| Caregiver |
Type (and degree) |
Required training |
Common Duties |
|
Physicians
|
Psychiatrist (MD) |
College, four years of medical school, four years of a psychiatry residency. |
Diagnose and treat patients with medication and/or therapy. Oversee patient care. |
| Primary Care Physician (MD) |
College, four years of medical school, and three-year residency. |
Refer to mental health services. Provide long-term medication maintenance. |
| Resident (MD) |
College, four years of medical school and in the process of completing a residency. |
Diagnose and treat patients with medication and therapy under the supervision of a psychiatrist. |
| Osteopath (DO) |
College, four years at an osteopathic medical school, four years of psychiatry residency. |
Similar to psychiatrists. |
| Psychologists |
Clinical Psychologist (Ph.D./PsyD) |
College, five to seven years of graduate study, a written dissertation on a specialized topic, specialized
clinical training. |
Diagnosis, psychological testing, and therapy. May refer people for medication but do not prescribe
medication. |
| Therapist/Psychologist (MA/MS) |
College, two year graduate study in psychology or counseling. |
Counseling or therapy, psychological testing May refer people for medication but do not prescribe
medication. |
|
Nurses
|
Nurse Practitioner (MSN) |
College, two years of graduate study which includes clinical training. |
Usually works in outpatient settings. Diagnosis, therapy, and medication management under the supervision
of a physician. |
| Registered Nurse (RN/BSN) |
RN: Two or three year hospital or community college program.
BSN: college degree in nursing.
Psychiatric nurse certification: specialty training in medication management and group therapy . |
Works in inpatient and outpatient settings. Plans, implements, and evaluates patient care; monitors
medications;and provides individual and/or group therapy. |
|
Social Workers
|
Social Worker (MSW) |
College, two years of graduate study in social work (for MSW). Some social workers have special
training in psychiatry (and are called psychiatric social workers). |
Provide therapy. Often work with families. Help patients find housing, work, etc through local and
government agencies. |
| Licensed Counselors(LCSW) |
Licensing requirements vary from state to state. Generally, they have more education or experience
than other social workers. |
Check with your insurance provider for information on social workers in your state and insurance
coverage. |
| Pharmacists |
BS
PharmD |
B.S in pharmacy.
Some have further college education for doctorate (number of years dependant on the program). Some have residency
experience |
Can work in a pharmacy filling prescriptions and administer medications in a clinical setting (e.g.
IV 's). Are legally required to dispense information about medications and possible reactions from combinations
of medication. |
