Module 4 - The hospital team

MEDICAL PROFESSIONS and describing

A paediatrician (UK)/ pediatrician (US): treats children.
A cardiologist: specializes in heart illnesses & blood vessels.
A porter / orderly (US): moves patients and equipment.
A radiologist: a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries using radiology such as
x-ray.
A scrub nurse: assists surgeons in the operating room.
A pharmacist: prepares medicine.
A paramedic/emergency medical technician (EMT): responds to emergencies and gives first aid.
A surgeon: performs operations/surgery.
A lab technician: analyses samples and tissues under a microscope.
A medical admission/admitting clerk: helps patients check in to the hospital and files medical information.
An anaesthetist (UK)/anaesthesiologist (US): gives anaesthesics to patients.
A consultant (UK): is a hospital doctor of the highest rank who is a specialist in a particular area of
medicine; specialist US.
A sister: is a senior female nurse (OR a charge nurse- male nurse) who is in charge of a medical ward.
A nurse aid (US)/ nursing auxiliary (UK): assists and looks after patients and is supervised by a nurse.
A general practitioner (UK)/ primary care physician (US): a doctor who is trained in general medicine
and who treats /examines patients in a local community rather than at a hospital.
A physical therapist/ physiotherapist: helps patients reduce pain and improves or restore mobility.
A receptionist: makes appointments & deals with the public.
A gynaecologist/ gynecologist: treats the medical conditions and diseases of women, especially those
connected with sexual reproduction.
An obstetrician: A medical doctor who treats pregnant women and delivers babies.
An X-ray technician/ radiologic technologist: a technician who performs diagnostic imaging procedures
E.G. MRI, CT, X rays…
A midwife: a nurse treats pregnant women and delivers babies.
Cleaner: cleans the common areas.
Triage nurse
a bedpan
Be admitted to hospital. to draw the curtains
Be discharged from hospital. inpatient vs. outpatient
EXPRESSION FOR
DESCRIBING RESPONSIBILITIES
Carry out: realizar, llevar a cabo
Deal with: tartar con
Give treatment to: dar tratamiento para
Look after: preocuparse, cuidar
Responsible for: responsable de
Specialise in: especializado en

PRESENT SIMPLE & CONTINUOUS

PRESENT SIMPLE

Routines/habits – I deal with patients…/I play tennis.

States – I love my job/It’s so rewarding.
Facts or things that are generally true – studying physiotherapy is difficult.
Timetabled action – the train leaves at 9

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Things that are happening at the time of speaking

Things that are happening around the time of speaking (these days) – I’m helping…/He’s progressing…
A change that is starting to happen (a progression)– my speaking is getting much better
Refers to a future arrangement – I’m moving to Madrid.

TIME EXPRESSIONS

USED WITH PRESENT SIMPLE USED WITH PRESENT

CONTINUOUS

• Every day/week/month/year • Right now

• Sometimes • At the moment

• Often • Currently

• Usually • This week/month/year

• Rarely • Today

• Always

• Never

• On Mondays

• Currently