Caregivers and Other Staff Contributing to Your Child's Care
All Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center staff are specially trained to help patients and their families with their concerns. We welcome your questions and comments at any time.
Chaplains
Chaplains from Pastoral Care provide spiritual support for patients and their families. Available on each unit, chaplains will help contact your personal clergy person. To speak with a chaplain, please call 513-636-4376. After 5 pm and on weekends, the operator will page the chaplain on call.
You are welcome to visit the chapel (Location A, level 1) or the nondenominational meditation room (Location B, level 1) at any time. Times of chapel services are posted in elevators.
Child Life Specialists
Child Life specialists offer educational play activities that explain hospitalization and medical procedures. These books, toys and games help reduce anxiety, provide age-appropriate explanations and offer supportive relationships where children can share their concerns. You can contact a child life specialist, 513-636-8855, or send an email to childlife@chmcc.org.
Dietitians
Dietitians specialize in children's nutrition. They evaluate patients’ nutritional needs and help families plan for dietary changes.
Division of Family and Community Relations Representatives
Division of Family and Community Relations representatives provide a link between families, patients and hospital staff. They can tell you about patient rights and responsibilities, hospital procedures, policies, resources and services. They can also help resolve problems or concerns.
All Cincinnati Children's employees pledge to uphold our Customer Service Standards. If you have any problem with services at Cincinnati Children's, please contact a Division of Family and Community Relations representative, 513-636-4700.
Health Unit Coordinators
Health Unit Coordinators act as receptionists and handle clerical duties to keep patient care areas running smoothly. They are good sources of general information about a particular unit or division.
Managers
Managers of patient services are specially trained nurses that represent the hospital administration from 3 pm to 7 am weekdays and on weekends and holidays.
Medical Doctors / Physicians
Medical Doctors / Physicians are the leading care provider for patients, and may also be called attending physicians. They diagnose the child and determine the best course of treatment for that particular diagnosis. Doctors may also refer patients to other health care providers that specialize in the treatment of the patient’s diagnosis.
Medical Residents
Medical Residents are medical doctors who are receiving advanced training under the direction of full-time staff physicians. A resident physician is assigned to each patient. Residents work with the attending physician to determine the best treatment plan.
If you have medical questions that are not answered to your satisfaction, ask the resident how to contact the chief resident or attending physician.
Nurses
Nurses give specialized physical and emotional care. They assess patients, anticipate needs and promote healing. Nurses are often aided by Patient Care Assistants (PCA). Cincinnati Children’s has achieved Magnet™ designation for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credential Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. This is one of the highest levels of recognition a hospital or medical center can achieve.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists help patients by teaching them skills to master daily living activities. They provide patients with customized treatment programs. Occupational Therapists train patients and their families in the use of equipment that helps replace lost function and provide recommendations on how to adapt the home and school environment. They also provide guidance for family members about safe and effective methods of caring for their child.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists trained in pediatric pharmacology review and prepare medications ordered by a patient’s doctor. They are available to answer questions about general medication information, administration of medication and any possible interactions.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists use positive approaches and age-appropriate activities and techniques to improve a child's motor skills, balance and coordination, and strength and endurance. They create a custom treatment program for each patient to ensure the best recovery possible.
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists consult with physicians regarding the selection of procedures and courses of therapy, and assist patients and their families with instruction on respiratory home care therapy and equipment. Respiratory therapists may also administer breathing treatments.
Social Services Representatives
Social Services representatives will help you understand and manage any special problems associated with your child's illness, chronic disease or disabilities. Social workers can help locate community programs to provide special education, counseling, home health care and financial guidance. Please call 513-636-4711 to speak with a social worker.
Speech Pathologists
Speech pathologists help patients improve their communication skills, articulation, language, voice, resonance and fluency. They also evaluate and treat patients with feeding or swallowing dysfunction.
