Recreation therapists use play, recreation, education, self-expression and theories of child development to help normalize the hospital experience and reduce the stress children and families associate with health care experiences. Respiratory therapists focus on restoring and maintaining proper and healthful breathing. School teachers help patients in grades K-12 keep up their studies. They contact students' home districts and facilitate school re-entry upon hospital discharge. Social workers offer crisis intervention, information and referral to community agencies and other services.
Speech therapists evaluate and treat children with communication problems.
Volunteers are community members who generously give their time and talents to the hospital. They work in a variety of areas providing both direct and indirect patient care. Nursing Case managers are registered nurses assigned to the service lines who coordinate and manage your child's care throughout hospitalization and plan for your child's discharge. Charge nurses are responsible for overseeing the nursing care on a unit during a particular shift. Nursing staff are the caregivers who work with physicians and other health professionals.