Ch 2~ The Interprofessional Team

Interprofessional Team

• Key Members:

  • Registered Nurses (RNs) and Practical Nurses (PNs) are integral members of the interprofessional health care team.

  • Every discipline contributes unique skills within their scope of practice, with some overlapping areas.

• Collaboration:

  • The interprofessional team collaborates to provide holistic care to clients.

  • RNs often manage care and need to understand other team members' roles to facilitate effective collaboration and appropriate referrals.

Interprofessional Personnel (Non-Nursing)

• Spiritual Support Staff:

  • Provides spiritual care (e.g. pastors, priests).

  • Referral Example: A client requests communion before a procedure.

• Registered Dietitian:

  • Assesses nutrition needs, designs diets, and supervises meal prep.

  • Referral Example: A client has low albumin and recent weight loss.

• Laboratory Technician:

  • Obtains body fluid specimens and performs diagnostic tests.

  • Referral Example: Immediate need for a client’s complete blood count (CBC) results.

• Occupational Therapist:

  • Assesses and plans for regaining activities of daily living (ADLs).

  • Referral Example: A client needs help using eating utensils post-stroke.

• Pharmacist:

  • Monitors and evaluates medications, supervises pharmacy technicians (if allowed).

  • Referral Example: Concerns about medication interactions.

• Physical Therapist:

  • Aids in improving musculoskeletal function, especially lower extremities.

  • Referral Example: Assistance needed for ambulation after hip surgery.

• Provider (MD, DO, PA):

  • Assesses, diagnoses, and treats illnesses.

  • Referral Example: A client with fever and chills needs immediate assessment.

• Radiologic Technologist:

  • Performs imaging procedures for diagnosis.

  • Referral Example: A client with hip pain requires an x-ray.

• Respiratory Therapist:

  • Provides respiratory treatments and evaluates respiratory status.

  • Referral Example: A client short of breath needs nebulizer treatment.

• Social Worker:

  • Coordinates resources to meet psychosocial needs for recovery and discharge.

  • Referral Example: A terminally ill client wishes to go home but requires assistance.

• Speech-Language Pathologist:

  • Evaluates and recommends treatment for speech, language, and swallowing disorders.

  • Referral Example: A client struggles with swallowing post head/neck trauma.

Nursing Personnel Roles and Responsibilities

• Registered Nurse (RN):

  • Educational Preparation: Requires completion of a diploma program, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree, and state licensure exam.

  • Roles: Lead team member, assess clients, establish care plans, share information, and initiate referrals.

• Practical Nurse (PN):

  • Educational Preparation: Requires vocational education and state licensure exam.

  • Roles: Works under RN supervision, assists in care plan, recognizes needs for referrals.

• Assistive Personnel (AP):

  • Includes CNAs, CMAs, and other non-nursing staff.

  • Educational Preparation: Must meet training requirements for certification.

  • Roles: Work under RN/PN supervision; tasks may include basic care, vital signs monitoring, and client ambulation.

Expanded Nursing Roles

• Advanced Practice Nurse (APN):

  • Requires a master's degree and specialized certification. Has significant autonomy.

  • Types of APNs:

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Specializes in a practice setting.

  • Nurse Practitioner (NP): Provides primary health care alongside providers.

  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Administers anesthesia under supervision.

  • Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): Provides care to maternal-newborn clients.

• Nurse Educator: Teaches in nursing programs or health facility staff development departments.

• Nurse Administrator: Provides leadership within nursing departments.

• Nurse Researcher: Conducts research to enhance quality of care.