PICU Team Approach

We strive to provide the best quality care for your child and many Children’s of Alabama team members are involved in the care of your child. Below you will find a list some of the team members.

Critical Care Team—cares for all patients in the PICU. Because your child needs highly specialized care, you will encounter many staff members.
Intensivist—The doctor who specializes in the care of critically ill children. Our critical care staff consists of attending physicians, fellows and residents.
Attending Physician—A senior member of the medical or surgical staff who is in charge of your child’s care. The attending physician supervises your child’s treatment and works with other team members to plan care every day.
Fellows—Physicians who have completed their pediatric residency and are now training in this special area of pediatrics.
Residents—Physicians who are receiving training to become pediatricians in the hospital. They participate in your child’s care under the direction of an attending physician and a fellow.
Consulting Physicians—Experts in a specific area of pediatric care. Your child’s attending physician may ask a consultant to help diagnose and treat your child. A consulting physician will also have a team of fellows and residents.
Nurse Practitioner—A nurse with special training in diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients. They work in partnership with the medical and nursing staff in the unit.
PICU Nurse Manager—Oversees the nursing care provided by the unit staff 24 hrs a day. The manager is available to answer questions related to your child’s care or to help obtain needed resources.
PICU Charge Nurse—There is a Charge Nurse on every shift. They are available to answer any questions.
PICU Nurse Educator—Oversees education and continued competency for all RN’s working in the PICU.
Registered Nurse (RN)—Always assigned to care for your child. PICU nurses are specially educated in caring for critically ill children and their families.
Clinical Assistant (CA)—A person trained to assist the registered nurse in patient care.
Respiratory Therapist (RT)—Evaluates and treats patients with breathing problems. This person assists with a child’s care by providing therapy and education during the hospital stay.
Social Workers—Specially skilled counselors who help families cope with having a child in the hospital. They can help you access community resources and plan for the things your family will need after discharge. Social work services are available every day.
Child Life Specialist—Helps both patients and their brothers and sisters adjust to the hospital. They help children express their feelings about the hospital through play and other activities geared to the child’s age and ability to understand.
Hospital Chaplain—Available for spiritual support and to administer sacraments. The chaplain can also help you reach clergy members of other faiths.
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy—Your child may receive Physical and/or Occupational Therapy during his/her PICU stay. Physical therapists and occupational therapists work together to maintain or improve your child’s flexibility and strength, as well as encourage proper positioning to prevent muscle tightness and pressure areas.
Research—Research is an essential component of improving patient care. If your child is a candidate for participation in a research study, you will be contacted by the physician who will present to you the details of the study. This will include an in-depth discussion of the details of the proposed study, and the possible risks and benefits involved. You will have adequate time and opportunity to have the physician address any concerns or questions that might arise. Your child’s care will not be changed in any way due to your decision to participate or not participate in the research study. Information obtained through such research is kept strictly confidential.