Many healthcare professionals with special skills will care for your child while they’re in the hospital. This includes doctors and nurses.
Other health professionals
Other healthcare team members you may meet while in the hospital are:
Child Life Specialist
A child life specialist (CLS) has training in psychology, child development, and related fields. They help prepare infants, children, and youth for surgery and other medical procedures. They also provide support for families. They soothe fears and help kids and their parents cope with stress through play, education, and self-expression.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists (OT) are health and rehabilitation professionals. They help people regain, develop, and build skills that are important for health, well-being, security, and doing things by yourself.
Learn more about an occupational therapist.
Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist (also called a physical therapist or PT) is a healthcare specialist that helps with movement. They get people moving when they have an injury, medical condition, disease, or difficulty moving because of aging. Physiotherapists will help people to regain movement, keep their level of movement, prevent injury, and promote fitness, health, and wellness.
Learn more about a physiotherapist.
Respiratory Therapist
A respiratory therapist (RT) cares for patients with breathing problems. They work with patients with asthma and those on life support who need a machine (ventilator) to help them breathe.
Learn more about a respiratory therapist.
Social Worker
A social worker helps patients and their families understand and find out about healthcare and other systems that offer resources and services. A clinical social worker will talk with patients and their families to help them cope with their health situation.
Learn more about a social worker.
Volunteer
Volunteers are one of a hospital’s most valuable resources. The time and energy they bring helps support patients and staff. They add extra care to the quality healthcare that patients and residents get at the hospital. Some run the gift shop, others deliver books or newspapers, and others bring fresh water to patient rooms.
Learn more about a volunteer.
Unit Clerk
Unit clerks help manage a hospital nursing unit. They’re often the first person patients and their families see or talk to on the unit. Unit clerks greet and direct visitors, patients, and staff. They answer and redirect calls, answer questions, and relay messages. Unit Clerks schedule patients for tests and treatment and help maintain patient records and charts. They’re responsible for contacting patients to let them know about admission, discharge, and appointment dates. If needed, they can assist patients by arranging for transportation.
