Namaste lyds,
You can be a healer without being a reiki practitioner, in the same way you can be a massage therapist without be an Aromatherapist.
The difference is the source of the energy, as has already been mentioned.
If you are sufficiently interested in reiki, why not do it properly? A site to study (if you have not already been there) is
May you enjoy the fruits of your final choice:)
L&L jonjo