Physicians diagnose illnesses and prescribe and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease. They examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests, as well as counsel patients on diet, hygiene and preventive health care. Nurses, assistants and aides help physicians to care for their patients.

Physician assistants (PA's) provide diagnostic and therapeutic health care services under the supervision of a physician.

Registered nurses (R.N.'s) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families and communities.

Licensed practical nurses (L.P.N.'s), or licensed vocational nurses (L.V.N.'s) as they are called in Texas and California, care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled, under the direction of physicians and registered nurses.

Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and optometrists running smoothly.

Nursing aides and psychiatric aides help care for physically or mentally ill, injured, disabled or infirm individuals confined to hospitals, nursing or residential care facilities, and mental health settings.

Home health aides help elderly, disabled and ill persons live in their own homes instead of in a health facility. Most work with elderly or disabled clients who need more extensive care than family or friends can provide.

 

Most nurses, aides and assistants work in well-lighted, comfortable health care facilities, such as hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices. They may spend considerable time walking and standing. Because patients in hospitals and nursing homes require 24-hour care, healthcare professionals in these institutions may work double shifts, overtime, nights, weekends and holidays.

Patient care has its hazards, especially in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics, where nurses may care for individuals with infectious diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS. Nurses, aides and assistants must observe rigid guidelines to guard against these and other dangers such as radiation, chemicals used for sterilization of instruments, and anesthetics. In addition, they face back injury when moving patients, shocks from electrical equipment, and hazards posed by compressed gases.

 

Patient care can be very physically demanding, so good health and stamina are important. Meticulous personal hygiene and a fanatical regard for cleanliness and safety are a must for all healthcare workers.

Patient care professionals must be sympathetic, patient and caring. They need a calm temperament and emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies and other stresses, as well as excellent interpersonal skills and a cheerful disposition. They must be responsible, alert, observant and able to work as part of a team.

 

Faster than average growth will be driven by technological advances in patient care, which permit a greater number of medical problems to be treated, increasing emphasis on primary care, and the expansion of duties and skills for non-physician healthcare professionals. In addition, the number of older people, who are much more likely than younger people to need medical care, is projected to grow very rapidly. Employment in home health care is expected to grow the fastest.