Status: PRN - As Needed

Shift: 7A 12 HOUR SHIFTS

Exempt: No

Summary:
The Patient Safety Technician performs basic patient monitoring activities under the supervision of a licensed nurse. The Patient Safety Technician provides one-on-one observation of selected patients for the purpose of maintaining patient safety.

Other information:

Education:
High School or GED equivalent preferred.

Physical Demands:
Strength: Medium
Push: Occasionally
Pull: Occasionally
Carry: Occasionally
Lift: Occasionally
Sit: Constantly
Stand: Occasionally
Walk: Occasionally

Must be able to communicate verbally with patients, visitors, and co-workers.

Responsibilities:

Remains at bedside of assigned patient at all times unless relieved by an appropriate staff member.

Never leave the patient unattended for any reason.

Assists in calming and/or reorienting patient in cases of agitation or confusion.

Removes visible hazards and/or broken equipment from immediate environment and reports as appropriate.

Assists with keeping patient's room clean, safe and orderly.

Maintains visual observations at all times. Position yourself so that you have a constant view of the patient.

Accompanies patient when diagnostic testing is required.

Immediately summons the nursing staff if the patient requires assistance or other nursing interventions or exhibits unusual behavior or verbalizations.

Immediately reports any potentially dangerous behavior or concerning conversations to the nurse.

Participates in hand-off of pertinent information/behavior about assigned patient when arriving on unit and upon completion of shift assignment.

Arranges meal break times with nurse and informs nurse prior to leaving patient for any reason in order that relief is provided to ensure constant patient observation. Never leaves patient alone.

Assists patient with setting up of patient's meal trays, feeding patient, basic positioning of patient, taking a ride in wheelchair and/or ambulation if patient is stable and gait has been previously determined safe by assigned staff nurse. May assist the PCT or RN with ambulation if directed to by the RN.

Seeks help or advice as soon as possible when patient appears to pose a threat to themselves or others.

Notifies clinical staff of patient safety issues. Assures patient’s environment is safe.

Seeks assistance with removal of any potential safety hazard from room and reports findings to Charge Nurse.·

Engage patient with activity, if applicable (conversation, reading to patient, etc.)

If restraints are in use, do not release without assistance from the nursing staff.

If assisting a PEC or CEC patient :

o PEC patients should be placed in a designated safety gown.

o Patient belongings will be collected and sent to security.

o Visitors will not be allowed to bring any items in the room

.o Patients should only use plastic utensils.

ADDITIONAL for Patient Safety Technicians with appropriate training and demonstration of competency will also be able to:

o Provide continuous observation and surveillance of assigned patients

o Verbally direct patients through remote monitors and timely communication to the nursing staff about the patient’s behavior changes.

o Maintain patient confidentiality and adheres to hospital related polices.

o Demonstrate understanding and proficiency of the use of the AvaSys TeleSitter Solution software.

o Maintain visual observation at all times. Verbally redirect patient over digital 2-way audio device that is in patient room. Immediately summons the nursing staff if the patient requires assistance.

o Demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide the appropriate care to this patient population based on the patients individualized treatment plan as delegated by the RN.

o Participate in hand-off of pertinent information/behavior about assigned patients when arriving on unit and upon completion of shift assignment.

Arrange meal break times with the CN and staff from the assigned unit and informs nurse prior to leaving monitoring station for any reason so that relief may be provided to ensure constant patient observation.

o Provide patient with explanations as necessary, but does not counsel or provide opinions. Demonstrates behaviors that support patient experience initiatives.

o Seek help or advice as soon as possible when patient appears to pose a threat to themselves or others by reporting patient safety issues and patient environment concerns to the primary care nurse and/or charge nurse.

o Demonstrate safe work practices and attitudes, follow safety rules, work to prevent unsafe conditions and behaviors, and participate in organizational and department safety programs.