Patient Safety Technician - Full Time - Days

About the role

The Patient Safety Technician sits at the bedside of patients who require continual direct observation to ensure their safety from falls and/or risk of injury to self or others. Remains with the patient at all times ensuring patient safety. Provides supportive and appropriate diversional activities for the patient at the direction of the RN responsible for the patient. Provides timely notification to clinical staff of patient behavior that may lead to unintended elopement, fall, or harm to themselves or others. May also be assigned as hospital transport orderly.

Responsibilities

• Provides constant observation of the patient and timely notification to the RN of patient behavior that may lead to unintended elopement, fall, or harm to themselves or others.
• Immediately reports to the RN any change(s) in physical condition from the initial report.
• Receives report from the Registered Nurse as well as the previous PST assigned to the patient.
• Remains with the patient during the entire shift until scheduled relief arrives.
• Accompanies the patient to the restroom and off floor for scheduled appointments, tests, and procedures.
• Provides companionship to the patient and participates in activities such as reading to the patient, conversing, and playing cards.
• Assists the patient with contacting hospital staff, television channel selections, letter writing, etc.
• Maintains core customer service skills and communication when challenged by agitated, delusional, or confused patients.
• Submits necessary documentation (i.e., report sheets, room checks, etc.) to designated location/person, after signature by the responsible RN per unit process.
• Assists the RN in keeping rooms and patient belongings free of objects that could potentially be harmful to the patient or others.
• Demonstrates understanding and proficiency of the use of patient monitoring software programs.
• Demonstrates safe work practice; follows safety rules, works to prevent unsafe conditions and behaviors, and participates in organizational and department safety programs.
• May assist guest relations staff with greeting, screening, and escorting patients and visitors to and from their destination.
• Responds to the needs of the department and organization by performing other duties, as necessary.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work independently and make sound judgements during stressful circumstances.
• Must be able to speak English, communicate clearly orally, and in writing; understand and use de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and visitors.
• Ability to communicate with hospital staff and respond quickly to patient changes.
• Ability to use discretion and courtesy when working with patients, visitors, and staff.
• Basic computer operation skills.
• Efficiency in multitasking.

Certifications/Licensure

• American Heart Association BLS CPR certification within 90 days of hire

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to manipulate, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus and color vision. The employee must frequently lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.

Working Conditions

Routine hospital/healthcare and office/administrative conditions. Contact with patients and guests under a wide variety of circumstances. Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases. Exposure to infections and contagious disease. Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids and waste. Subject to hazards of flammable and explosive gases. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, including the handling of emergency or crisis situations. Subject to pressure due to irregular hours, frequent interruptions and stressful situations due to multiple demands.