During Your Visit > Your Healthcare Team

St. Chris is a teaching hospital, meaning that doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who are in training may care for your child. Each staff person in training works under the supervision of a qualified senior professional staff person. St. Chris believes that all these staff members add to the quality and professionalism of your child's care.

Some members of your child's health care team may include:

• Attending physician: a senior medical doctor who directs the patient's care
• Fellow: a medical doctor in training who specializes in one area, such as a doctor studying to be a cardiologist or a nephrologist
• Resident: a medical doctor who is training in pediatrics
• Nurse practitioner: a nurse with special training in diagnosing, treating and caring for patients
• Staff nurse: a nurse responsible for your child’s care throughout the day and night. There is always a staff nurse responsible for your child's nursing care.
• Clinical assistant: a professional trained to assist a staff nurse with patient care
• Chaplain: a person who can provide spiritual companionship at a difficult time and serve as a good listener when you need it most
• Social worker: a health care professional who meets with families to help them better cope with illness and hospitalization and access necessary services
• Child life specialist: a professional who can enhance a child's emotional, social and cognitive growth during a hospital stay by using developmental interventions, as well as medical and other play.