Patient Safety Assistant - Nursing Float Pool - Evening/Night

About the role

This role serves to protect our patients who are impulsive and at risk for falls, at risk for pulling out IV lines/tubes, require behavioral management and/or present a risk due to psychiatric illnesses.

Responsibilities

• Maintains patient safety by preventing falls and injury due to impulsiveness.
• Maintains Behavioral Health patient safety.
• Provides one on one observation for patients who are high risk elopement patients, patients that require behavioral management, suicidal patients or any other patient requiring one on one observation.
• Accompanies patient during transport and escorts patients as required.
• Obtains verbal report from the patient’s nurse to include information regarding the patient’s identified care needs to work collaboratively with the care team.
• Applies principles of caring and healing in interactions with patients and families and with colleagues.
• Provides for patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction by maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Provides simple assistance such as ambulation, simple toileting, repositioning, and assistance with feeding/fluids.
• Sustains patient environment in a safe and orderly manner.
• Constant, direct visualization of patient is required throughout assignment.
• The sitter should be positioned to respond to quickly to the patient’s needs and safety.
• Must be present and mindful of the patient and environment at all times.
• Observant of the patient’s activity and behavior, defuses situations and communicates on a regular basis to the nurse.
• Reports any pertinent observations to the RN.
• Engages patient in therapeutic communications and activities to distract, occupy and develop a therapeutic rapport.
• Participates in the provision of diversional activities such as playing cards, board games, therapeutic communication, etc.
• Communicates in a professional manner and demonstrates respect for patient, families/significant other and members of the healthcare team.
• Offers support and feedback to peers and staff.
• Responds promptly and appropriately to crisis or emergency.
• Utilizes principles of Milieu and Behavior Management Training (MBMT) in managing high risk situations.
• Documents required information in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• May be assigned to observe patients who are in isolation and will be required to don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) according to WellSpan policy.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Required Work Experience: No prior experience required
• Required Licenses: Basic Life Support upon hire
• Required Courses and Training:
  • Behavioral Health Training Packet (LMS) upon hire
  • Sitter guidelines for safety 1:1 (LMS) upon hire
  • High Risk Observation (LMS) upon hire
  • Patient care assistant/sitter Epic training. Upon hire
  • De-escalation class (8-hour class) upon hire
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Good customer service skills.
  • Excellent communication skills and de-escalation skills.