Patient Observer (PD)

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $15.00 - $21.16. The final offer may vary within this range based on a candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

Schedule

• Monday through Friday, Weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
• Scheduled Hours vary
• Day Shift, 8 Hours

This position may have a signing bonus available; eligibility will be confirmed during the interview process.

About the Role

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver—regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence, and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts. We are more than 20,000 employees working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community, and each other.

The Patient Safety Observer is responsible for providing continuous safety observation of assigned patients. The primary function is to ensure patient safety and comfort. As part of the care team, the Patient Observer may support patients with activities of daily living, including ambulating, feeding, and repositioning as directed by nursing. The Patient Safety Observer may engage with patients using casual conversation, sensory tools, cards, coloring books, or games. All care must be documented and communicated through report with designated staff. Any issues or concerns must be reported immediately to the licensed clinical charge person.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain good human relations skills.
• Introduce self by name to the patient and engage in eye contact.
• Consistently display a respectful, empathetic, and caring attitude toward patients and their family members.
• Observe for suicidal and/or violent behavior.
• Stay in close proximity to the patient and keep them in the visual field at all times, including while in the bathroom and during transport to other departments.
• Monitor visitors to ensure no unsafe materials (weapons, illicit drugs, sharps) are shared with the patient.
• Maintain 15-minute checks with documentation unless otherwise directed.
• Monitor more than one patient if deemed appropriate by the licensed staff in charge.
• Follow the directions of the nurse in charge.
• Transport patients if directed by licensed staff.
• Assist with ancillary activities (e.g., making beds in the ED, stocking, transporting patients) when not observing a patient.
• Function in a float position and assign to areas with patient needs.
• Maintain patient dignity at all times and advocate for the patient.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• CPR Certification within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous position held in a healthcare setting.

Unless certification, licensure, or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility may be substituted.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities:

• Stand: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Walk: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Sit: 2/3 of the time
• Talk or hear: 2/3 of the time
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel: 2/3 of the time
• Push/pull: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Reach with hands and arms: 2/3 of the time

This job requires lifting or exerting force as follows:

• Up to 10 pounds: 2/3 of the time
• Up to 25 pounds: 2/3 of the time
• Up to 50 pounds: 2/3 of the time
• Up to 100 pounds: 2/3 of the time
• More than 100 pounds: 2/3 of the time

This job requires exposure to the following environmental conditions:

• Wet, humid conditions (non-weather): 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Work near moving mechanical parts: 2/3 of the time
• Risk of radiation: Up to 1/3 of the time
• Infectious Diseases: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Physical and/or verbal abusiveness: 2/3 of the time
• Rotating Shifts: Up to 1/3 of the time
• PPE when indicated: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time