Your Child's Care Team
During your child’s stay in the hospital, you will meet many different members of the hospital staff. To help you identify who is who, here is a short description of those you are most likely to encounter as part of your child’s care team and what they usually wear.
Attending Physicians
The most senior doctors treating your child on a day-to-day basis, they are responsible for making major decisions relating to your child’s treatment. You may meet more than one during your stay.
Subspecialists
These doctors have extensive advanced training and experience in medical or surgical subspecialties. They may be asked to consult on specific aspects of your child’s care.
Fellows
A fellow is a doctor pursuing advanced training in a medical subspecialty.
Nurses
There are several different types of nurses, each with their own responsibilities. The nursing team may include the Patient Care Director (PCD), Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM), and Clinical Registered Nurses (RN). You will have most contact with your RN.
Advanced Practice Providers
An advanced practice provider is a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. They may be part of your child’s care team. They can deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests and prescribe medicine(s).
Unit Clerks
Unit clerks greet patients and visitors arriving on the unit, answer phones, and assist with nonclinical issues. They are available to answer your questions.
Child Life Specialists
Child life specialists have expertise in child development and healthcare. Through a mix of play, creativity, and support, they teach patients, families, and caregivers about procedures and help them cope with their hospital stay and new experiences.
Social Workers
Social workers address emotional issues that may arise from being in the hospital by providing counseling and support group information. In addition, they coordinate discharge planning and provide information about community services.
Environmental Services
Environmental services are responsible for providing a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for patients, families and staff.
Family Advisors
Family advisors are members of the NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital Family Advisory Council and are parent volunteers who had or have a child in the hospital. In collaboration with hospital staff, family advisors co-educate hospital staff through the Family Faculty program and offer a parent’s perspective on various hospital Advisory Committees. They also provide support to current families based on their own experiences.
Volunteers
Volunteers assist hospital staff with a wide range of activities throughout the hospital.
Pastoral Care
Our multifaith chaplains are available to meet the religious, spiritual, and cultural needs of patients and families during their hospital stay.
ID Badges
Everyone listed above must wear a hospital ID badge; they vary in color according to the wearer’s position. Always check that the photo on the ID badge matches the person wearing it.
Regular Staff ID
All NYP Employees