Meet the Team
You and your child will be assigned to a treatment team in the Division of Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The treatment team members include a psychiatrist or resident, a therapist and a nurse care manager. Nurses and mental health specialists assist the teams by providing care to your child. The parent / guardian provide needed information for the assessment and plan of care. Your child and immediate family are also considered part of the treatment team to achieve the best possible outcome.
The patient care and medical staff work together to observe, diagnose and treat the behavioral, medical and psychiatric problems your child may be experiencing. The unit staff is also here to provide educational support to parents and families.
Psychiatry Team Member Roles
Your child's medical doctor is board certified in both general and child adolescent psychiatry. The psychiatrist directs patient care and treatment plans. Your child will meet daily with the psychiatrist for assessment and medication management.
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Therapist
The therapist is a licensed social worker or licensed professional clinical counselor who contacts you to arrange a family meeting where you will have the opportunity to express your concerns for your child's treatment. If time allows they will also provide family therapy. The therapist is a great resource for learning how you can help with your child's treatment. The therapist will assist with discharge plan and follow-up treatment.
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Nurse Care Manager
The nurse care manager is a registered nurse who coordinates your child's treatment and is your link to the doctor. You will be contacted by the nurse care manager about medications that may be recommended for your child. You will have the final decision about medications given to your child on a daily basis.
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Psychiatric Nurses
The nurses on each treatment team are Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who have had training in managing a therapeutic environment. These individuals work directly on the unit with your child and provide any needed medical care.
In addition, the psychiatric nurses at Cincinnati Children's assist the Mental Health Specialists in providing the daily therapeutic activities and groups. Nurses are assigned on a shift-by-shift basis and provide the 24-hour care component of the unit. You will find a nurse in charge on every unit, every shift.
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Mental Health Specialists
Mental Health Specialists work directly on the unit with your child. These individuals are educated about mental illness and therapeutic interventions.
The Mental Health Specialists at Cincinnati Children's assist your child with setting daily goals to work on and learning new skills that can help them cope. They do this through group therapy, recreational activities and therapeutic activities. Mental Health Specialists are assigned on a shift-by-shift basis and help provide the 24-hour care component of the unit.
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Health Unit Coordinator (HUC)
Some of the responsibilities of the Health Unit Coordinator include managing the main desk on the unit, answering the door and the telephone and keeping the unit running smoothly.
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The Parent
The parent / guardian is an important part of the team. It is the responsibility of the parent / guardian to provide the needed information about their child's behaviors, history, medications, successful and failed interventions and much more.
Without this information, the team cannot do a thorough assessment.
The parent / guardian works closely with the team to set goals, develop a plan and to begin to plan for discharge and a successful transition from the hospital.
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