Terms & Abbreviations

Health care terminology for you.

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See Our Informative List

There are a lot of abbreviations in the health care industry, and it can be confusing. We’ve come up with a list of common terms you may come across or need to decode.

51A Report of Alleged Abuse or Neglect
51B Investigation into Abuse or Neglect
ABA Adaptive Behavioral Assessment
ABH Association for Behavioral Health
ABI Acquired Brain Injury
ACLU American Civil Liberties Union
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
ADDP The Association of Developmental Disability Providers
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL Activities of Daily Living
AFC Adult Family Care
AHP Allied Health Professionals
AL Assisted Living
ALP Assisted Living Program
ALR Assisted Living Residence
ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – Lou Gehrig’s Disease
AMTA American Methadone Treatment Association
APS Adult Protective Services
ARC Attachment, Regulation, and Competency
ASA American Staffing Assoc
ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASL American Sign Language
BCI Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation
BH Behavioral Health
BHDDH Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Care, Development Disabilities and Hospitals
BRC Background Record Check
BVI Blind and Visually Impaired
CADC Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
CANS Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Certification
CANTS Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System
CARF Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities
CBAT Community Based Acute Treatment
CBFS Community Based Field Staff
CBS Community Based Services
CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CD Chemical Dependence
CDA Certified Dental Assistant
CLP Community Living Program
CLS Clinical Laboratory Scientist / Technician (Medical Lab Tech)
CMBS Certified Medical Billing Specialist (Medical Biller/Coder)
CMO Care Management Organization
CMR Certified Medical Receptionist
CMS Certified Medical Secretary
CNA Certified Nursing Assistant
CORI Criminal Offender Record Information
CP Cerebral Palsy
CPhT Certified Pharmacy Technician
CPI Crisis Prevention Intervention
CRCST Certified Registered Central Service Technician
CST Certified Surgical Technician, Certified Scrub Technician
CST Circulating Surgical Technician/Technologist
CT Cytogenetic Technologist
CT Cytotechnologist
DBT Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DC Direct Care
DCF Department of Children and Families (MA & CT)
DCYF Department of Children, Youth and Families (RI)
DD Developmentally Disabled
DDS Department of Developmental Services
DEEC Department of Early Education and Care
DHHS Department of Health and Human Services
DMH Department of Mental Health
DMHAS Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
DMV Division of Motor Vehicles
DOC Department of Corrections
DOE Department of Education
DOJ Department of Justice
DOL Department of Labor and Workforce Development
DPPC Disabled Persons Protection Commission
DSP Direct Support Professional
DYS Department of Youth Services
EdD Doctor of Education
EdM Master of Education
EEC Department of Early Education and Care
EOHHS Executive Office of Health and Human Services
FAS Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FFS Fee for Service
HBTS Home Based Therapeutic Services
HH Hard of Hearing
HHA Home Health Aid
HI Hearing Impaired
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HT Histology Technologist
HUD Department of Housing and Urban Development
ICBAT Intensive Community Based Acute Treatment
ID Intellectual Disability
IEP Individualized Education Program
IGH Intensive Group Home
ISP Individual Service Plan
LCADC Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
LCMHC Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LICSW Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
LMFT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LMHC Licensed Mental Health Clinician
LOC Level of Care
LPN Licensed Practical Nurse
LSP Licensed School Psychologist
LSW Licensed Social Worker
LTC Long Term Care
LTR Long Term Residential
LTSS Long Term Services and Supports
MA Medical Assistant
MAAPS Massachusetts Association (of 766) Approved Private Schools
MAHS Master of Arts in Human Services
MAP Medication Administration Program
MD Doctor of Medicine
MD Muscular Dystrophy
MEd Master of Education
MHW Mental Health Worker
MRC Medical Records Clerk
MRT Medical Records Technician
MS Multiple Sclerosis
MSEd Master of Science in Education
MSN Master of Science in Nursing
MSSW Master of Science in Social Work
MSW Master of Social Work
MT Medical Technician
NAMI National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
NCIC National Crime Information Center
NF Nursing Facility
NI Neurologically Impaired
NP Nurse Practitioner
OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OIG Office of Inspector General
OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Administration
OT Occupational Therapy
PA Physician Assistant
PAC Proactive Alternatives for Change
PASS Personal Assistance Services and Supports
PBS Positive Behavior Support
PROACT Professional Assault Crisis Training
PT Physical Therapy
PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
RDMS Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Ultrasound Tech)
RES-ED Residential – Educational
RIDE Rhode Island Department of Education
RN Registered Nurse
RRT Registered Respiratory Therapist
SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps)
SORI Sex Offender Registry Information
SSA Social Security Administration
SSDI Social Security Disability Income
SSI Supplemental Security Income
STARR Stabilization, Assessment, and Rapid Reintegration
TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TBI Traumatic Brain Injury
TCI Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
TCU Transitional Care Unit
TDD Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
TJC The Joint Commission
VA Veterans’ Administration
VI Visually Impaired
VNHS Veterans’ Mental Health Services
VRS Vocational Rehabilitation Services
WIC Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
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