Safety Sitter - Emergency Department

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

About the Role

The Safety Sitter role will primarily function as a constant monitor for patients requiring continuous observation. The safety sitter's responsibility is to observe and report behaviors that may interrupt medically necessary therapies and/or perceived changes in the patient's condition to appropriate health care team members. The safety sitter will function under the direction of the registered nurse assigned to the patient they are monitoring or a designee, such as the clinical supervisor on duty.

The safety sitter is focused on promoting a positive patient experience by partnering with the patient, family, and other care providers to provide excellence in customer service and assistance with daily living activities and comfort measures as needed for patient observation. The safety sitter may assist other health care providers with safe, age-appropriate, and culturally competent care by performing basic patient care functions (e.g., ADLs, ambulation, and toileting).

The safety sitter must be able to work in a fast-paced environment which requires observation and ongoing communication with a registered nurse and interdisciplinary team. Must be able to perform under stressful conditions with a compassionate, respectful, and helpful manner. Must be able to take direction.

Responsibilities

• Continuous Observation
  • Notify RN/Charge RN/CCP of potential or recent changes in the patient's behavioral risk factors or mental status as observed.
  • Document patient status every 15 minutes for patients under observation for involuntary behavioral health and every hour for medical safety sitting.
  • Evaluate secure environment for safety each shift.
  • Document interventions as needed.
  • Always ensure direct visibility observation of the patient.
• Telesitter Facility Liaison
  • Track, deliver, maintain, and retrieve telesitter carts.
  • Troubleshoot any cart connectivity issues and place an IT ticket if necessary.
  • Perform safe room guideline checks upon initiation and upon every hand-off thereafter.
  • Perform environmental rounds to ensure safe room guidelines are being maintained.
  • Respond to remote telesitter escalation for face-to-face intervention.
  • Notify Nurse and/or Charge Nurse when face-to-face redirection is required.
• Care Team Collaboration
  • Support initiatives of the interdisciplinary care team.
  • Practice accountability for patient safety.
  • Patient Transport: Proper verification of patient identification and notification of RN upon leaving or returning to the room when not needed for patient observation.
  • Assist EVS and Food Services when not needed for patient observation.
• Patient-Centered Care
  • Support an environment of healing or wellness for patients, addressing patient needs in partnership with the patient.
  • Engage the patient and family in compliance with the treatment plan.
  • Effectively contribute to the plan of care or treatment intervention based on assigned tasks and patient/family input in collaboration with the healthcare team.
  • Consistently implement safety interventions to minimize risk in achieving intended outcomes.
  • Provide basic patient care needs (e.g., hygiene, nutrition, elimination, physical comfort measures) as assigned.
  • Assist RN and other members of the healthcare team with care delivery as assigned.
  • Notify nurse when physician/interdisciplinary care team members arrive in the observed patient's room.
• Safe Space and Infection Control
  • Provide a safe environment for the provision of patient care.
  • Consistent use of appropriate hand hygiene.
  • Keep patient rooms and unit areas clean and free of clutter.
  • Follow appropriate PPE/Infection control policies.
  • Reinforce the importance of universal precautions with the patient and patient's family.
  • Utilize proper body mechanics and lift equipment.
  • Perform environment of care rounds.
• Communication
  • Use effective written and oral communication skills with patients, staff, physicians, family, and visitors.
  • Use safety communication techniques.
  • Communicate completion of assignment/duties to the appropriate person.
  • Communicate patient care concerns/problems/emergencies to the RN.
  • Use positive and respectful communication with all members of the healthcare team, patients, and families.
  • Communicate with the patient and update whiteboards with information as requested.

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Must attend and successfully complete the Wellstar training and Initial Competency Assessment within the first 30 days of employment.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (required upon hire unless otherwise stated).
• Graduate from a CNA/CMA Program or completion of the first semester of nursing clinicals including nursing fundamentals (preferred upon hire).
• Previous healthcare experience is preferred.

Skills

• Ability to read, write, and speak the English language.
• Ability to hear and see alarms and digital readouts.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate with other healthcare providers in the provision of patient care.
• Ability to function in stressful and emergency situations.

Schedule

Full-Time/Day Shift (7 am - 7 pm).