About our care team
The care a patient needs to regain independence and well-being depends on the patient’s unique situation. You can count on our care team to work with you and the patient to help the patient reach his or her physical, psychological, social, and other goals.
What our care team does
Learn about the care team members and what they do.
Adaptive sports consultant
Neuropsychologist
Occupational therapist
Physiatrist
Physical therapist
Registered dietitian
Registered nurse case manager
Rehabilitation nurse
Respiratory therapist
Social worker
Speech language pathologist
Therapeutic recreation specialist
Adaptive sports consultant
An adaptive sports consultant provides information and resources about sports and recreational programs that provide ongoing activities for people with a disability.
As part of the care team, the adaptive sports consultant:
- coordinates on-site and community outings with adaptive sports and recreation organizations
- provides information via e-mail about upcoming adaptive sports and recreation events
- helps you access resources and adaptive physical education programs in your area to help the patient maintain a healthy, active lifestyle
Neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist addresses cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral issues.
As part of the care team, the neuropsychologist:
- assesses how well the patient is able to think, remember and reason
- assesses the patient’s emotional and behavioral functioning and provides supportive counseling and/or behavioral treatment as needed
- provides education to patients, families, caregivers, and care providers about neurological effects (including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral conditions), coping with challenging behaviors, management of emotional difficulties, and other recovery-related issues
- assists the team in adjusting the patient’s hospital environment to minimize inappropriate behaviors and maximize the benefits of rehabilitation
Occupational therapist
An occupational therapist helps patients get back to daily living activities, including work, school, leisure, and community or family activities.
As part of the care team, the occupational therapist:
- works with patients on self-care including dressing, bathing, eating, and other everyday living activities
- helps patients manage changes in movement, strength, sensation, and coordination
- teaches about protecting joints and understanding body mechanics
- helps patients find the best way to get back into family, work, and social settings
Physiatrist
A physiatrist specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and guides the patient’s treatment plan.
As part of the care team, the physiatrist:
- diagnoses diseases and conditions, identifies impairments, and oversees the rehabilitation program
- interprets radiological and lab test results
- prescribes treatment, therapy, and medications
Physical therapist
A physical therapist helps restore the patient’s mobility and physical functioning.
As part of the care team, the physical therapist:
- identifies changes in the patient’s strength, mobility, and sensation loss, and how those changes affect functional abilities
- teaches the patient how to use wheelchairs, braces, and other equipment to gain function
Registered dietitian
A registered dietician helps the patient achieve a better recovery through good nutrition.
As part of the care team, the registered dietitian:
- screens the patient for dietary risk factors that could slow recovery
- provides diet education
- helps create goals for a healthier diet
Registered nurse case manager
A registered nurse case manager coordinates patient care under the direction of the physician, communicates with all the members of the care team, and helps educate the patient and you about the rehabilitation process.
Most importantly, the registered nurse case manager will make sure your questions are answered regarding the patient’s care and return to the community.
As part of the care team, the registered nurse case manager:
- helps you understand medical equipment health coverage by explaining what equipment and supplies are covered and which are paid by the patient
- helps you navigate the health care system
- facilitates follow-up therapies after discharge, either at home or at your local Kaiser Permanente medical facility so the patient can continue rehabilitation
- provides education about the patient’s goals and home care needs to ensure a safe return home
Rehabilitation nurse
A rehabilitation nurse helps patients achieve maximum independence, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As part of the care team, the rehabilitation nurse:
- helps the patient maintain and restore body function and prevent complications
- helps the patient use skills learned in therapy
- coordinates the patient’s daily schedule and team activities
- helps educate the patient, you, your family, and any caregivers about medications and care needs
Respiratory therapist
A respiratory therapist helps the patient achieve maximum lung function.
As part of the care team, the respiratory therapist:
- maintains or restores the patient’s lung function and helps prevent complications such as pneumonia
- monitors how well the patient’s lungs are working
- provides respiratory medications and therapies
- educates the patient, you, and your family about respiratory equipment and therapies
Social worker
A social worker helps the patient with personal issues affected by disability.
As part of the care team, the social worker:
- assesses how the patient may adapt to disability
- provides counseling and support
- assesses how available immediate or extended family members are to help the patient at home
- helps address housing, education, employment, financial resources, and transportation issues
Speech language pathologist
A speech language pathologist helps patients with problems in thinking, remembering, speaking, and swallowing.
As part of the care team, the speech language pathologist:
- provides therapy for speech and language skills such as listening, reading, talking, and writing
- helps the patient use both verbal and nonverbal communication
- treats difficulties with concentration, problem-solving, and memory
- helps the patient with difficulty in swallowing
Therapeutic recreation specialist
A therapeutic recreation specialist helps the patient return to social and leisure activities.
As part of the care team, the therapeutic recreation specialist:
- gets the patient involved in leisure and recreation activities that suit his or her age, disability, home and community, and preferences
- provides community resources and help with adjusting to life with a physical or cognitive limitation
