canadian Registered Nurse Examination; the national registration exam, developed/maintained by the CNA
CRRN
Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse; credential offered by the RNCB
CRT
Certified Respiratory Therapist; credential offered through the NBRC
CRT-NPS
Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist; credential offered through the NBRC
CRT-SDS
Sleep Disorders Testing and Therapeutic Intervention Respiratory Care Specialist; credential offered through the NBRC
CSC
Subspecialty certification in cardiac surgery; credential offered through AACN
CSFA
Certified Surgical First Assistant; credential offered through the NBSTSA
CSDMS
Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
CSIS
Certified Surgical Instrumentation Specialist; credential offered through the CBSPD
CSMLS
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science; Canada’s national certifying body for medical laboratory technologists and medical laboratory assistants
CSPDM
Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Manager; credential offered through the CBSPD
CSPDS
Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Supervisor; credential offered through the CBSPD
CSPDT
Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician; credential offered through the CBSPD
CSRT
Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists
CST
Certified Surgical Technologist; credential offered through the NBSTSA
CT(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in cytotechnology; credential offered through the ASCP
D
DANB
Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., which is the national certification board for dental assistants in the USA
DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery
DLM(ASCP)
Diplomate in Laboratory Management; credential offered through the ASCP
DNS
Doctor of Nursing Science (also DSN, DNSc, or DScN)
DNSc
Doctor of Nursing Science (also DNS, DSN, or DScN)
DO
Doctor of Osteopathy; as MedLinePlus explains: “Like allopathic physicians (or M.D.s), osteopathic physicians complete 4 years of medical school and can choose to practice in any specialty of medicine. However, osteopathic physicians receive an additional 300 - 500 hours in the study of hands-on manual medicine and the body's musculoskeletal system.”
DPT(ASC)
Donor Phlebotomy Technician; credential offered through the ASCP
DScN
Doctor of Nursing Science (also DSN, DNS, or DNS)
DSN
Doctor of Nursing Science (also DNS, DNSc, or DScN)
DTR
Dietetic Technician, Registered; credential offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
E
EEG
Electroencephalographic; usually seen as EEG Technologist or EEG Tech
EMR (sometimes seen as NEMR)
First Responder credential offered through the NREMT
EMT
Emergency Medical Technician; used as both a job title and a credential (e.g., in NEMT-B, NEMT-I, offered through the NREMT)
EMT-P
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic; used as both a job title and a credential (e.g., in NEMT-P, offered through the NREMT)
ENA
Emergency Nurses Association; offers the CATN, ENPC, and TNCC courses
ENC(C)
Certification in Emergency Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and NENA (National Emergency Nurses’ Affiliation)
ENPC
Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course; program offered through the ENA
F
FAAFP
Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians
FAAN
Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
FACC
Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (ACC)
FACG
Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
FACHE
Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; credential offered by ACHE
FACP
Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP)
FACS
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS)
FAPA
Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA)
FCCP
Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
FACOG
Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
FNP-BC
Certification for Family Nurse Practitioners; credential offered through ANCC
FRCPC
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada
FRCSC
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada
FSBPT
G
GCNS-BC
Certification for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology; credential offered through ANCC
GNC(C)
Certification in gerontology nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CGNA (Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association)
GNP-BC
Certification for Gerontological Nurse Practitioners; credential offered through ANCC
H
HHCNS-BC
Certification for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Home Health Nursing; credential offered through ANCC
H(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in hematology; credential offered through the ASCP
HT(ASCP)
Histotechnician; credential offered through the ASCP
HTL(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in histotechnology; credential offered through the ASCP
I
IAHCSMM
International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management; offers the credential CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician)
IBHRE
International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners; formerly NASPExAM; offers CCDS and CEPS credentials
ICC
International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology; also see USCC
IP
Infection preventionist; name for one working in infection control
J
JCAHO
Former acronym for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; now known as The Joint Commission; the US accreditation body for healthcare organizations (e.g., hospitals, ambulatory care, home health); currently, and while known as JCAHO, the acronym is pronounced as "Jay-Co"
JCI
Joint Commission International; the international arm of The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO
JCRSB
Joint Committee on the Recognition of Specialty Boards; a committee comprised of representatives of the podiatric medicine profession, specialty boards, licensing bodies, the health care community, and the public.
