Safety Sitter - PT Nights

About the Role

The Safety Sitter role primarily functions 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 healthcare 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 role may assist other healthcare providers with safe, age-appropriate, and culturally competent care by performing basic patient care functions such as activities of daily living (ADLs), ambulation, and toileting.

The safety sitter must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, requiring observation and ongoing communication with a registered nurse and interdisciplinary team. Must perform under stressful conditions with a compassionate, respectful, and helpful manner and 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 and secure the environment for safety each shift.
  • Document interventions as needed.
  • Always ensure direct visibility and 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent from an accredited program.
• Must attend and successfully complete the Wellstar training and Initial Competency Assessment within the first 30 days of employment.

Qualifications

• Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)
  • BLS - Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor (required upon hire unless otherwise stated).
  • Graduate from a CNA/CMA Program or completion of the first semester of nursing clinicals including nursing fundamentals (upon hire preferred).
• Required Minimum Experience
  • Previous healthcare experience preferred.
• Required Minimum 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 is essential.

Schedule

Night shift (United States of America).