'health promotion'...let me pick your brains?

[MsBlack]

Hi all--

I am thinking here about my defense against the State's orders that I stop practicing, and one of the things I am being held up to is Nursing Practice. So, just to get to the point, tell me what professions that are NOT licensed in your state, might provide services toward health maintenance and promotion and recovery; assistance or guidance regarding a health condition, patient advocacy, etc. ANY one or all or any group of the foregoing...

for instance: doulas; childbirth educators; personal trainers and instructors (like yoga or aerobics instructors); health educators/wellness consultants; vitamin salespeople.

Can you think of any other? Any at all?

See, I'm thinking that when you're talking about doctoring, nursing, midwifing, or *any other* kind of health professional (NOT necessarily 'medical' professional, AND, whether 'hands on' or more of a 'teacher/guide'), that there are behaviors which they might share in common. But you wouldn't say that a health educator was 'practicing med or nursing' for providing guidance and assistance in the way that they do?, right...does this make sense? I'm thinking that while there are certainly some common factors (and really how broad and general is 'health maintenance and promotion'?) among service providers of different types, each has an entire "Body of Practices" which AS A WHOLE, *ALTOGETHER*, actually defines their service or practice, actually distinguishes it from other services.

So...tell me who else you can think of who fits this broad general category and does NOT need licensing in your state. And if you have thoughts about the rest of what I said, I'd love to hear it.

thanks!
Maggie

[Black Orchid]

lactation consultants definately do this. they weigh babies and eval whether they are getting enough, help women deal with health issues like inverted nipples, plugged ducts and thrush... i could go on and on!

also, what about healers who do aromatherapy, reiki (spelling?) and other like-things.

are all dieticians licences? and what about the people who work at places like curves, weight watchers and jenny craig. i am pretty sure most of them are just trained by the company to provide the guidance for the weight loss programs.

hope that gives you some ideas!

[Lynnette]

In Colorado, registered dietitians are not regulated by the state. They are working on it though.

[MsBlack]

Thank you, Ladies! It helps.

[JunipersMom]

In Michigan - acupuncturists are not liscensed.

[Defenestrator]

Neither are naturopathic physicians or massage therapists.

[Om Girl]

In MN these Health workers aren't licensed:
Naturopathic physicians
Yoga instructors
aerobics/fitness instructors
childbirth educators
massage therapists
myofascial release therapists
and I'm sure there's more, but I can't think off the top of my head.
oh, chinese medicine experts, I think...

[Black Orchid]

oh and I thought of another... "therapists" that councel families, drug addicted people, marriages, etc. many are not regulated or licenced.

[1stimestar]

WIC Paraprofessionals and Peer Counselors

Hospice Workers

Red Cross Volunteers (we have some who work in the hospital.)

Monitrices

[MsBlack]

You Womyn ROCK!

thanks so much!

[mwherbs]

the people who do home visits for "at risk" parents
the people who do vitals for insurance companies- they go in home and take bp and medical histories as well as weight , height....
urine screening
homeopath, herbalist
I should say this is in AZ but different than MN Naturopathic physicians are licensed and are tested the same as MDs

surge tecs either get on the job training or go to school-- now when I am saying surge tec- they keep track of the instruments, and hand them out as well as be sure they are back they say if something is missing - and here they have hands on in surgery and suturing no license though--

[Nicole B]

You know you're in my thoughts and prayers dear!:

I work at a pregnancy crisis center and we counsel pg women, give preg tests, early ultrasounds, and we are shortly going to be able to offer STD testing and all this and none of us are licensed we are just trained on the job (except out u/s tech IS a nurse)

The only thing we are ordered to do is to make sure the clients that come in realize that we are not a "medical facility" and that if they have any health concerns they are to see their dr for it.

The way I see it you are not a "medical care provider" and you clearly state that in your contract. I don't see where the state has a case

Good luck to you dear!

[MsBlack]

more rocking good tips....

thanks, I hoped to have a loooonnnngggg list to show....but it's going to be even longer than I thought!

keep em coming, womyn, if anyone thinks of more!