Nursing/Allied Health Care Worker Terms

In the hospital environment, there are wide variety of professionals who work collaboratively to provide the best possible care for patients. In addition to physicians, the HUC acts as a liaison between these professionals in the course of their daily duties. Below you will find a list of the most common nursing and allied health professionals that the HUC will typically interact with in their duties within the hospital setting, along with their scope of practice.

Nurses

Nurses provide much of the day-to-day care in hospitals, closely monitoring a patient’s condition and performing vital jobs like giving medicine and educating patients about self-care.  Many kinds of nurses provide varying levels of care; the type of nursing staff utilized in each department is directly correlated to the type of patient care required to provide safe care.

Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs): These regulated nurses typically work in less acute hospital areas and provide basic patient care such as collecting patient assessment information, administering medications, and performing nursing procedures according to their scope of practice. RPNs generally complete a two- to three-year diploma and must write a licensing exam. RPNs often work with RNs in team nursing models, or may take primary care of patients in less acute areas. In many areas, RPNs are assuming increased responsibilities and may assume charge positions in some non-acute care facilities, such as long-term care.

Registered Nurses (RNs):  These regulated nurses provide similar patient care as RPNs but with an increased scope of practice. RNs must complete a four-year degree and pass a licensing exam in order to practice. RNs may lead a team in team nursing models, or take primary care of patients in acute and critical care areas.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs): These regulated nurses are RNs who complete two years of additional graduate work and licensing. They work in a variety of settings and complete physical examinations, diagnose and treat common acute illnesses, and manage chronic illnesses. NPs can work independently, order laboratory and diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications.

Supervisor Roles

In addition to the above nurses who perform hands-on clinical care, the HUC will also closely interact with their unit’s clinical resource nurse and their nurse manager, who provide unit leadership.

Clinical Resource Nurse/Charge Nurse: The nurse, usually an RN, who is in charge of coordinating and managing the clinical care on the unit during their shift. This nurse may work full-time or part-time and can be assigned to this role on a continuous or rotating basis among staff members. The HUC collaborates closely with the clinical resource nurse and reports to them regarding daily concerns during the shift, such as staffing and bed management.

Nurse Manager/Unit Manager: The nurse, usually an RN with additional education and leadership skills, who supervises a nursing unit, by managing staff, budgets, patient care, and implementing hospital policy. Due to budget restrictions, nurse managers in many hospitals manage a set of interrelated departments, such as Surgical Services or Cardiology Services.

Other Professionals/Allied Health Care Workers

Cardiology Technologists: These health professionals perform diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), stress testing, Holter monitor testing, ambulatory blood pressure testing, and pacemaker monitoring and programming.

Child Life Specialists: These specialists work to assist children and their families reduce stress and during hospitalization through play, preparation, self-expression, and education (Nemours KidsHealth, n.d.).

Dietitians (RDs): These health professionals assess, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions related to the nutritional needs of patients. They work with patients with regular dietary needs, as well as those on therapeutic diets. They also provide dietary education to patients, families, and other healthcare providers. In addition, dietitians work with other members of the healthcare team when a client has dietary needs related to physical disorders such as dysphagia.

Environmental Service Personnel (ESPs):  These health care workers ensure a safe, hygienic environment for patients and staff. They maintain the cleanliness of patient rooms, including disinfecting patient beds and high-touch areas, and perform unit cleaning tasks, including floor cleaning and disposal of used equipment and soiled linens.

Home Care Coordinators: These health professionals assess care needs and eligibility for services and equipment for patients upon discharge, as well as coordinate admission to long-term care facilities. Home care coordinators are often RNs; however, other regulated health care professionals may also assume this role.

Laboratory Technologists/Technicians, and Phlebotomists: Technologists perform complex analyses of tissue, blood, and other body fluids. Technicians and phlebotomists spend the majority of their time processing samples and, in some unique cases, collecting them.

Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs): These health professionals use imaging, such as X-rays and computerized tomography (CT), to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists: These health professionals use equipment to acquire scans of areas such as the thyroid, heart, bones, and kidneys using some form of radioactive contrast material.

Occupational Therapists (OTs): These health professionals work with patients with illnesses, injuries, delayed development, or disabilities to develop or improve skills needed for daily living and working, such as bathing, grooming, eating or dressing. They also can assess the home for safety and evaluate the patient’s need for assistive devices for when they are discharged from the hospital or rehabilitation facility.

Patient Transport Worker/Porter: These staff members transfer patients and their equipment between hospital areas for tests, appointments and procedures. They may transport patients in wheelchairs or on their beds or stretchers depending on the patients’ requirements.

Personal Support Workers (PSWs): These certificate program graduates assist patients with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting. PSWs and/or health care aides typically work with nurses in a team nursing model in less acute hospital departments.

Pharmacists: These health care professionals ensure medication safety and are a vital resource for other medical professionals who have questions or concerns about the medications being administered to patients. Pharmacists not only ensure that patients get the correct medication and dosing, but also that they have the guidance they need to use the medication safely and effectively.

Physician Assistants (PAs): These professionals are licensed to practise medicine under the supervision of a physician in a clinic or hospital. PAs can diagnose and treat patients and prescribe medicine, and some may be surgical assistants (Albany Medical College, 2022).

Physiotherapists (PTs): These healthcare professionals who assess, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions, including those related to the patient’s strength, mobility, balance, gait, coordination, and joint range of motion. Treatments may include exercises, massage, joint manipulation, and occupational retraining (Carter & Rutherford, 2020).

Respiratory Therapists (RTs): These health professionals treat patients with respiratory-related conditions. Their specialized respiratory care includes managing oxygen therapy, drawing arterial blood gases, managing patients on specialized oxygenation devices such as mechanical ventilators, CPAP, and Bi-PAP machines, and administering respiratory medications such as inhalers and nebulizers. They also serve as an integral part of code teams during cardiac and respiratory arrests.

Social Workers: These professionals focus on providing psychological and emotional support to patients and families in need and connecting them with community resources. They ensure continuity of care and make sure the patient has the resources they require when they leave the hospital.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs): These health professionals assess, diagnose and treat patients with speech and communication problems related to a variety of physical disorders, disabilities, or developmental delays.

Volunteers: These people of all ages donate their time to help enhance patient care within the hospital through activities such as working in gift shops, visiting patients, escorting patients, and providing support to staff.

References

Nemours KidsHealth. (2022). Doctors and hospital: Doctor & hospital visits.

Albany Medical College. (2022). Medical staff titles & terminology.

Carter, K., & Rutherford, M. (2020). Building a medical terminology foundation. eCampusOntario.

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