Medicare will pay for the services provided by a P.A. only if they are performed in a hospital or doctor's office under the supervision of a physician. They may do surgery, make devices to correct or prevent foot problems, provide toenail care, and prescribe certain drugs. A podiatrist completes 4 years of professional school and is licensed. Medicare will cover the cost of their services except routine foot care. Most work in hospitals, public health agencies, or doctors' offices, but some are in private practice.
Nutritionist is a broad term.
Currently, practitioners who wish to call themselves nutritionists need not fulfill a licensing or certification requirement. Before seeking the advice of a health practitioner in nutrition, it is a good idea to ask what kind of training and practical experience the person has received. Social workers in health care settings go after community services for patients, provide counseling when necessary, and help patients and their families handle problems related to physical and mental illness and disability. They frequently coordinate the multiple aspects of care related to illness, including discharge planning from hospitals. A social worker's education ranges from a bachelor's degree to a doctorate.