Primary Members of the Treatment Team
Attending Physician
An assigned attending psychiatrist is responsible for patient care. The psychiatrist coordinates all aspects of care which includes the admission assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, management, treatment, and disposition. The attending psychiatrist may work with a psychiatric resident or to her professional staff member or trainee, who, under the supervision of the attending psychiatrist, coordinates all aspects of patient care and treatment.
Spiritual Care/Chaplain
The Department of Spiritual Care provides for the spiritual and religious needs of patients through trained inter-faith chaplains. Patients may also make a request for a faith-specific chaplain/religious leader. Patients may access these spiritual care resources through any staff member.
Clinical Social Worker
This is an LCSW or MSW who will coordinate with the patient and interdisciplinary treatment team to provide information and education regarding understanding and managing the psychiatric condition, mobilizing resources, improving interpersonal relationships, decision-making related to discharge and continuity of care, and locating appropriate post-discharge services. Clinical Social Work services may include individual and group counseling, family meetings or family therapy.
Dietician
The dietitian in conjunction with the diet technician provides a nutrition screening for all patients admitted to RNPH by day 4. The dietitian provides a nutrition assessment for all high-risk patients and participates with the treatment team in development of a nutrition plan to assist patients to acquire and integrate healthy eating habits and meet their nutrition goals.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist identifies patients’ skills, interests, capabilities, perceptual-motor abilities, and general developmental level, and areas of strength and deficiencies. Occupational Therapists also assist in improving patient’s skills that pertain to activities of daily living, and play or leisure situations.
Charge Nurse
The Primary Nurse provides direct individual care and education to patient and their families. This nurse develops a comprehensive nursing care plan for each assigned patient and works closely with the nursing staff in delivery of this care. This nurse works closely with all members of the interdisciplinary treatment team. Emphasis is placed on teaching patients to develop problem-solving skills, coping skills, and manage symptoms.
Nurse Practitioner
A patient may be assigned a nurse practitioner as part of their treatment team. They are advanced practice nurses who specialize in psychiatry. Nurse practitioners work with the attending physician to assess, evaluate, diagnose, and treat the patient. They meet with the patients individually to discuss their treatment goals, to prescribe medications, to provide other therapeutic modalities, to coordinate care with outside providers, and to encourage involvement from patient’s outside support system such as family to promote further stabilization after discharge.
Pharmacist
Although you may not meet with this person individually, the pharmacist is a specialist in psychiatric medications who provides consultation and education to clinical staff. The pharmacist reviews all medication orders before being carried out.
Recreation Therapist
The Recreation Therapist is responsible for assessing the patient’s leisure and social needs. RT activities are held both on the unit and off the unit, and involve patients in a range of leisure-time activities. The focus is on finding a balance between work and play as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Resident
This is a physician in psychiatric training who is assigned to work directly with the Attending Physician in the assessment, planning, and coordination of your individual treatment plan. This physician will meet with you individually for treatment, medication management, and other treatment modalities as indicated. Some patients will not have residents assigned to their case and will work directly with the attending physician.