Meriter's Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Program
Roles of the Treatment Team and
Patient Activities
 Roles of Treatment Team Members
Your treatment team may include the following. Pictured at right are two team members: Jennifer (left), a social worker/therapist, and Karen, RN, assistant nurse manager.
Clinical Specialist
The Clinical Specialist facilitates group therapy and family therapy sessions, and participates in meetings about your care and treatment.
Health Unit Coordinators
The health unit coordinators are staff members who work at the front desk. They help with phone calls, visitors and are available to answer questions about the unit and the hospital.
Nurses / Mental Health Specialists
Nurses and Mental Health Specialists are your day-to-day contact people. They are on the unit 24 hours a day. When you are admitted here, you will be assigned to two or three Nurses or Mental Health Specialists who will work with you on a regular basis. Nurses and Mental Health Specialists work with patients individually and in various group activities.
Occupational Therapist
The occupational therapist (O.T. Staff) leads groups to help you understand your problems and appreciate your strengths. These groups focus on self-esteem, creativity, and learning new skills.
Pediatricians or Other Medical Doctors
These people may be called in to do a physical exam when you are first admitted or if a medical problem occurs during your stay here.
Psychiatrist
The psychiatrist is the doctor who admits you to the Unit. He or she is in charge of your care. Your psychiatrist will help plan your treatment and will make decisions about medication, passes off the unit, and discharging you from the hospital.
Psychologists
A psychologist is often involved in your treatment to do psychological testing. This testing is used to help your psychiatrist and other staff get a more in-depth understanding of you and your specific needs and issues. There are no right or wrong answers in these kinds of tests.
Recreational Therapist
The recreational therapist will organize activities both in and out of the hospital for leisure and social purposes.
Social Worker
The social worker is the person who will work with your family. Your Social worker may meet with you and your family individually or together. The social worker also contacts people outside the hospital who work with you (such as counselors, therapists, and other social workers), and helps plan for your care after discharge.
Students
Since Meriter is a teaching hospital, there may be times when a university student, such as an occupational therapy, nursing, social work, or medical student, may work with you. All of the students work closely with your regular staff.
Teacher
The teachers will be in contact with your school to help you continue with classes and assignments. There are also scheduled times to attend school here on the unit. The teacher is available to help you with specific educational needs.
There are also people who work here who are involved with your care, but who do not work directly with you. These include the Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Managers and the Medical Director. You may bring any concerns you might have about your treatment to these people.
Patient Activities
The following are activities and groups that may be experienced during your stay:
Task Group - Occupational Therapy
A creative way to work on arts and crafts, which help with concentration, manual skills, organization, planning, communication skills and cooperation.
School Program
School is held Monday through Friday. Assignments are obtained from your home school. The Teacher is available to assist with school work. There is time set aside each day for homework.
Recreation Therapy
Includes a variety of group and individual activities which may be passive and/or physically active. The Recreational Therapist will encourage each individual to make decisions, learn responsibility and participate in activities to the best of their physical, social and emotional capabilities. These groups may include: Cooking Group, Leisure Education and Community Activities.
Community Activities
Staff organize special outings away from the hospital. The purpose of these outings is to use your social and educational skills in a community setting.
Cooking Group
Cooking group is a way of working with others to make something enjoyable to eat and to help with cooking skills.
Group Therapy
A group where you can talk about your experiences and feelings and how these affect decisions you make. The group also allows you the opportunity to get support and feedback from your peers.
AODA Group
This is an education group that will include videos, games, and discussion to increase your knowledge of the effects of alcohol and drugs on your life and the lives of others. This knowledge is to assist you in making healthy choices in your life.
Educational Groups
Educational groups occur in the evening and may include such topics as: sexuality; life skills; health and nutrition; assertiveness training; and self-esteem.
Community Meeting/Level Review
Community Meetings are a place where both patients and staff can talk about issues related to unit rules, unit issues, living together, etc. This meeting is led by patients on C level or above.
Relaxation/Meditation
This group assists you with the use of relaxation and coping skills.
Staff Meeting
During your hospitalization, a meeting may be held to discuss your care, treatment and follow-up recommendations. A "staffing" is a meeting that includes the staff working with you, your psychiatrist, and other professionals from outside the hospital (such as your school counselor and therapist). All of these people included in your care will meet with you and your parents to discuss your treatment needs and progress and to plan for your discharge.
Family Meetings
We believe an important way of providing care to you is to include your family as much as possible in your hospitalization. This means meeting with you and your family throughout your hospitalization to gather information, to give you and your family information and support, and to help you leave the hospital with the support and follow-up that you and your family need. These meetings may include your social worker from the unit, and/or your psychiatrist, and sometimes your therapist from outside the hospital, if you have one.
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7/19/2006
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