ED Observation Assistant, 24 Hours, Days

UMass Memorial Medical Group; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Job summary

UMass Memorial Health is seeking an Observation Assistant to provide constant observation for high-risk patients in the Emergency Room setting. Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, you will help prevent safety risks, support patient comfort, and assist with activities of daily living.

The role requires strict adherence to safety protocols, effective communication with the care team, and participation in de-escalation and restraint procedures when necessary.

Qualifications

• Observation and safety awareness in clinical settings
• Ability to follow nurse instructions and hospital policies
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Responsibilities

• Provides constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the RN.
• Monitors patient safety and performs required checks.
• Escorts and assists patients with activities as directed by nursing staff.
• Documents patient behavior and safety checks in the chart.
• Supports environmental safety checks and supplies management.

Job description

Compensation and Work Hours

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $18.20 - $24.45 (based on a full time schedule of 40 hours per week).

Please note that the final offer will vary based on scheduled hours. Compensation for part-time or reduced schedules will be prorated based on scheduled weekly hours, experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

Schedule Details: Holidays - Every Other Holiday, Weekends - Every Other Weekend

Scheduled Hours: 7a-3p

Shift: 1 - Day Shift, 8 Hours (United States of America)

Hours: 24

Cost Center: 10020 - 2340 Emergency Room

Union: SHARE (State Healthcare and Research Employees)

This position may have a signing bonus available a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.

Who We Are

Everyone Is a Caregiver

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver - regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

Major Responsibilities

• Provides constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the designated Registered Nurse (RN).
• Assists the patient to get undressed, removes items that may pose safety risk, and secures personal belongings according to unit policy.
• Monitors the patient's and conducts patient safety checks at required intervals for an assigned group of patients.
• Escorts and supervises patients in the bathroom depending on level of care, under the direction of the RN, assists patients with meals and comforts and de-escalates patients by using sensory techniques and distraction techniques as needed.
• Attempts to prevent unsafe patient movement and actions and intervenes appropriately within scope.
• Notifies the nurse of changes in patient activity, mood, behavior, requests for medication and calls for assistance when necessary.
• Reinforces safety precautions and fall prevention attempts to redirect patient's attention from equipment, and emergently prevents patients from dislodging equipment.
• Utilizes de-escalation techniques to redirect the patients and if unsuccessful, under the direction of the RN or MD participates in restraints in accordance with training, policy, and education.
• Receives report on each assigned patient from RN at the beginning of each shift.
• Continuously monitors patients and reports any potentially unsafe behaviors, or patients that appear to be escalating to the assigned nurse throughout the shift.
• Reports concern to RN if patient's family or visitors are contributing to escalating behavior.
• Performs environmental safety check of patient and patient's room and removes potentially harmful items at the beginning of each shift and between discharges from rooms.
• Constantly checks for and remedies potentially hazardous situations such as improperly open or unsecured equipment, doors, and windows.
• Reports any potentially unsafe environmental issues that cannot be remedied to the assigned RN throughout the shift.
• Follows the Policy & Procedure(s) related to Constant Observation and patient safety.
• Accompanies the patient for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures as directed by the RN or provider.
• Documents patient behavior and safety checks at required intervals and ensures documentation is placed in the patients chart.
• Provides thorough handoff communication to the on-coming Observation Assistant.
• Performs a variety of duties to support patient care and the operations of the department.
• Engages patients in therapeutic or calming activities as directed by nursing staff.
• Maintains work area in neat and orderly manner. Stocks carts & supplies. Transports patient or equipment.
• Answers telephones, takes messages, and completes light clerical duties such as filing as assigned.
• Follows department/hospital policy and procedure on Infection Control, Fire Safety, etc., including training programs (including de-escalation and restraint training) and demonstrates competency and proficiency as required.

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities

• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
• Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
• Complies with