What Staff and Professionals Work at a Skilled Nursing Facility?
Learn more about the different professionals that will be caring for your loved one.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
Registered Nurses play a central role in patient care, serving as primary caregivers and coordinators of healthcare teams. They assess patient conditions, administer medications, create care plans, and provide critical support in emergencies. RNs also educate patients and their families on health management.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
Licensed Vocational Nurses, also known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in some states, work under the supervision of RNs or physicians. They assist with patient care tasks, such as administering medications, taking vital signs, and providing basic bedside care. LVNs also observe patients’ conditions and report any changes to the nursing team.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
Certified Nursing Assistants provide direct patient care under the supervision of RNs or LVNs. They assist with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and feeding. CNAs also take vital signs, report patient status to the nursing staff, and ensure a clean and comfortable environment for patients.
Physical and Occupational Therapists
Physical Therapists help patients regain mobility and manage pain through exercises and physical interventions. They assess patients’ physical conditions, develop personalized rehabilitation plans, and guide them through exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and overall function.
Occupational Therapists, in contrast, work with patients to improve their ability to perform daily tasks. They assess patients’ abilities and develop interventions to enhance fine motor skills, cognitive function, and adaptive techniques for activities like dressing and cooking.
Speech/Language Pathologists
Speech/Language Pathologists specialize in diagnosing and treating speech, language, and swallowing disorders. They assess patients’ communication abilities, develop personalized therapy plans, and provide interventions to improve speech clarity, language skills, and swallowing function.
These professionals often work with individuals who have suffered from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or developmental disorders.
Case Manager
The Case Manager is your primary guide and point of contact for navigating your loved one’s stay in our skilled nursing setting. They oversee and coordinate the various aspects of care, ensuring a seamless experience.
Case Managers work closely with the healthcare team, create care plans, and facilitate communication between different disciplines to meet the patient’s medical needs efficiently.
Social Worker
Social Workers specialize in addressing the psychosocial well-being of patients. They play a crucial role in providing resources for individuals experiencing depression or isolation. Social Workers advocate for patients who may be facing abuse or neglect, actively working to ensure their safety and well-being.
Additionally, they document any grievances reported about the facility or staff and facilitate contact with the ombudsman to resolve concerns and improve the overall quality of life for patients.
Medical Doctors (MDs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
Medical supervision and care at facilities are overseen by MDs and/or Nurse Practitioners. While your loved one’s doctor may not be physically present every day, they are available on-call to address any medical needs. Should you have concerns, your loved one can communicate them to your nurse, who will relay all requests to the MD.
On average, your loved one can expect to be seen by a doctor within 24 hours of admission, and subsequently, you will be visited approximately twice a week to ensure comprehensive and timely medical attention throughout your stay.