At Children’s Hospital of Michigan (CHM), there are many different people who help care for kids in many ways. All CHM employees wear their badges which are to be visible at all times. The badge will tell you the employees name as well as their role in the hospital.

Here are some of the people you’ll find Pediatrician:
A pediatrician is a doctor who has completed additional special training on children, their growth and development, and their illnesses and injuries.

Referring Physician:
The referring physician is the doctor who made the suggestion that you bring your child to Children’s for care. You may be asked this person’s name. The reason is we want to be able to communicate with them about your child.

Attending Physician: 
The attending physician is a doctor who is responsible for attending to the patients on a particular unit. This doctor may be your child’s own pediatrician, a specialist or a surgeon that your doctor has recommended.

Surgeon:
A surgeon is a doctor who performs operations.

Anesthesiologist:
The anesthesiologist is a doctor who helps keep children comfortable with a deep sleep. This doctor monitors and supports a child’s heart rate, temperature, blood pressure and circulation during surgery.

Psychiatrist:
A child psychiatrist is a doctor who has had special training to help children and teenagers with their feelings, thoughts and behavior.

Psychologist:
A psychologist is a non-medical doctor who helps children, teen-agers and families understand their feelings, thoughts and behaviors.

Resident:
A resident is a doctor who is studying for an advanced specialty medical degree. Most residents at Children’s Hospital are specializing in the care of children.

Fellow:
A fellow is a doctor who has completed residency training and is gaining additional education in a specific area of children’s health care.

Medical Student:
A medical student is a college graduate who is studying to become a doctor.
 
Nurse Practitioners:
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with special education and training. They can do some tasks performed by doctors.

Registered Nurse (RN):
A registered nurse coordinates patient care with other staff and directs the activities of other nursing staff on the patient care unit. They also provide much of the direct care to your child. Your child’s nurse will prepare a plan of care to meet your family’s specific needs while in the hospital. Nurses help families learn about their child’s illness and plan for care at home.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN):
LPN’s perform and assist with many procedures and provide basic, bedside care. LPN’s are assigned patients and are supervised by an RN.

Student Nurse:
Student nurses are training to become RNs or LPNs.  They have completed important class work in a nursing program. At Children’s Hospital, student nurses are supervised by an RN.

Patient Care Associate (PCA) & Student Nurse Assistant (SNA):
PCAs & SNAs are part of the nursing team, assisting and performing basic procedures, such as taking vital signs. PCAs & SNAs are also supervised by an RN.

Unit Clerk:
Unit clerks perform many different clerical tasks such as answering the phone and organizing medical charts.

Registration Clerk:
Registration clerks collect information about you and your child during the admissions process.

Interpreter:
An interpreter is available to families who speak languages other than English. Translation for American Sign Language (ASL) is also available. If you need an interpreter, ask your nurse, social worker or call (313) 745-5281.

Child Life Staff:
Child life specialists implement medical play, preparation/support through procedures, pain management techniques, emotional support, and play activities. Child life staff consists of child life specialists, child life assistants, school teachers, music therapist, and a project specialist. The goal of child life is to reduce the stress of hospitalization by providing developmentally appropriate information, teaching of coping skills, maintaining safe areas for play, implementation of special events, school sessions, and use of music as a therapeutic tool. Ask your child’s nurse or contact (313) 745-0064 for more information about child life services.

Dietitian:
Your dietitian can provide you with a written copy of your child’s diet before you go home. If you have any questions regarding your child’s diet or concerns regarding food preferences, please call the Nutrition and Food Services office at (313) 745-5331 and ask to make an appointment with a dietitian.

Therapist:
There are many types of therapists that help your child heal. These can include respiratory, physical, occupational,  therapeutic recreation, and speech therapists. Your child’s doctor orders all therapy treatments.

Technologist and Technician:
Your child’s doctor will often order blood tests, x-rays and other procedures to help diagnose and treat your child. Technologists and technicians perform these tests.

Social worker:
Social workers help families with social, emotional, family and health related needs. Social workers can refer families to social service agencies, support groups and other resources in their own community. To contact a hospital social worker, call (313) 745-5281

Chaplain:
Chaplains are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They help meet the spiritual needs of patients and families. The chaplains at Children’s Hospital serve people of all religious faiths. However, your own clergy are welcome to visit you or your child at any time. To contact a hospital chaplain, call (313) 745-5391.
 
Volunteers are scheduled throughout the day. They are here to assist families in any way they can. Need a break? Ask your Nurse or Child Life Specialist to call the volunteer office to see if one is available. They would be happy to sit with your child while you take a little break.

Housekeeper:
A housekeeping aide is the person who performs a wide variety of cleaning tasks in their assigned areas such as cleaning patient rooms, rest rooms, offices, public hallways and other ancillary areas, dusting furniture, washing walls and ceilings, replenishing lavatory supplies, emptying trash, shampooing carpet and mopping floors.

Transporter: 
A transporter is the person who escorts or transports patients within the hospital by stretcher, wheelchair or bed for treatment, testing, admitting, discharge and intra-hospital transfers.

Dierary Aide:
A dietary aide is the person that prepares, delivers and cleans the patient trays. They also cashier, serve in the cafeteria, makes baby formulas and set up caterings. Basically, the dietary aide takes care of all food service functions. During your time at the hospital you will meet many other hospital staff and volunteers. Any of us are happy to help you if you are lost, unsure, or need help. Please ask.

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