Glossary of Terms

C

Cardiology
The medical study of diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiovascular disorders.

Case Management
Case management is an individualized approach to obtaining the needed services for a patient by using a case manager to link the patient to direct service providers. It is particularly valuable approach to meeting the service need of the homebound elderly.

Catheterization Lab
Cardiac catheterization is the insertion of a catheter (flexible tube) through a blood vessel. This department may work closely with the biomedical laboratory within the hospital. Ensures quality and reliability of research being perfomed in the lab.

Central Supplies
Supervises the department that provides sterilization, storage, and distribution of sterile equipment and supplies. Also distributes trays and other sterile products to nursing units.

Chairman of the Board
Elected member of the community who is part of the board of directors.

Chemical/Substance Abuse
Manages the provision of medical care and/or rehabilitation to patients who are diagnosed as alcoholic or have other chemical dependencies.

Chief Executive Officer/President/Administrator
The individual responsible for the overall management of the facility and the final decision maker for the staff. His/her boss is the board of directors and thus, he/she carries out their goals. Negotiates contracts with HMO's (health maintenance organizations), PPO's (preferred provider organization), pharmacies, labs, etc. Assists in planning the budget.

Chief Financial Officer
The individual responsible for management of an organization's overall financial plans and policies and the administration of accounting practices. The job typically includes directing the treasury, budgeting, auditing, and tax accounting and purchasing real state.

Chief Information Officer
Works closely with the Director of Data Processing/MIS. Responsible for the programming and maintenance of the computer systems. Manages the processing of data and trains staff on the uses of computers.

Chief of Medical Staff/President
Presides as chairman over general medical staff meetings and executive meetings dealing with ethics, etc. Resolves issues of mutual concern to both medical staff and hospital administration. Enforces medical bylaws.

Chief Operating Officer/Senior Vice President/Assistant Administrator
The second highest management position in an institution. Person in charge of day to day internal operations such as resolving employee disputes and ensuring that the facility is operating according to scheduled deadlines and operative procedure.

Chief Pharmacist
Head or Director of the pharmacy. Usually does the ordering of supplies and drugs.

Chief Privacy Officer
Oversees all ongoing activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance of, and adherence to the organization's policies and procedures covering the privacy of, and access to, patient health information in compliance with federal and state laws and the healthcare organization's information privacy practices.

Chief Purchasing Officer
Purchases equipment and other supplies including those required by the medical staff. Receives and distributes product to their proper departments. Discard old items.

Chief Resident/Residency Program
A resident who has completed minimum training required in a specialty and assumes a leadership role in the supervision, design, and management of a residency program.

Clinical Coordinator - Pharmacist
Pharmacist in charge of the clinical pharmacy.

Clinical Pharmacist
A Clinical Pharmacist is a staff pharmacist - more frequently a Pharm D. (Pharmacist with a Doctorate Degree). They monitor drug reactions within patients (multi-disciplines; illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, and aids).

Consulting Pharmacist
Consulting/Contracted Pharmacist usually works at another pharmacy but may work exclusively at a nursing home, hospital, or clinic.

Controller/Accountant
Maintains a record of hospital expenses and profits. Responsible for general accounting, reimbursements, budgeting, accounts payable and receivable.

Corporate Advertising Manager
Responsible for special events and promotions, radio and television advertising, new store openings, sweepstakes promotions, etc.

Customer Service Manager
Responsible for maintaining goodwill between an organization and its customers by answering questions, solving problems, and providing advice or assistance in utilizing goods or services of the organization.