Richmond Psychiatry Inpatient Service

Robert Lobis, MD, Medical Director

Each team also includes psychologists, social workers, nurses, a pediatrician and a nutritionist. Since Children's is a teaching hospital, trainees in any of these disciplines may be included in your child's treatment team. When your child is admitted to Bader 5, they will be assigned to a specific treatment team and will be assigned a case clinician (therapist) within that team who will manage your child's care.

Roles of Providers/Staff

Members of each treatment team meet daily to review your child's progress, behavioral changes, medical and nutritional needs, contacts with outpatient providers and discharge planning. Because there are so many different people involved in your child's care, it is important to know what role each person plays. Below is an explanation of the staff and providers' different roles:

The nursing team is comprised of two registered nurses and two milieu counselors. The nursing staff provides the direct supervision and daily care of your child and will usually be the first people that you see when you come onto the unit. The nursing team works closely with the doctors and clinicians to develop a treatment plan, assess your child's response to medications and behavioral interventions, and make recommendation for changes. The nursing team also works closely with the family to provide teaching, communicate issues with the treatment team and facilitate the transition home.

The attending (or staff) psychiatrist leads your child's team and oversees your child's care throughout the entire hospitalization. The psychiatrist reviews each patient's progress on a daily basis and is involved in decisions about medication changes, treatment issues and discharge planning. Contact the psychiatrist if you have any questions about treatment that have not been addressed by your child's therapist.

The clinical dietitian is involved if your child has any special nutritional needs or eating issues. They will assess your child's nutritional needs, monitor weight and vital signs and adjust meal plans as necessary. The dietitian also works with the team to develop a concise discharge plan addressing nutritional and aftercare plans for children with eating disorders.

The therapeutic recreation specialists provide group structure for your child to promote interaction with other children, assess motor skills and ability to concentrate and teach children ways to productively use free time and develop new coping skills.

There are two teachers on Bader 5, one for the school-age program and one for adolescents. They can work with your child's school to better understand your child's learning needs, facilitate a plan to help your child complete assignments while hospitalized and make recommendations for additional services or testing your child may need. They provide tutoring to patients while they are hospitalized.

The Program Director is a senior nurse who oversees all aspects of the Bader 5 program. She attends daily clinical rounds and facilitate communication with all caregivers. She supervises nursing staff and recommends how to manage children who are having a difficult time. She is available to meet with parents who have unanswered questions or concerns about their child's treatment.

The Medical Director is the senior child and adolescent psychiatrist on the unit. He provides consultation and back-up coverage for both attending physicians and is involved in monitoring all aspects of the Bader 5 program. He is available to meet with parents who have questions or concerns about their child's treatment.