520
Detailed Needs and Requirements: Psychiatric Unit
6. Medical Students
A maximum of eight medical students will accompany the psychiatrist,
resident or intern on patient rounds. They conduct patient interviews of
a confidential nature, observe therapy sessions and participate in
seminars or formal instruction on the unit. They may also need to
study and perform simple laboratory test while assigned to the unit.
7. Nursing Students
Nursing students also participate in patient care activities. They
administer medications, are active in some therapeutic procedures,
and may assist on patient rounds. They may receive classroom
instruction or participate in seminars on the unit. The number of
nursing students on the unit varies.
8. Psychology Trainees
Psychology trainees are normally Ph.D. candidates. They function in a
manner similar to the psychologist and under his direction, and there
are usually several on a 30-bed unit.
9. Ward Clerk
The ward clerk is responsible for the bulk of the administrative paper
work relating to the admission, care, and discharge of patients, the
preparation of all dispositions, the processing of physicians' orders for
medication and treatment, the updating of patient charts and records,
and the distribution of mail. In contrast to GM & S units, which have a
greater turnover of patients, the psychiatric ward clerk can cope with a
larger patient load.
10. Social Worker
The role of the social worker in the psychiatric team is to appraise the
social background of patients and to help establish attainable goals for
patient treatment.
2 - 96
Previous Page
