Are there examples of professional pairs where one can do the job of the other but not the reverse?

[Tooting Carmen]

The only example I can think of is doctors versus nurses. Anything a nurse can do a doctor can also do, but not the other way round.

[Tooting Carmen]

In the specific case of the British legal system: magistrates versus crown judges. The latter can judge on any type of offence and have the full range of sentences at their disposal, but the former can only sentence people to prison for up to five years IIRC, and they will usually pass a case onto the Crown Court if they think it is beyond their competencies.

[gixajo]

The only example I can think of is doctors versus nurses. Anything a nurse can do a doctor can also do, but not the other way round.

In practice that is not the case, although theoretically it should be.

[Tooting Carmen]

In practice that is not the case, although theoretically it should be.

What do you mean? Nurses can check patients' weight, height, temperature, blood pressure etc, as well as treat minor illnesses and injuries - all stuff doctors can also do.

[gixajo]

It depends on what type of doctor Tooting, most of specialist of medicine are not going to sew up a patient like a nurse can, or take blood samples or vaccinate, or so many technical things that they may have only studied during their career and that they have never put into practice with their own hands.

[Tooting Carmen]

It depends on what type of doctor Tooting, most of specialist of medicine are not going to sew up a patient like a nurse can, or take blood samples or vaccinate, or so many technical things that they may have only studied during their career and that they have never put into practice with their own hands.

Granted, but the point is that they have still studied them and potentially could carry out those tasks - only that they usually delegate it to the nurses.

[gixajo]

Doctors in general take responsibility for diagnosis, in practical matters of cure, the work is generally done by nurses. Obviously in a surgery, , the practical part is also the doctor's responsibility so doctor is who do normally "the job" , but the vast majority of doctors do not work "like surgeons."

[gixajo]

Granted, but the point is that they have still studied them and potentially could carry out those tasks - only that they usually delegate it to the nurses.

Yes, of course, and a General has studied how a cannon works, but Generals do not fire cannons.(or any officer if you prefer.)

[Tooting Carmen]

Yes, of course, and a General has studied how a cannon works, but Generals do not fire cannons.(or any officer if you prefer.)

Nevertheless, I'd still say that there are far more things that a doctor can do that a nurse can't than the other way round.

[gixajo]

Nevertheless, I'd still say that there are far more things that a doctor can do that a nurse can't than the other way round.

Doctors, because their studies and training requires broader and deeper knowledge, in theory should be able to do far more things than nurses. That being said, I agree.