Glossary of Terms

P

Pastoral Care
The clergy (chaplain, pastor, priest) who provides religious minister, pastoral care, spiritual consolation/support to patients, their families, and members of the hospital staff.

Pathology
Manages the section of the lab which is designated for the scientific study of the nature of the disease, its causes, development, and consequences.

Patient Accounts
See Billing.

Patient Education/Health Promotion
Provides education and other services that will aid individuals or groups in achieving optimal levels of physical and mental health. Oversees the written goals for the patient and/or family to aid them in self-care skills, therapeutic regimens and understanding to medical procedures related to the patient's medical condition.

Patient Relations Representative/Advocate
The person who works with patients, their families, hospital departments and staff, medical staff, and administration in investigating patient complaints and problems while hospitalized. Answers/re-directs all patient questions regarding billing, physician referrals, counseling services available, etc.

Patient Safety Officer
Responsible for the leadership of the patient safety program in the hospital, oversees the formation and working of the Patient Safety Team, investigates patient safety issues and supports the reduction of medical errors.

Patient Transportation
Oversees the activities of transportation of a patient from one place to another. Sometimes referred to as Patient Escort.

Pediatrics
Supervises the branch of medicine that deals with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood.

Pharmacist
An individual qualified by education and authorized by law to practice pharmacy.

Pharmacist List
A customized list of pharmacists used for marketing to pharmacists; can be customized by pharmacy type, pharmacy ownership, location, environment, prescription volume or hours of operation.

Pharmacy Database
A comprehensive collection of pharmacy data organized for convenient computer access. Data includes pharmacy name, address, phone number, fax number, type of pharmacy, ownership, pharmacy chain data, prescription volume, pharmacist names, pharmacist titles, pharmacist phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses.

Pharmacy List
A customized list of pharmacies used for marketing to pharmacies; can be customized by pharmacy type, pharmacy ownership, location, environment, prescription volume or hours of operation.

Pharmacy Manager
This person is in charge of preparing, preserving, compounding, and dispensing drugs to the patient.

Pharmacy Services Director (includes: Formulary)
Monitors drugs added to the company formulary. Dispenses medication to patients per physician orders. Usually does the ordering of supplies and drugs.

Pharmacy Technician
A Pharmacy Technician is NOT a pharmacist instead they act as a Pharmacy Assistant. They assist the pharmacist in technical tasks, such as reviewing the past medication histories of patients for drug interactions, packaging prescriptions, conducting inventory control, and managing purchase records.

Physical/Occupational Therapy/Rehabilitation, Director Physical Therapy
Oversees the use of physically therapeutic facilities used by patients. Assist patient with disabilities to restore function, release pain, and prevent disability following disease, injury, or loss of body parts. This person is a licensed physical therapist. Occupational therapy: This person is responsible for assisting patients who have experienced physical injuries or illnesses, psychological or developmental problems, or problems associated with the aging process. Aid in improving their motor skills required for daily activity.

Physician
A general practitioner/physician or specialist who is employed by the group practice, but is not considered to be the chief of staff, senior physician, etc.

Physician Assistant
An allied health professional who provides health care services with the direction and supervision of an MD or DO, who is ultimately responsible for the decision making required to initiate and sustain therapy.

Physician Database
A comprehensive collection of physician data organized for convenient computer access. Data includes physician name, address, phone number, fax number, physician specialty and practice specialty, UPIN number, DEA number, license state, patient volume, medical group, health system and hospital affiliations.

Physician List
A customized list of physicians used for marketing to physicians; can be customized by physician specialty, practice specialty, geography, patient volume, prescription volume or other detailed information.

Physician Prescribing Data
Decile data of physician prescriptions used for pharmaceutical marketing to physicians. Physician prescribing data includes physician name, specialty, address, phone number, fax number, and prescription data by drug brand or class.

Physician Recruitment
Recruits and hires physicians to work at the hospital.

Planning/Development
See Fundraising/Foundation/Planning/Development.

Plant Engineering/Maintenance
Responsible for the repair and servicing of a hospital's physical plant including the hospital grounds, building, and equipment. Dispatches engineers to service the electrical units and machinery in the hospital.

President
See Chief Executive Officer.

Product Manager
Responsible for the overall production process either of a specific product within the department or the entire production area. Includes responsibility for compliance with regulatory and/or quality standards.

Professional Education Manager
Individual responsible for coordinating continuing education programs that provide current knowledge relevant to employee's field of practice.

Psych Partial Hospital Services
This person conducts and supervises the counseling programs for psychiatric patients that visit the hospital on an outpatient basis. The counseling or therapy programs sessions may include one or more patients at a time.

Psychiatry/Psychology Psychiatry
Heads the department of Psychiatry (medical study, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness). Psychology: Heads the department of Psychology (science of mental process and behavior).

Public/Community Relations
See Fundraising/Foundation/Planning/Development.

Purchasing Manager
Buys office equipment and other supplies, including instruments for the medical staff. Receives the products, and then distributes them to the proper departments.

Purchasing Manager
Individual responsible for the procurement of supplies and equipment.

Purchasing/Materials Management
The individual who is responsible for the procurement, storage, distribution, and disposal of equipment and supplies.