ATTENDING PHYSICIAN

A doctor who has the primary responsibility for coordinating the medical treatment and care for a patient. In the NICU this will generally be your baby’s neonatologist.

AUDIOLOGIST

A medical professional who treats patients with hearing, balance and ear related problems.

CARDIOLOGIST

A medical doctor who specializes in the heart and circulation.

CASE MANAGER

A staff member who interfaces with insurance agencies regarding medical necessity and length of stay, as required, helps with discharge planning, arranging for medical equipment and visiting nurses when necessary.

DEVELOPMENTAL PAEDIATRICIAN

This is a physician who specialize in evaluating and treating problems with child development. They assess the level of development of premature infants.

DISCHARGE COORDINATOR

A nurse who plans for discharge with the family and health care team. This helps make everyone ready when the baby goes home. She makes sure teaching has been completed, and works with hospital staff and home health agencies. She arranges for the parents to room-in and for home care, community services and Infant Progress Clinic.

GASTROENTEROLOGIST

A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treatment of diseases of the digestive system.

LACTATION CONSULTANT

A health professional, more often a nurse, who provides information and support about breastfeeding and pumping breast milk.

NEONATOLOGIST

Paediatricians with several years of additional training specialized in dealing with the diseases and care of newborn infants.

NEPHROLOGIST

A medical doctor who specializes in disorders of the kidneys.

NEUROLOGIST

A medical doctor who specializes in dealing with the diseases and care of the brain and nervous system.

NURSE

A health professional with training and are licensed to diagnose and treat illness in collaboration with physicians.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (OT)

A health professional with training that gives premature babies stimulation. The OT helps the infant learn to swallow, how to stay comfortable and relaxed and also teaches the parents other activities.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of refractive, medical and surgical problems related to eye diseases and disorders.

OTOLARYNGOLOGIST

A medical doctor who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat.

PAEDIATRICIAN

A medical doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of infants and children.

PARENTS

Parents are members of your baby’s team. They are the most important people in the baby’s life. There will be many different staff with the baby to provide care. However, parents are the only ones who will remain absolutely constant. By being there as often as they can, the baby will come to know their touch and face. (He already knows their voice.) Parents will get to know the baby too: what seems to comfort him most, what he likes and dislikes.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT)

A health professional with training to perform and teach exercises and other physical activities to aid in rehabilitation and maximize physical ability with less pain. In the NICU, the PT may be involved in helping the baby’s muscle and movement development.

PHYSICIAN

A general health professional with a degree in medicine.

RADIOLOGIST

A trained physician who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body.

REGISTERED NURSE

A health professional licensed to treat patient responses to illness and carrying out medication regimens prescribed by the physician, nurse practitioner, dentist or physician’s assistant. They may have an additional certificate to work within the NICU.

RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (RT)

A health professional trained to assess breathing and heart function, treats with oxygen therapy or ventilation and gives medicines to help with breathing as prescribed by a medical practitioner.

SOCIAL WORKER

A professional with training of helping families cope with crises and change. In the NICU setting, the social worker helps families access community resources such as support groups and assistance groups. They help with planning the baby’s hospital discharge and help families cope with stress.

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