Rehabilitation Medicine Care Team

Rehabilitation Physician

The rehabilitation physician (sometimes referred to as a physiatrist) is a medical doctor who has completed specialized training and is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They are responsible for the evaluation and management of patients with disease, disorder, or injury that impairs physical or cognitive function. They lead the multidisciplinary care team through development of a rehabilitation plan aimed at the recovery of the whole person by addressing his or her physical, emotional, vocational and social needs.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists focus on everyday life activities to address the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of function as well as engagement in meaningful roles at home and in the community to support quality of life during recovery from an injury or condition.   

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists focus on everyday life activities to restore strength and function, decrease pain, and prevent injury through instruction in maximizing mobility and ambulation during recovery from an injury or condition.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists focus on speech production, comprehension of spoken words, expressive language, reading compression and written language to improve communication during recovery from an injury or condition Speech-language therapists also focus on swallowing function through therapeutic strategies and diet modifications to increase safe and effective swallowing.

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Therapeutic Recreation Specialists use recreation and other activities to evaluate and treat patients in an effort to improve or maintain physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual functioning in order to facilitate full enjoyment and participation in life. 

Rehabilitation Psychologists and Neuropsychologists

The focus of rehabilitation psychology includes assisting individuals and families adjust to changes or chronic delays in physical and/or cognitive status secondary to developmental disability, illness and injury, providing assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional, and functional difficulties, and assisting individuals and their family members in overcoming barriers to participation in rehabilitation and in life activities.

Orthotists & Prosthetists

Orthotists and prosthetists design and fabricate medical supportive devices and measure and fit patients for them. These devices include artificial limbs (arms, hands, legs, and feet), braces, and other medical or surgical devices. These practitioners work closely with the physicians and therapists on the treatment team to make sure the devices fit and work properly.

Rehabilitation Engineers

Rehabilitation engineers focus on concerns related to increased fall risk, memory loss, decreased strength, and the need for constant access to communication by using technology and engineering concepts to provide individualized solutions— like emergency call systems, adaptive phone holders, voice control training, augmentative communication devices, and alternative phone/tablet/computer access methods—to increase independence and safety.

Rehabilitation Nurse

A rehabilitation nurse will be an important part of your care team if you need inpatient rehabilitation. Nurses are educated and trained to provide skilled medical, physical, and emotional care to patients. Nurses will coordinate patient care with other health care team members, provide education about the patient’s condition, assist patients and families on how to participate in that care and in preparation for leaving the hospital.

Rehabilitation Technicians

Rehabilitation technicians assist during treatment, including assisting with transfers or equipment set-up, ensuring transportation is ready at the appropriate time, and ensuring nursing care has been completed.