Staff Definitions

Meet Our Team

All team members wear identification badges and should introduce themselves when entering your room.

Doctors

Your attending physician oversees all of your care, writes orders for medications, procedures or tests, and monitors your condition. 

Resident physicians monitor your health status and work with your attending physician to provide your care.

Physician assistants are at the hospital 24 hours a day providing coverage when your attending physician is not in the hospital. They monitor your condition, work with your attending physician to implement your course of treatment and provide round-the-clock supervision.

Hospitalists

Hospitalists are doctors who specialize in caring for patients only when they are in the hospital. Your primary doctor asked one of our hospitalists to become your doctor for the time that you will be a patient at South Shore. As the leader of your health care team, your hospitalist will manage the team of professionals caring for you, arrange for all the services you will need, keep everyone who treats you up-to-date and stay in touch with your primary doctor. The hospitalist manages your care from the moment you are admitted until you are discharged.

Nursing Staff

The nursing staff works together to implement the plan of care developed to help you meet your treatment goals. The nurses see to your physical and psychological comfort. 

The nurse manager is in charge of your unit and oversees your care. If you have any questions or concerns about your care, please bring them to the attention of your nurse manager.

Your registered nurse works with the interdisciplinary team to develop your plan of care. This nurse monitors your progress. Please feel free to discuss your plan of care and progress with you nurse.

Nursing assistants are an important part of the nursing team. They are available to help with basic care, like feeding, bathing, walking and toileting.

Phlebotomists (Blood-Drawing Team)

As part of the routine monitoring of many hospitalized patients, blood is drawn by a trained phlebotomist and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapists

Therapists may visit you in your room to begin exercises and treatment designed to maintain muscle strength and coordination while you are hospitalized, or to start the process of physical rehabilitation to help meet your goals of recovery.

Radiology Technologists

Individuals may come to your hospital room to take X-rays, or you may be taken to the Radiology Department for specialized tests.

Social Workers

Social workers provide emotional support, referrals to community resources and information regarding nursing home placement.

Clinical Care Coordinators

Clinical Care Coordinators are nurses who assess your needs and help facilitate your post-hospital care and follow-up.

Dietitians

A registered dietitian will review your medical record and work with your health care team to develop a nutrition care plan for you. Registered dietitians are also available to educate you about any diets you may need to follow after you are discharged.

Pharmacists

While you are in the hospital, all of your medications are dispensed by our hospital pharmacists. They can answer any questions you have regarding your medications.

Chaplain

A hospital chaplain is available to all patients and their families. Please contact the operator to request these services. A chapel is located on the first floor.

Volunteers

The volunteers on our team are people who want to use their skills and talents while gaining the personal satisfaction of helping others. These men, women and young people provide caring and compassionate support throughout the hospital. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, call (631) 968-3423.