Patient Safety Associate - Supplemental Staffing/Float Pool - PRN

Provides 1:1 safety observation and basic direct patient care under the direction of the RN, including direct visual observation, verbal re-direction, safety checks, environment checks, care and comfort, recording of vital signs, personal care and hygiene, ADLs, and mobility/fall prevention. Serves as a liaison between patient and nurse to report concerns or changes, providing customer service to patients, families, and visitors. Documents patient care as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provides 1:1 safety observation for high-risk patients (e.g., suicidal, psychiatric, medical, surgical, dementia, delirium, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse withdrawal) to prevent potential harm.
• Uses appropriate verbal intervention and de-escalation techniques with patients; provides explanations of care without offering opinions or counseling.
• Maintains a safe and recovery-conducive environment, including safety checks, room checks for ligature points/contraband, keeping rooms clean, changing linens, and emptying bins.
• Delivers safe, direct care under RN or licensed practitioner direction, adjusting for age and medical complications to meet comfort, ADL, hygiene, mobility, and safety needs per VCUHS policies.
• Immediately reports any incidents posing harm or threat to patients to the supervising RN or licensed practitioner.
• Identifies and addresses personal learning needs; complies with clinical and administrative directives.
• Demonstrates effective communication with the healthcare team; resolves coworker issues promptly or escalates to supervision.
• Attends staff meetings or reviews minutes; participates in mandatory CA and unit-based QA/CQI activities.
• Documents patient care and clinical support activities per VCUHS policies, ensuring 100% completion for assigned patients and timely reporting of observations to the RN.
• Performs additional duties or special projects to support VCUHS’s mission; assists team members and accepts alternate assignments graciously.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED (required).
• Current AHA BLS Healthcare Provider (HCP) certification (required).

Qualifications

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Medical Assistant (MA) program (preferred).
• Current enrollment (or planned) in an accredited healthcare/humanities-related program (e.g., Nursing, Medical, PT/OT, Pharmacy, Health Administration, Psychology, Biology) (preferred).
• One year of experience as a CNA or MA (preferred).
• One year of experience in a healthcare-related field with direct patient care (preferred).