Hospital Staff Roles: Clinical, Support, and Administrative Functions

Hospitals operate through interdisciplinary teams. Key roles:

Clinical Providers

• Physicians (MD/DO): Attendings, residents, fellows—diagnose, treat, operate.
• Advanced Practice Providers: NPs, PAs—autonomous/collaborative care.
• Nurses (RN, LPN): Assessment, medication, IVs, education, coordination, advocacy.
• Therapists: PT, OT, SLP, RT—rehabilitation, function, communication, breathing.
• Pharmacists: Medication therapy management, sterile compounding, stewardship.
• Diagnosticians: Radiologists, pathologists, lab scientists—interpretation, diagnosis.

Support Services

• Technicians: Radiology, lab, pharmacy, surgical, cardiac, dialysis.
• Care Coordinators/Case Managers: Transitions, utilization, social determinants.
• Social Workers: Psychosocial assessment, discharge planning, crisis intervention.
• Chaplains: Spiritual care, ethics consultation, grief support.
• Patient Transport, Environmental Services, Food Services, Security.

Administrative & Leadership

• C-suite, department directors, unit managers
• Health information, coding, billing, compliance, quality, IT, HR, facilities.

Effective care depends on role clarity, communication, and mutual respect across all levels.