clinician

A clinician is a health care professional typically employed at a skilled nursing facility or clinic. Clinicians work directly with patients rather than in a laboratory, community health setting or in research. A clinician may diagnose, treat and care for patients as a psychologist, clinical pharmacist, clinical scientist, nurse, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, physiotherapist, dentist, optometrist, physician assistant, clinical officer, physician, paramedic, or chaplain. Clinicians undergo and take comprehensive training and exams to be licensed and some complete graduate degrees in their field of expertise.