Medical-Patient Safety Sitter-PRN

JOB SUMMARY:
The Safety Sitter is responsible for providing a safe environment for patients who are on  one-to-one supervision for Safety or Suicide Precautions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:
High School diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
 
Initial Training and Yearly Competency:

•  General Hospital Orientation
• Service Excellence Initiative Training
• Handle with Care Behavior Management Training
• CPR Certification
• Vital Signs Assessment Competency

Job Knowledge:

• Understands the importance of close observation of a patient to create an environment  that is  clean, safe, and conducive to the patient’s comfort and healing. 
• Has knowledge  of hospital  and unit policy/procedure. 
• Familiar with safety and infection control for  patients, self, and  visitors. 
• Able to care for patients from teen age years on up to 90+ at 100% competency.

Responsibility For:

 Essential Functions:

•  Safety  Sitters observe (direct) the patient and maintain a safe environment.
• Sitters sit in the patient’s room with an unobstructed view of the patient.
• Sitter accompanies patient for any clinical tests off the unit.
• Provides support to the patient care team (RNs, LPNs, NAs).
• Documents observation on appropriate form.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports immediate patient needs, changes to RN on unit.
• Sitters assigned the full shift will serve as a float staff member on the Medical-Surgical    Unit responsible for basic patient care including vital signs if their services as a sitter are not required.

Physical Demands:
Able to lift 50 pounds or more in moving, lifting patients, or equipment.  Standing and sitting  most of the time on duty.  Assist with combative patients in a “Code 10” situation.  Visual and  auditory acuity.  Good communication skills with clear understandable verbalization.   Capable of working under high levels of stress.

Special Demands:
Ability to de-escalate patients that are agitated.  Shows competencies in “Handle with Care”  program (de-escalation) and stays certified annually.  Projects a positive public image of  professionalism to patients, family and staff.

Representative Functions                                                                             Percentage of Time

1. Provides direct patient care for safety, comfort, and well-being of patient.       95%

2. Performs tasks delegated by nurse in charge.                                                    5%
                                                                                                                            100%