Mental Health Care Professions in Ohio: The professionals who work with clients and families in both the hospital and community offer a wide array of services that may include offer emotional, mental, physical and spiritual support. It is often confusing, however, trying to sort out who these varied professionals are and what roles they play in the mental health system. The table below offers a brief description of many of the professions: their job title, education and licensing requirements, and scope of practice.

Nursing Social Work Physician Psychiatrist Clinical Psychologist Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor Counselors Health Administration

Case Managers Pharmacists Occupational Therapists Physical Therapists Masters and Doctor of Divinity Mental Health Technicians Dietitians Teachers/Educators

Profession/Job Title	Education & Licensing	Scope of Practice
Nursing (RN)	Associate degree: two year college Baccalaureate degree: four year college state licensing issued by individual states Masters or Ph.D. levels	Provide holistic client­centered care with activities of daily living and emotional and medical needs Health promotion and illness prevention Provide to individuals, families, and groups nursing care requiring specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill derived from the principles of biological, physical, behavioral, social, & nursing science
Nurse Practitioner	RN with additional education in specialized area, two year masters level with supervised clinical experience Certificate of Authority from Ohio Board of Nursing If want to include RNC, must past test in specialty area	Preponderance of self-initiated treatment regimens, as opposed to dependent functions Work with individuals, families, groups & communities to assess health needs; develop diagnosis; plan, implement & manage care; and evaluate outcomes Tends to practice independently Collaborate with physicians
Clinical Nurse Specialist	RN with additional education in specialized area, two year masters level with supervised clinical experience Certificate of Authority from Ohio Board of Nursing If want to include RNC, must past test in specialty area	Preponderance of self-initiated treatment regimens, as opposed to dependent functions Work with individuals, families, groups & communities to assess health needs; develop diagnosis; plan, implement & manage care; and evaluate outcomes Associated more with a population or disease: specialist with a narrowly defined group of people Collaborate with physicians Usually part of an acute care facility
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)	High school diploma & one year training State licensing Additional course in medication if will administer medication	Provides direct, basic patient care under physician, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist or RN's supervision Observe, deliver patient teaching, & care in a diversity of health care setting
Profession/Job Title	Education & Licensing	Scope of Practice
Social Work	Baccalaureate in some settings Master's level, MSW licensing by state for MSW and doctoral level Certification requires 2 years supervised clinical experience postgraduate	Individual, family or group counseling Social services provision & referral Understands significant social/emotional factors affecting illness & health Case management Doctoral and Masters level provide supervision Administration, bachelors and up
Medicine, M.D. or D.O.   Psychiatrist	Fours of college premedical courses Four years medical school One-to-five years of generalists or specialists training State licensing Additional four years specialty training Board Certification	Diagnose and treat illnesses of the body and mind Prevent illness Instruct patient & family about treatments, plans & prognosis Diagnosis & treatment of psychiatric illness Evaluate for & prescribe drug treatment Psychotherapy Treatment of concomitant illnesses
Clinical Psychologist	Bachelor's degree in psychology-not licensed in Ohio Master's degree-must be registered under a licensed psychologist. Can not be licensed in Ohio. Some state do allow licensing after a specified number of years of supervision. Ph.D.   State licensing for doctoral level	Serve as case manager Provide direct care to children & adults in an inpatient setting Serve in personnel & administrative roles Counseling Provide intellectual & personality diagnosis Conduct therapy with children and adults Administer psychological tests Counseling Administer psychological tests Provide intellectual and personality diagnosis Conduct therapy with children and adults Treat psychotic and organic disorders Conduct research   Provide all Ph.D. services but with no requirement for supervision
Profession/Job Title	Education & Licensing	Scope of Practice
Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor	Levels Bachelors-must be supervised Masters-must be supervised Can bill and work independently
Counselors	·Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) 1. Masters or Doctorate in counseling 2. minimum 90 qtr. or 60 semester hours of graduate work, including a minimum of 30 qtr. Or 20 semester hours of instruction in the following areas: clinical psychopathology evaluation of mental and emotional disorders diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders methods of prevention, intervention of mental and emotional disorders treatment of mental and emotional disorders 3. Pass Professional Counselor Licensing Exam 4. Must be of good moral character ·Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) 1-4 above master's degree-two years of clinical experience completed after master's doctorate-one year (1500 hours) of clinical experience completed after award of degree 5. Clinical Field Evaluation	Diagnose and treat mental and emotional conditions and/or Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders under board acceptable supervision Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders Administer/evaluate psychological tests Write clinical evaluations Supervise other mental health professionals Can practice independently
Profession/Job Title	Education & Licensing	Scope of Practice
Health Administration	No specific requirements unless nursing home administrator then need licensing Ph.D. or masters recommended if remain in field No standard for the profession	Enhance overall quality of life, dignity and well being of every individual needing health care services Create a more equitable, accessible, effective and efficient health care system Since every management decision affects the health and well-being of both individuals and communities, health care executives must carefully evaluate the possible outcomes of their decisions
Case Managers	Varies with agencies	Coordinate and implement treatment plan Liaison between multiple providers and patient Assist severely mentally ill to live independently in the community
Pharmacist	B.S. in pharmacy (five year program) masters & Pharm.D. licensing by state	Monitors patients drug therapy to optimize results Resource individual for drug information for both the health care provider and the patient Recommends appropriate dosages & therapies utilizing over-the-counter drug products & devices Specializes in the science, physiological & psychological effects of drugs; is aware of potential patient outcomes and takes an active role in patient care associated with drug use or misuse*
Occupational Therapists	Baccalaureate or master's degree State licensing	Help patients learn to carry out the occupations of daily living such as, eating, dressing, writing and cooking Evaluates the patient's needs and teaches the patient to understand and compensate for their disability Develops activities, adapts utensils, and other materials to help the patient achieve self-sufficiency Modifying behavior patterns Assisting in exploring, evaluating, and training prevocationally and in developing vocational interests
Profession/Job Title	Education & Licensing	Scope of Practice
Physical Therapists	Bachelor or master's level, which includes a professional portion that is two-to-three years State licensing	Evaluates musco­skeletal, neurological and/or cardiopulmonary function in patients with a disability due to disease, injury or developmental delay Uses therapeutic modalities and exercise techniques to improve strength and function Assessing joint range of motion, mobility, muscle strength, posture, gait, pulmonary function, activities of daily living, orthotic/prosthetic fit and function, sensory perception, reflexes and muscle tone and sensorimotor performance**
Masters and Doctor of Divinity	Masters or Ph.D. No licensing requirement	Pastoral counseling: individual, marriage, family
Mental Health Technicians/Human Service Workers	Associate degree (2 years)	Direct service workers under supervision Case management Varied skills, that are similar to those of social workers Individual and family counseling with supervision Referrals
Dietitians (R.D.)	Bachelors degree plus 6­12 month internship Registered Dietitians (R.D.) have completed American Dietitians Association examination and maintains continuing education requirements.	Provides nutritional assessment and counseling on diet in health care settings
Teachers/Educators	Bachelors or Master's degree in one of the following: Special education Early childhood education Elementary education Secondary education School Administration	Assessment of academic and behavioral performance Individual Education Planning (IEP) Adapting academic instruction for learning success Instructional activities and materials development to match pupil academic levels, interests, learning modality strengths, learning styles and provision for multiple intelligence learning Consultation & collaboration with professionals & family Social and behavioral/instructional management

**Guide to Interdisciplinary Practice in Rehabilitation Settings. (1992) American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, Skokie, IL.

Table created by Deborah Meyer, RN, MA, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.