Meet Your Child's Care Team

The doctors at Tufts Medical Center provide outpatient care for a range of specialties and subspecialties. Yearly check-ups, consultations, first time appointments and follow-up appointments are among the types of doctor's visits that you might have Tufts MC. During your appointment, your doctor and other healthcare professionals will typically talk with you about your current health status and the next steps for care. Always make sure to ask any questions you may have; our doctors are happy to help and provide any guidance you may need.

If you are staying overnight at the hospital, your doctor—the “attending physician”—will visit you regularly and coordinate all aspects of your care, from pre-admission to discharge. Because Tufts Medical Center is a teaching hospital, your attending physician is assisted by members of the house staff—residents and interns—who are physicians that are receiving specialized training. You may meet some medical students and physicians’ assistants as well. Your medical care is always directed by a senior physician—your attending physician. Physician consultants, who specialize in treating certain conditions, may also visit you at the request of your attending physician. A physician member of your team is available around the clock to ensure that you receive expert medical care from someone familiar with your medical needs.

Learn about our physicians and their specialties.

Every patient admitted to Tufts Medical Center will be cared for by a registered professional nurse in collaboration with other nurses and clinical care technicians. Your nurse will work with you to plan your care and will also work closely with other members of the health care team (physicians, social workers, therapists, etc.) throughout your stay. He or she will help you understand the nature of your illness, its treatment, and how to care for yourself after discharge. If you have any questions or concerns during your stay or after discharge, feel free to discuss them with your nurse. The unit’s Clinical Nursing Director will also be happy to work with you to address any concerns regarding nursing care.

Learn more about nursing at Tufts MC

The Medical Center staff recognizes that illness and the need for hospitalization can be a stressful experience for both patients and families. To help you and your family cope with these stresses, a clinical social worker is available as an integral member of the health care team.

Social workers are available to patients and families throughout their time in our care. Social workers provide a variety of services that range from individual, family or group counseling to finding accommodations for patients and families who are from out of town. They can also assist patients in planning for their personal safety and accessing protective services, if needed. As a member of the health care team, your social worker routinely consults with hospital staff and will, when appropriate and with your permission, also work collaboratively with community agencies on your behalf to ensure that you receive optimal care.

If you or your family wish to speak with a social worker regarding any of these services, please call the Department of Social Work Services at 617-636-5136 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After these hours, if you need to speak with a social worker on an emergency basis, please let the staff on your floor know and they can contact the social worker on call.

Learn more about Social Work Services

In addition to preparing and dispensing medications, our pharmacists monitor inpatient drug therapy and provide information to physicians and nurses. . A pharmacist can also answer your questions about the medication prescribed by your physician. 

Learn about Pharmacy Services at Tufts Medical Center

Each patient care area has Patient Services Assistants assigned to provide personalized nonclinical services. These PSAs perform a variety of tasks including room cleaning, providing transportation within the hospital, serving meals and responding to your requests. Each PSA is poised to serve you in an effort to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Interpreters

The Medical Center provides interpreters in more than 30 languages, as well as video sign language interpreting services. Patients can request an interpreter by asking the secretary on the unit to call 617-636-5547. At night and on weekends, interpreters are available for emergencies only.

Learn more about Interpreter Services

Volunteers

Volunteers provide many complimentary services and are available to assist you in a variety of ways during your stay. In addition to delivering mail, volunteers can write letters for patients, read aloud to them, do errands within the Medical Center or spend time visiting.

Volunteer services for patients include:

• Book Cart - A large selection of books and magazines is available for patients and families. The book cart can be brought to patient rooms on request. Large-print books are also available.
• Activity Cart - Patients can choose crossword puzzles, playing cards, and games from the activity cart, which can be brought to patients’ rooms on request. In addition, the Volunteer Office offers an extensive library of DVDs and books on tape. 
• Newspapers - Volunteers can deliver newspapers to patients’ rooms each weekday morning. 

Volunteers work throughout the hospital in many different capacities, and new volunteers are always welcome. If you or a friend are interested in volunteering, please call the Volunteer Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 617-636-1377 or apply online. 

Chaplains of various faiths can visit you and your family to offer emotional and spiritual support. If you wish to speak with a chaplain, ask the unit secretary to make arrangements, or call 617-636-5111 and ask the operator to page the chaplain.

Learn about Religious and Spiritual Support at Tufts Medical Center