Experience and Expertise from a Team of Health Care Professionals
As a patient at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, you will benefit from the experience and expertise of a team of healthcare professionals who are committed to caring for you with sensitivity and professionalism. With our electronic medical record, a central and secure database of patient medical information used at every UH hospital, we document and communicate the details of your care every step of the way. Here are some of the team members you may encounter:
Physicians
Attending: The physician in charge of your care. Attending physicians are on the faculty of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine or have been credentialed to work here.
Consulting: A physician with whom other physicians discuss diagnoses or treatment plans.
Fellow: A physician obtaining advanced specialty or subspecialty training.
Resident: A medical school graduate who is training in a specialty.
Intern: A resident in his or her first year of training after medical school.
Medical Student: In teaching hospitals such as UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, medical students observe and work with the medical team under the careful supervision of other doctors.
Nurses
At UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, nurses are our frontline and the backbone of our staff. They constantly monitor the status of patients and assure their wellbeing. A registered nurse (RN) performs a nursing assessment for every patient, from which a nursing plan is developed.
Head Nurse Manager or Clinical Manager: Hospital unit supervisor.
Registered Nurse (RN): An RN is responsible for your care at all times. The RN assists physicians during examinations and treatments, administers medications and develops nursing-specific goals and interventions for patients.
Care Coordinator: This RN coordinates your care, communication and discharge planning.
Case Manager: This RN works with you, your nurse, care coordinator, social worker and medical team to develop and implement a plan for your care after you are discharged.
Advanced Practice Nurse: An RN with additional education and training in a specific area of healthcare, including clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Our LPNs assist registered nurses and contribute to goals developed by the RN.
Patient Care Assistant/Clinical Technical Assistant: Assistants who help with your care, under the direction of your RN.
Other Care Providers
Occupational Therapist: Occupational therapists evaluate and help improve patients’ ability to perform or participate in activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and cooking.
Physical Therapist: Physical therapists assist patients in resuming their ability to walk and move after an illness, injury or surgery. They also evaluate patients to help determine the best site for continued care and rehabilitation.
Speech-Language Pathologist: Speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat patients for communication and swallowing disorders.
Respiratory Therapist: Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with breathing problems due to illness or after anesthesia.
Physician Assistant: Physician assistants are licensed healthcare professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision. They can provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Social Worker: Social workers provide supportive counseling for patients and families, and help them adjust to illness, access community resources, plan for discharge from the hospital and arrange needed health services at home.
Transporters
Transporters take patients to various testing and treatment locations throughout UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.
Volunteers
Nearly 2,000 people volunteer their time at University Hospitals facilities throughout Northeast Ohio. They provide our patients with a variety of extra services, from hosting family waiting areas to providing reading materials.
Volunteer Services, ext. 41504 or 216-844-1504 from outside the hospital
Spiritual Support
Chaplain/Pastoral Care: Chaplains provide spiritual support for patients and families, and visit patients upon request. A nondenominational chapel is located on the first floor of Lakeside. See Chapel & Pastoral Care for more information.