During your child's stay, you and your family will interact with our healthcare team, a group of dedicated professionals who want to help restore your child's health. Your team will be available to answer your questions and concerns.

To make it easier for you, all employees and volunteers wear name badges that show their name and department.

Any number of the following will make up your child's healthcare team depending on your child's need:

Doctor

Your child's doctor is in charge   of the healthcare team and directs your child's treatment. Your doctor may also call on specialists in specific fields to consult/treat your child, but he/she will remain involved in all decisions about your child's healthcare and in communications with you. In addition, you may have resident physicians on your child's healthcare team. Residents are doctors who have graduated from medical school and are completing a post-graduate training program in a specialty area. They are under the supervision of our medical faculty. Find out what time the doctor makes his or her usual rounds so you can be sure to be in the room with your child and have your questions answered.

Nurses

Your child will have nurses available around the clock. Some nurses work a 12-hour shift, while others may work eight or four hour shifts. You will interact with several different nurses during your child's stay, and you will find they can be invaluable partners in your child's healthcare journey. The nurse will review your child's plan of care with you and answer any questions you may have. In addition the nurse will help you prepare your child for any tests or procedures.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP)

NNPs are registered nurses who have advanced education in the management of sick newborns. They work with doctors to provide medical care for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery and the Neonatal Progressive Care Nursery.

Child Life Specialists

Child Life Specialists provide education and emotional support for children and their families while they are in the hospital. They provide opportunities for medical play, meeting and interacting with other children in the hospital, helping children understand about their illness and preparing for tests, procedures or operations. These activities help children cope with their illness to make being in the hospital a more positive experience. They can also provide guidance and suggestions for siblings of a sick child that will help the entire family.

Respiratory Care Practitioners

Respiratory Care Practitioners are healthcare specialists who are trained to evaluate, treat and care for pediatric patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart and lung disease, RSV and others. They will work closely with you to provide education and training to help you manage your child's illness.

Clinical Social Workers

Clinical social workers help families cope with the stress associated with the diagnosis and treatment of many illnesses and disorders. They believe that treating the emotional and social issues is an essential part of the overall treatment. By completing a psychosocial assessment, social workers can assist with the day-to-day issues that many families face while hospitalized, as well as the unexpected needs that may arise. Social workers are also available to offer you support, education, counseling and information about community resources. Clinical Care Coordinators are registered nurses who communicate medical information to your insurance or managed care company about your child in order to ensure medical bills are paid in a timely fashion. These care coordinators also work with you and the healthcare team to identify any needs your child may have after discharge.

Community Transition Coordinator

The Community Transition Coordinator is a nurse who identifies children up to 5-years-old who are at risk for developmental delay and then refers them to the appropriate community agency for developmental follow-up. The Community Transition Coordinator works with Family and Developmental Specialists to ensure a smooth transition occurs from the hospital into community based services.

Family and Developmental Specialists

Family and Developmental Specialists provide early intervention services to families of children up to 3-years-old who require extended hospitalizations. They provide specific education and support that improve child developmental outcomes and assist with a smooth transition into community based follow-up services.

Chaplain

Your family's spiritual needs are honored and respected by our hospital staff. Chaplains are available 24 hours a day to offer spiritual support to you and your family. The hospital chapel is located on the 2nd floor and is open at all times for private meditation. If you need to speak with a chaplain or you would like to know when services are held, please call 704-355-2218.

Students

Medical and nursing students may help care for your child as well. These students are carefully guided by our medical staff in all of their interactions with patients and families.