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The Caregivers
For your information, here is a short description of your Caregivers at Little Falls Hospital:

Primary Care Physician: The doctor listed by your insurance company as the first you seek for the provision of medical care.

Anesthesiologist: The doctor who administers your anesthesia (a drug to induce unconsciousness or local insensitivity to pain) prior to surgery.

Cardiologist: A physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Family Practice Physician: A doctor who sees patients of all ages and provides health care in general medicine.

Gastroenterologist: A physician who specializes in diseases of the digestive tract.

Hematologist: A physician specializing in the study and treatment of blood diseases.

Internist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and medical treatment of diseases of adults.

Neurologist: A physician with expertise in the treatment of disorders involving the nervous system.

Obstetrician/Gynecologist: A surgeon who specializes in women's health care.

Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in the study of tumors.

Ophthalmologist: A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of diseases and defects of the eye.

Pathologist: A doctor skilled in the branch of medicine which studies the essential nature of disease, especially the structural and functional changes in tissue and organs.

Pediatrician: A physician specializing in the treatment of children.

Physiatrist: A doctor skilled in dealing with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease with the aid of physical agents, such as light, heat, cold, water and electricity or with mechanical apparatus - physical medicine.

Podiatrist: A physician specializing in the study and care of the foot.

Psychiatrist: A doctor specializing in the study, treatment and prevention of mental illness.

Radiologist: The physician who interprets all exams performed by the hospital's department of radiology including: x-rays and fluoroscopies, mammographies, nuclear medicine tests, C.A.T. scans, ultrasounds and IVP tomographies.

Surgeon: A doctor who specializes in performing surgery.

Urologist: A physician specializing in the branch of medicine which concerns itself with the urinary tract in both males and females, and with the genital organs in the male.

Family Nurse Practitioner: A health care provider who assumes total nursing care of specific patients under the direction of a physician. They follow established nursing standards, procedures and practices and give specific patient care directions to nursing and other staff.

Nurse Manager: The employee responsible for directing and supervising each nursing unit including the implementation of policies, procedures, standards and regulations appropriate to personnel, medical staff, patients and the public.

Primary Care Nurse: This is the health care professional who is accountable for a plan of care for you on a continuing basis, twenty-four hours a day. He/She will work very closely with you, your family and physician to assure all your needs are met with satisfaction.

Registered Nurse: Your Primary Care Nurse will, most likely, be a registered nurse. It is his/her responsibility to provide professional nursing care for assigned patients according to established standards and practices.

Licensed Practical Nurse: Provides professional nursing care under supervision for assigned patients in assigned areas according to established standards and practices.

Certified Nurse Assistant: Assists professional nursing personnel in providing patient care in assigned areas.

Unit Secretary: Attends the nursing station and performs clerical and reception duties, requisitions supplies, equipment and services as directed.

Nursing Students: Individuals receiving clinical training in patient care.

Social Worker: Plans, organizes and implements social services to patients and families. Plans for discharge and aftercare and maintains contact with referring agencies, related people and community resources used for referral.

Phlebotomist: Draws blood from patients for testing as ordered by physician and assumes responsibility for safety and comfort of patient during the process.

X-ray Tech: Operates radiologic equipment to make clinical diagnostic x-ray films as directed by physician and performs routine diagnostic procedures according to established standards and practices.

Dietitian: Works with patient, professional staff and physician to develop and implement an individualized diet plan for each patient.

Physical Therapist: Performs treatments and provides exercise instruction and demonstrations for inpatients and outpatients.

Occupational Therapist: Plans and implements specific treatment programs for individual patients and patient groups according to the principles and practices of the hospital.

Respiratory Therapist: Provides respiratory therapy to patients as ordered by their physician, according to established standards and practices.

Housekeeper: Cleans and sanitizes rooms and furnishings in assigned work areas following established policies and procedures, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and sanitation throughout the hospital.

Volunteer: Identified by blue jackets and may be found assisting hospital staff members and patients as directed in many hospital departments.

Hospital Guild Members: Identified by salmon colored smocks and found assisting in the Coffee Shop, visitor reception area and on the medical/surgical floors when needed.

Junior Vounteer: May be found assisting hospital staff members and patients as directed in many hospital departments.