As the only tertiary academic medical center in Iowa, UI Hospitals and Clinics provides a wide range of clinical services. As a result, your child’s health care team may include many people. Every team member brings special expertise to your child’s plan of care.

Doctors

The doctors at UI Children’s Hospital have advanced training and many are specialists in a chosen area of medicine. Fellows and resident doctors are licensed physicians, and, along with medical students, may participate in the care of your child.

Attending Physicians

An attending doctor (often called the “staff” doctor) leads your child’s health care team and has overall responsibility for your child’s care while he or she is in the hospital. Along with residents, the attending doctor examines your child, monitors daily progress, plans care, and oversees treatment.

Fellows

Fellows are licensed doctors who have completed a residency program and are completing additional advanced training in another specialty area.

Residents

Residents are licensed doctors who are receiving additional specialty training. During their residency program, they provide care under the supervision of the attending doctor. Residents are in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and have close contact with patients and families.

Physician Assistants

Physician assistants are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with doctor supervision. They make medical decisions and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners

An advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) has additional education in a specialty area. These nurses work closely with attending doctors and nursing staff to provide your child’s care.

Nurse Managers

Nurse managers (NM) are responsible for the overall leadership of the unit and are a resource for patients and families who need help resolving problems or addressing concerns.

Nurses

Many types of nurses help care for your child at UI Children’s Hospital. They provide care and treatment and are a very important part of your child’s daily experience.

Assistant Nurse Managers

Assistant nurse managers (ANM) support nurse managers as needed.

Registered Nurses

Registered nurses (RN) are responsible for all general nursing care and for teaching patients and their families.

Licensed Practical Nurses

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is assigned to your child each shift and will assist the RN.

Nursing Assistants

A nursing assistant (NA) is assigned to your child each shift to support the nursing team.

Nursing Unit Clerks

The nursing unit clerksprovide clerical support for each unit and communicate patient and family requests to others on the care team. They assist with patient admission, transfer, and discharge. The unit clerk can answer many of your questions about non-medical hospital services.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists prepare and dispense medications. They work closely with doctors and nurses to monitor drug therapies and to prevent or correct drug interactions. They are available to answer any questions you may have about your child’s medicines.

Phlebotomists

These staff members draw blood from your child’s arm or finger for laboratory tests.

Physical Therapists

Physical therapists evaluate the patient’s developmental and functional skills. They treat physical, developmental, and neurological problems, and help children learn to use their bodies through exercise.

Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with breathing problems. They provide oxygen and other therapies, monitor ventilator functions, and offer education and equipment to patients who need ongoing respiratory care.

Child Life Specialists

Child life specialistshelp patients and families adjust to hospitalization and offer the children normal play experiences. They are trained to understand children’s special needs during hospitalization. Child life specialists help patients and families understand medical issues, and allow children to explore real medical equipment. They provide comfort and support during medical procedures or tests.

Continuity of Care Coordinators

Care coordinators support families with children who have a health condition that will last 12 months or longer. They help coordinate communication and care between doctors at the hospital and doctors in the patient’s home community. They help arrange in-home health care services after discharge, such as home nursing or medical equipment.

Dietitians

Dietitians help ensure that your child receives appropriate nutrition to support growth and healing. They are available to explain special diets, teach you how to mix formula, or manage feeding schedules.

Music Therapists

Music therapists design treatment sessions to help patients cope with their hospitalization and individual medical conditions. Music therapy soothes and helps ease pain.

Occupational Therapists

These staff members assess the child’s motor, sensory, cognitive, perceptual, and psychosocial development. They help patients gain maximum independence in their daily care, play, and school activities.

Patient Representatives

A patient representative provides family support, and will assist you with concerns, questions, or issues you may have about your child’s hospital stay. The nursing staff can help you contact a patient representative or you may call 6-1802 from a hospital phone between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

Social Workers

Social workershelp families with emotional, physical, and financial concerns related to a child’s illness. They are available to help during treatment, hospitalization, discharge, and return to school. Social workers refer families to financial and social service resources and coordinate with community and educational agencies near the child’s home. To contact Social Service, call 6-2207 from a hospital phone.

Environmental Services

Housekeeping staff are an important part of keeping your child safe while in the hospital. They visit your child’s room each day to clean, restock supplies, and remove trash. Your child’s nurse will change the bed linens.

Students

It is possible that students from many health-related fields will be active and helpful in the care of your child. They work closely with our staff and are held to the same standards regarding patient confidentiality and practice as the hospital staff. Students do not make independent decisions about your child’s care.

Volunteers

You or your family members may meet a volunteer during your hospital stay. We consider our volunteers important members of the health care team.