ED Observation Assistant, Pediatric Emergency Department, 32 Hours 7a-3p, Days

Major Responsibilities

• Provides constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the designated Registered Nurse (RN).
• Absorbs the patient to get undressed, removes items that may pose safety risk, and secures personal belongings according to unit policy.
• Makes patient safety checks at required intervals for an assigned group of patients.
• Escorts and supervises patients in the bathroom depending on level of care, under the direction of the RN, assists patients with meals and comforts and de-escalates patients by using sensory techniques and distraction techniques as needed.
• Attempts to prevent unsafe patient movement and actions and intervenes appropriately within scope.
• Notifies the nurse of changes in patient activity, mood, behavior, requests for medication and calls for assistance when necessary.
• Reinforces safety precautions and fall prevention attempts to redirect patient’s attention from equipment, and emergently prevents patients from dislodging equipment.
• Utilizes de-escalation techniques to redirect the patients and if unsuccessful, under the direction of the RN or MD participates in restraints in accordance with training, policy, and education.
• Receives report on each assigned patient from RN at the beginning of each shift.
• Continuously monitors patients and reports any potentially unsafe behaviors, or patients that appear to be escalating to the assigned nurse throughout the shift.
• Reports concern to RN if patient’s family or visitors are contributing to escalating behavior.
• Performs environmental safety check of patient and patient's room and removes potentially harmful items at the beginning of each shift and between discharges from rooms.
• Constantly checks for and remedies potentially hazardous situations such as improperly open or unsecured equipment, doors, and windows.
• Reports any potentially unsafe environmental issues that cannot be remedied to the assigned RN throughout the shift.
• Fulfills other support duties as described below.

Position Qualifications

• Licenses/Certifications/Educations Required: High School Graduate or equivalent. Must be able to complete de-escalation training. Current Basic Life Support or Heart Saver certification.
• Experience/Skills Required: Communication Skills: Ability to read, write, speak effectively in English and have good interpersonal skills, required. Demonstrates the ability to remain calm when under stress or in emergency situations. Must be able to assist in the physical restraint of disturbed patients.
• Preferred: Previous experience in patient care, mental health/intellectual disabilities, teaching/child care/special needs students or public safety preferred.

Physical Demands And Environmental Conditions

• Position requires work indoors in a patient care environment.
• Work requires continuous visual inspection and auditory monitoring of patient movements and activities.
• Work requires frequent rapid physical response to unsafe patient movements; this includes standing, walking, running, reaching, bending, lifting and stooping.