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Your rehabilitation team is chosen just for you and includes the specific doctors, therapists and other professionals you need to make the best recovery.
Doctors (MDs, DOs, APPs)
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The type of doctor leading your care team is called a physiatrist. Physiatrists have advanced training and expertise in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (i.e., how the body moves). They will:
- Guide your medical care
- Oversee your progress
- Work with the rest of your care team to ensure well-rounded care
Additionally, a Resident Physician, completing his or her advanced training (or “residency”) in physiatry, will work with you and your doctor.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
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An RN will provide direct patient care, including:
- Administering medications to meet your health, educational and functional goals
- Working with you and your family to develop skills needed to keep you healthy
- Coordinating patient family-centered care
- Addressing patient and family education required for discharge
Patient Care Technicians (PCTs)
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A PCT will:
- Assist you with daily activities, including showering, grooming, dressing and eating
- Work closely with your care team to perform basic care during your stay
Physical Therapist (PTs)
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Your PT will develop an individualized treatment plan to:
- Focus on activities to help with balance, mobility, strength, endurance and range of motion; (i.e., getting out of bed and moving around in your environment)
- Identify what changes, including equipment, you need to make to your home or next living environment as you prepare to leave
Occupational Therapists (OTs)
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An OT will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan, which:
- Helps you gain more independence with your daily activities and routine
- Focuses on showering, grooming, dressing, eating
- Works on arm strength and coordination, thinking skills and safety awareness
Identifies assistive bathroom equipment for your next living environment and ensures that you and your family members have the proper training
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLPs)
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An SLP will develop an individualized treatment plan that focuses on:
- Listening and understanding, speaking, reading and writing
- Attention, memory, organization for communication
- Chewing and swallowing safely
Respiratory Therapist/Care Practitioners (RCPs)
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You may work with an RCP to:
- Identify and assist with special medical equipment to help you breathe if you cannot on your own
- Help determine what kind of therapy is best based on any lung or breathing disorders
- Provide condition-specific education for families
Psychologists
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A psychologist will work with you to:
- Focus on your psychological and emotional health throughout your rehabilitation and recovery
- Help you accept changes to your ability or function following an injury or illness
- Support you as you adjust to the emotional challenges of living with a chronic condition or impairment
Care Managers
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A Care Manager is a licensed social worker or a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse who will:
- Assess your goals, review your support systems and identify needs at home or in your next living environment
- Work with you and your family to prepare an action plan for when you are ready to leave
- Talk to your insurance company and assist with financial/community resources
Research Scientists
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Our research scientists:
- Work closely with our clinical teams to help solve clinical problems and apply evidence-based research to clinical care
- Help our clinicians understand breakthroughs on how the body recovers from injury and disease
You may have the opportunity to participate in a research study or trial if you choose to, depending on what active trials are ongoing. Your care team can share more information about how these opportunities may relate to you.
Pharmacists
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Our clinical pharmacists:
- Review and ensure every medicine you are prescribed is safe and effective for your recovery
- Work with your nurses and physicians to optimize your medication regimen
Other Members of Your Care Team
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Our goal is to help you restore your function and independence. Each patient's care team is customized to fit his or her needs.
Dietician
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Clinical dietitians will assess your nutritional needs. They will teach you how to make nutritionally sound food choices to speed your recovery process and help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Prosthetist & Orthotist
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Our team works with you to provide the right prosthetic or orthotic device to help you meet your goals. We provide everything from prefabricated orthoses (braces) to customized microprocessor lower-limb prostheses (“smart” artificial limbs).
Recreational Therapist
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Our Therapeutic Recreation team is composed of therapists who specialize in ways to make recreational activities fun, engaging and healing. The team schedules events during the week and on the weekends that are available to all patients.
Technologist
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Specially trained therapists will assess, identify and recommend appropriate assistive devices to help you communicate. Together, we will make sure you are comfortable with the equipment and are able to use it to its full potential.
Unit Assistant
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The unit assistant (UA) is an integral part of your care team and can be located at the center nursing station (i.e., the one closest to the visitor elevators), seven days a week, generally from 7 am to 8:30 pm. They have information on therapy schedules, your care team, parking, restaurants and other services nearby. Your UA will assist you in any way they can.
Wheelchair Seating Specialist
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Specially trained OTs and PTs will conduct an evaluation of your unique abilities, needs, lifestyle and environment. They will recommend a wheelchair seating system, which may include specialized supportive cushions; backrests; headrests; or trunk, arm and leg supports.