Many of the names on hospital nametags end with a cluster of capital letters. “MD” and “RN” are easy to decipher, but an academic medical center depends on more than medical doctors and registered nurses. A variety of additional professionals you may encounter include:

CCP – clinical cardiac perfusionist

CDE – certified diabetes educator

CLS -- clinical laboratory scientist

CNA -- certified nurse anesthetist

CNM – certified nurse-midwife

CNS -- clinical nurse specialist

CT -- cytotechnologist

CRNA -- certified registered nurse anesthetist

CWS -- certified wound specialist

DDS – doctor of dental surgery

DO -- doctor of osteopathic medicine

DPT – a doctorate in physical therapy

DrPH – a doctorate in public health

FNP – family nurse practitioner

HA -- hospital attendant

HCT -- hospital care technician

HPSC -- hospital patient service clerk

HTL -- histotechnician

JD –doctorate in law

LCSW – licensed clinical social worker

LPN – licensed practical nurse

MBE -- masters in bioethics

MBBS, MBBA, or MBChB -- doctor of medicine (from UK, India, other Commonwealth countries)

MD -- doctor of medicine (US and Canada)

MLT -- medical laboratory technician

MPH – masters of public health

MSN – masters of science in nursing

MSEd – masters of education

MSW – masters of social work

MT -- medical technologist

NP – nurse practitioner

NNP -- neonatal nurse practitioner

NPP -- psychiatic nurse practitioner

OT -- occupational therapist

PA – physician assistant

PharmD – doctor of pharmacy

PhD – doctoral degree

PNP – pediatric nurse practitioner

PT – physical therapist

RD – registered dietitian

RDCS- registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer

RDMS – registered diagnostic medical sonographer

RN -- registered nurse

RRT -- registered radiologic technologist

RT -- respiratory therapist

RVT – registered vascular technologist

Learn more about your doctor.

Learn why some physical therapists are called 'doctor.'