The Rehabilitation Team

While you are in the Rehabilitation Unit, you will work with an entire team of specialists dedicated to helping you meet your individual rehabilitation goals. Your rehabilitation team meets regularly to discuss your progress and plan for your discharge from the hospital. After each team conference, a member of the team will review the information discussed at the meeting with you and your family.

Patient and Family
You and your family are the most important members of your treatment team. It is your responsibility to attend all therapy appointments and to practice the skills you have learned.

Physicians
Your physician during your stay in the Rehabilitation Unit is a physiatrist, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists provide medical care and services for rehabilitation patients, prescribe programs and equipment, and supervise your program. During your stay, you will be visited by your physiatrist every day, even on weekends.

Nurses
Our nurses are specially trained in rehabilitation medicine and other specialty areas. They provide individualized care designed to help you maintain your best physical, social and psychological health, as well as help you and your family members develop self-care skills necessary for independence. Your nurses can answer questions and serve as a valuable resource for you and your family.

Physical Therapist
Your physical therapist will evaluate your mobility, strength and balance. Together, you and your physical therapist will establish goals for your treatment and develop a program designed to help you become as independent as possible.

Occupational Therapist
Your occupational therapist will help you learn to do things like dressing yourself, bathing and getting around in the community. You will work together to learn new skills that you will need to take care of yourself after you leave the Rehabilitation Unit. You may also learn to use special equipment if necessary.

Speech/Language Pathologist
The speech/language pathologist specializes in treating people who have difficulty with speech, language, memory, thinking or swallowing.

Psychologist
The psychologist may interview you and your family to assess reactions to your hospitalization. This allows the psychologist to treat the physical, emotional and social impact the illness or injury has had on your life.

Respiratory Therapist
A respiratory therapist helps manage pulmonary issues and tracheostomies.

Case Coordinator
The case coordinator will help you and your family plan for the care and services you may need when you leave the hospital. The case coordinator also serves as your contact person regarding insurance coverage and equipment needs.

Nutrition Services
Nutrition Services will work with you, your nurse and your physician to develop an appropriate dietary plan, as well as provide counseling on special diets and general nutrition.

Specialists in nutritional supplementation are available to manage special feedings.

Rehabilitation Admissions Coordinator
The Rehabilitation Admissions Coordinator is a registered nurse who specializes in rehabilitation. The Coordinator provides the initial screening to establish appropriateness of the patient for Acute Rehabilitation. The Coordinator also meets with the patient/family/significant other to discuss Rehabilitation, the choices available, and the admissions process. The Coordinator also obtains pre-certification from the insurance companies to ensure that the patient is in the appropriate facility and that the stay will be covered.

Social Services
The Social Worker is available to provide psychosocial support and counseling, financial counseling, as well as ongoing communication with the patient and their family/significant other. As the patient’s stay progresses, the Social Worker will meet with the patient/family/significant other to assist in finalizing the discharge arrangements in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Team and Physiatrist on the Unit.

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