Your Healthcare Team
At Harvard Vanguard, we employ a team approach to healthcare. This means you will have access to a wide array of physicians and other healthcare professionals – all dedicated to improving your health.
Each member of the clinical team provides important clinical and logistical support in meeting your healthcare needs using our up-to-date electronic medical record system. Your clinical team is composed of the following individuals:
- Primary Care Physician
- Practice Partner
- Nurse Practitioner / Physician’s Assistant
- Registered Nurse
- Medical Secretary
- Medical Assistant
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Pharmacy Technician
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Extended Clinical Team
Primary Care Physician (PCP)
Your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will make every effort to see you for appointments and acute care visits. If you have chronic medical problems, your PCP will establish a care plan with you and work with a nurse practitioner and other team members to carry out that plan. For complex medical problems, your PCP will coordinate visits for you with specialists. And if you are hospitalized, your PCP will communicate with hospital physicians to ensure a smooth transition into and out of the hospital. Overall, your PCP will educate, advise, and guide you in every aspect of your health.
At Harvard Vanguard, your PCP may have earned a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) medical degree. Whether a physician has an MD or DO degree, he or she has attended medical school, completed graduate medical programs (residency/internships) in their chosen specialty area and passed state licensing exams to practice as your doctor.
Practice Partner
Your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will make every effort to see you for regularly scheduled appointments and will work hard to see you for your acute health needs. If, however, your PCP is not able to see you, his/her Practice Partner may see you in your PCP’s absence. The Practice Partner always updates the PCP after seeing one of the PCP’s patients.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician’s Assistant (PA)
This individual can diagnose and treat many of the same acute and chronic medical conditions that your Primary Care Physician (PCP) addresses with you. He/she may see you in the clinic urgently if your PCP is unavailable. And he/she may also work closely with you in caring for chronic medical problems. The NP or PA works under the PCPs close supervision, and always informs the PCP of his/her treatment plan.
Registered Nurse (RN)
An RN can answer many questions you might have regarding your healthcare. If you call with an urgent medical question, the RN may also help direct you to the most appropriate person and place for your healthcare. The RN may teach you more about a new diagnosis or how best to use a new medication. And after visits with your Primary Care Physician (PCP), your physician may have the RN contact you to follow-up or to check in with you about how you are managing a chronic condition.
Medical Secretary
The Medical Secretary will direct your incoming phone call to the person who can help you most effectively. He/she will also schedule and, if needed, remind you of appointments and tests. If you would like to discuss a medical issue with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) by phone, please leave a message with his/her medical secretary. The PCP’s staff prioritizes messages, so urgent matters can be handled expediently.
Medical Assistant
A Medical Assistant will guide you through each office visit. He/she will direct you from the waiting room to the exam room, take your vital signs, and make certain you understand what to do after your appointment. Think of a Medical Assistant as your medical concierge.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
A LPN will administer office-based treatments, including injections, intravenous medications, and vaccinations. He/she may teach you how to use certain medications. Some routine blood pressure checks may be scheduled with a LPN as well.
Pharmacy Technician
A Pharmacy Technician will coordinate refill requests directly with your Primary Care Physician or his/her practice partners.
Clinical Pharmacist
The Clinical Pharmacist can play an integral role in managing your medications. Your Primary Care Physician (PCP) may refer you to him/her to teach you more about your medications and how to use them. The Clinical Pharmacist may provide suggestions to your PCP about your medications and may be able to help you obtain some medications at a lower cost.
Extended Clinical Team
While you make appointments to see your primary care doctor or your specialist within our practice sites, there may be times when it is necessary for you to receive care at a hospital.
Harvard Vanguard is affiliated with many hospitals in the greater Boston area. And in some hospitals we have dedicated hospitalists.