To achieve this, the specialists often use stress management techniques, patient education and play therapy. Social workers provide counseling for patients and families coping with the impact of illness, hospitalization and the need for post hospital care. Your social worker may also assist you in making decisions concerning health care treatment options. The social worker collaborates daily with other members of the health care team to assure that all aspects of a patient and family's needs, both medical and emotional, are met. A key service provided by your social worker is the development of a discharge plan that considers your post-hospitalization needs and your personal home care situation, in addition to helping locate necessary resources.
Transporters take patients from their room to diagnostic test sites or procedure units.
The unit support associate is the staff member who performs all clerical duties at the nurse's station and the ICU's on each floor. Facilities support associates are the housekeepers who assure that patient rooms and the floor in general are kept in the highest of standards. Depending upon individual needs, several of these professionals may be part of a patient's health care team. In addition, doctors may ask colleagues from another department to consult about a case.