Patent Safety Attendant Emergency Department

About the role

The Patient Safety Attendant (PSA) participates in high-quality, patient-centered care by providing continuous observation and monitoring for high-risk patients. Working in the Emergency Department at Platte Valley Hospital in Brighton, Colorado, the PSA collaborates with the patient care team to ensure a safe environment, minimize fall and self‑harm risks, and assist with basic activities of daily living. The position is part‑time night shift (24 scheduled weekly hours) with some weekend and holiday requirements, and includes shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Maintain continuous line of sight of the patient at all times, including during bathroom use.
• Observe the patient while eating and drinking and assist as needed.
• Ensure the cleanliness and safety of the patient’s room.
• Accompany the patient to tests or procedures, remaining with them unless instructed otherwise; if asked to leave, wait outside and return promptly.
• Identify and promptly report any changes or concerns in the patient's status to the assigned nurse.
• Report patient information and activities during hand‑off with nursing present.
• Report any expression of ideas or intention to hurt self/others or desire to leave the facility Against Medical Advice (AMA) to the assigned nurse.
• Communicate with team members to ensure the patient is not left alone.
• Listen attentively if the patient wishes to converse and encourage them to share concerns with the physician or assigned nurse; avoid giving advice.
• Follow all Infection Control policies.
• Complete the Environmental Safety Checklist each shift and during hand‑off, ensuring ligature risks are mitigated in coordination with the primary nurse.
• Consult with the nurse partner if the patient needs to be mobilized.
• For patients with suicidal ideation: remain with the patient at all times, even if family or visitors are present; provide constant one‑on‑one visual observation.
• Ensure the environment has limited risk factors by removing all linen immediately after use and ensuring no extra linens are in the room.
• Ensure the patient is in a gown with no strings; remove all patient clothing, shoes, jewelry, and belongings from the room, preferably sending them home with family.
• Secure any valuables not taken by the family.
• Do not allow visitors to give any items to the patient or bring large bags into the room; consult nursing if visitors refuse.
• Only allow electric razors; remove any unnecessary electrical cords; ensure only plastic utensils are used for meals.
• Observe closely during meals and remove utensils immediately after use.
• Ensure all plastic trash and linen bags are removed from the room.
• Ensure windows are not opened and all sharps containers are removed.
• Remove all gloves and glove boxes.
• Ensure there are no supplies, equipment, or other devices that are sharp, metal, or plastic and could be used as ligatures or ligature‑support devices.

Requirements

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS‑HCP) certification upon hire or obtained within 60 days of hire with prior approval.

Qualifications

• One (1)+ year of experience working in a hospital setting (preferred).
• Workplace Violence Prevention Training (preferred).

Skills

• Patient Care
• Patient Safety
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
• Organization
• Health Care

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Education Assistance
• Other benefits as part of a generous package (wellness programs)

Pay

$19.29 - $23.92 per hour (actual rate dependent on experience).

Schedule

• Part‑time night shift
• Some weekend and holiday requirements
• Shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends
• Scheduled weekly hours: 24