L
LMCC
Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada
LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse; a nurse who cares for patients under the direction of an RN or physician
LVN
Licensed Vocational Nurse; the title used in some states, e.g., Texas; same as LPN
M
MA
Master of Arts; a graduate degree usually earned before a doctoral/PhD degree; the degree’s Latin root name is Magister Artium
M(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in microbiology; credential offered through the ASCP
MB(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in molecular biology; credential offered through the ASCP
MBBS
Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery; the degree’s Latin root name is Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae (also see MD, BMBS, BM BCh, BM, MB BCh, or MBChB)
MBChB
Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery; the degree’s Latin root name is Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae (also see MD, MBBS, BM BCh, BM, or MB BCh)
MD
Doctor of Medicine; the degree’s Latin root name is medicinae doctor; the medical degree is also seen in some countries as MBBS, BMBS, BM BCh, BM, MB BCh, or MBChB
MLA
MLS(ASCP)
Technologist-level certification in medical laboratory science; credential offered through the ASCP
MLT
- Medical Laboratory Technician; can represent a short form for the job title, or a credential of the same type, with information indicating which credentialing body issued the credential, e.g., MLT(ASCP), MLT(AMT)
- Medical Laboratory Technologist (in Canada); the credential issued by the CSMLS
MPH
Master of Public Health
MPharm
Master of Pharmacy
MT
Medical Technologist; sometimes just used as a title, but also offered as a credential through ASCP and AMT; usually the person’s credential would be shown as MT(ASCP)
N
NAHQ
National Association for Healthcare Quality; offers the CPHQ credential
NASW
National Association of Social Workers
NBCOT
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
NBRC
National Board for Respiratory Care; offers exams leading to credentials in respiratory therapy, sleep studies, and pulmonary function testing
NCA
National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel; a former licensing body for laboratory professionals; As explained on the ASCP website, “The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (BOR) and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) on July 21, 2009, signed an agreement forming a single certification agency for medical laboratory professionals. The agency will be called the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC). The agreement is effective on Friday, October 23, 2009. At that time, the NCA will be dissolved as a corporation.”
NCCAA
National Commission for the Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants
NCCPA
National Commission on Certification of Physician; offers the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential
NCLEX
The NCLEX is the US nurse licensing exam(s), developed by the NCSBN; strictly speaking, the title represents two exams, the NCLEX-RN, short for “National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses,” and NCLEX-PN, short for “National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.”
NCSBN
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
NDAEB
(Canada’s) National Dental Assisting Examining Board
NDHCB
(Canada’s) National Dental Hygiene Certification Board
NEA-BC
Certification for Nurse Executive, Advanced (formerly Nursing Administration, Advanced); credential offered through ANCC
NE-BC
Certification for Nurse Executive (formerly Nursing Administration); credential offered through ANCC
NNBA
National Nurses in Business Association, Inc.
NP
Nurse Practitioner; short for a title, not a credential
NPTE
National Physical Therapy Examination; offered by the FSBPT
NREMT
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians; offers EMR, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate 85, EMT-Intermediate-99, and EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P) credentials, usually noted with an “N” before the title, e.g., NREMT-P
NREMT-P
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic; credential offered by the NREMT
O
OCN
Oncology Certified Nurse; credential offered through ONCC
OD
Doctor of Optometry
ONC(C)
Certification in Orthopaedic Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CONA (Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association)
ONCC
Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, which offers the OCN, CPON, AOCN, AOCNP, AOCNS, CBCN, and CPHO credentials
ONS
Oncology Nursing Society; the credentialing body is the ONCC (Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation)
OT
Occupational therapist; short for a title, not a credential
OTA
Occupational therapy assistant; short for a title, not a credential
OTR
Occupational Therapist Registered; credential offered through NBCOT
P
PA(ASCP)
Specialist-level certification as a pathologist’s assistant; credential offered through the ASCP
PA-C
Physician Assistant-Certified; credential offered through the NCCP
PBT(ASCP)
Phlebotomy Technician; credential offered through the ASCP
PCCN
Certification for Progressive Care Nurses; credential offered through AACN
PCNS-BC
Certification for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pediatrics; credential offered through ANCC
PCA
Patient Care Aide; a basic paraprofessional care provider, assisting with ADL, basic bedside care, etc., also see UAP, PCT, PSW
PCT
Patient Care Technician; a basic paraprofessional care provider, assisting with ADL, basic bedside care, etc., also see UAP, PCA, PSW
PCP
Primary Care Physician; short for a title, not a credential
PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy
PHCNS-BC
Certification for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Public/Community Health; credential offered through ANCC
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy; a graduate degree, and usually the highest academic degree earned in most fields; the degree’s Latin root name is philosophiae doctor or doctor philosophiae
PMHCNS-BC
Certification for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health and/or Certification for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Child/Adolescent Psychiatric & Mental Health; credential offered through AACN
PMHNP-BC
Certification for Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; credential offered through ANCC
PNC(C)
Certification in Perinatal Nursing; credential offered through the CNA and the CAPWHN (Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses)
PNP-BC
Certification for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; credential offered through ANCC
PSW
Personal Support Worker; a Canadian term for a basic paraprofessional care provider, assisting with ADL, basic bedside care, etc., also seen as UAP, PCA, PCT
PT
Physical therapist or physiotherapist; short for a title, not a credential
PTA
Physical therapy assistant; short for a title, not a credential
R
RD
Registered Dietitian; credential offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (USA); in Canada, the RD credential is also used, and is earned after passing the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE)
RDA
Registered Dental Assistant; credential offered by the AMT
RDCS
Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer; credential offered through ARDMS
RDMS
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer; credential offered through ARDMS
REEGT
Registered EEG Technologist; credential offered through ABRET
REPT
Registered Evoked Potential Technologist; credential offered through ABRET
RHIA
Registered Health Information Administrator; credential offered through AHIMA
RHIT
Registered Health Information Technician; credential offered through AHIMA
RMA
Registered Medical Assistant; credential offered by the AMT
RN
Registered Nurse; a nurse who has graduated from an initial diploma (now rare), Associate’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree program, and passed a national licensing exam, e.g., the NCLEX in the USA or the CRNE in Canada
RN-BC
Certification given for a range of specialties: Ambulatory Care Nursing, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nursing (exam now retired), Cardiac Vascular Nursing, Case Management Nursing, College Health Nursing (exam now retired), Community Health Nursing (exam now retired), General Nursing Practice (exam now retired), Gerontological Nursing, High-Risk Perinatal Nursing (exam now retired), Home Health Nursing (exam now retired), Informatics Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing Professional Development, Pain Management, Pediatric Nursing, Perinatal Nursing (exam now retired), Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, School Nurse (exam now retired); credential offered through ANCC
RNCB
Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board
RPh
Registered Pharmacist
RPN
Registered Practical Nurse; the title for practical nurses in the province of Ontario
RPFT
Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist; credential offered through the NBRC
RPT
Registered Phlebotomist; credential offered by the AMT
RPVI
Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation; credential offered through ARDMS
RRA
Registered Radiologist Assistant; credential offered through the ARRT
RRT
Registered Respiratory Therapist; credential offered through the NBRC, CSRT, etc.
RRT-NPS
Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist; credential offered through the NBRC
RRT-SDS
Sleep Disorders Testing and Therapeutic Intervention Respiratory Care Specialist; credential offered through the NBRC
RT(M)(ARRT)
Registered Technologist in medical resonance imaging; credential offered through the ARRT
RT(N)(ARRT)
Registered Technologist in nuclear medicine; credential offered through the ARRT
RT(R)(ARRT)
Registered Technologist in radiography; credential offered through the ARRT
RT(S)(ARRT)
Registered Technologist in sonography; credential offered through the ARRT
RT(T)(ARRT)
Registered Technologist in radiation therapy; credential offered through the ARRT
RVT
Registered Vascular Technologist; credential offered through ARDMS
S
SBB(ASCP)
Specialist-level certification in blood banking; credential offered through the ASCP
SC(ASCP)
Specialist-level certification in chemistry; credential offered through the ASCP
SCT(ASCP)
Specialist-level certification in cytotechnology; credential offered through the ASCP
SH(ASCP)
Specialist-level certification in laboratory safety; credential offered through the ASCP
SM(ASCP)
Specialist-level certification in microbiology; credential offered through the ASCP
SNP-BC
Certification for School Nurse Practitioners; credential offered through ANCC
SW
Social worker; short for a title, not a credential
T
TJC
The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO); the US accreditation body for healthcare organizations (e.g., hospitals, ambulatory care, home health)
TNCC
Trauma Nursing Core Course; program offered through the ENA
U
UAP
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel; basic paraprofessional care provider, assisting with ADL, basic bedside care, etc.; also see PCA, PCT, PSW
USCC
US Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology; USCC, along with the ICC, under the direction of the AAMI, offer the credentials CBET, CRES, and CLES
