ED Observation Assistant, Pediatric Emergency Department, 24 Hours, Eves

UMass Memorial Health; Worcester, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Memorial Health is seeking an Observation Assistant to provide constant observation and safety checks for high‑risk patients under RN supervision. You will help with patient comfort, de‑escalation techniques, and adherence to safety policies in a fast-paced hospital setting.

Responsibilities include assisting with patient movements, monitoring for aggression, and reporting changes to staff. Prior de‑escalation training and BLS certification are required.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, write, and speak English effectively; good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful or emergency situations.
• Ability to assist in physical restraint of disturbed patients as directed.

Responsibilities

• Provide constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the RN.
• Assist patients with undressing and remove items posing safety risk.
• Monitor patient safety and conduct safety checks at required intervals.
• Escort and supervise patients in bathrooms and assist with meals as needed.
• Use de-escalation techniques and, if required, participate in restraints under supervision.

Skills

Communication

Calm under pressure

Restraint assistance

Education

High School diploma

Job description

Assists with ensuring the safety of specific patients. Providing constant observation or scheduled safety checks for those patients who have been determined to be at risk for potential injury to self or others. Performs other support duties as described below.I. Major Responsibilities: 1. Provides constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the designated Registered Nurse (RN). 2. Assists the patient to get undressed, removes items that may pose safety risk, and secures personal belongings according to unit policy. 3. Monitors the patient’s and conducts patient safety checks at required intervals for an assigned group of patients. 4. 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. 5. Attempts to prevent unsafe patient movement and actions and intervenes appropriately within scope. 6. Notifies the nurse of changes in patient activity, mood, behavior, requests for medication and calls for assistance when necessary. 7. Reinforces safety precautions and fall prevention attempts to redirect patient’s attention from equipment, and emergently prevents patients from dislodging equipment. 8. 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. 9. Receives report on each assigned patient from RN at the beginning of each shift. 10. Continuously monitors patients and reports any potentially unsafe behaviors, or patients that appear to be escalating to the assigned nurse throughout the shift. 11. Reports concern to RN if patient’s family or visitors are contributing to escalating behavior. 12. 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. 13. Constantly checks for and remedies potentially hazardous situations such as improperly open or unsecured equipment, doors, and windows. 14. Reports any potentially unsafe environmental issues that cannot be remedied to the assigned RN throughout the shift. 15. Follows the Policy & Procedure(s) related to Constant Observation and patient safety. 16. Accompanies the patient for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures as directed by the RN or provider. 17. Documents patient behavior and safety checks at required intervals and ensures documentation is placed in the patients chart.. 18. Provides thorough handoff communication to the on-coming Observation Assistant. 19. Performs a variety of duties to support patient care and the operations of the department. 20. Engages patients in therapeutic or calming activities as directed by nursing staff. 21. Maintains work area in neat and orderly manner. Stocks carts & supplies. Transports patient or equipment. 22. Answers telephones, takes messages, and completes light clerical duties such as filing as assigned. 23. 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: 1. Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives. 2. Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed. 3. Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations. 4. Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements. 5. Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors. 6. Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance. 7. Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.All responsibilities are essential job functions.II. Position Qualifications: License/Certification/Education: Required: 1. High School Graduate or equivalent. 2. Must be able to complete de-escalation training. 3. Current Basic Life Support or Heart Saver certification. Experience/Skills: Required: 1. Communication Skills: Ability to read, write, speak effectively in English and have good interpersonal skills, required. 2. Demonstrates the ability to remain calm when under stress or in emergency situations. 3. Must be able to assist in the physical restraint of disturbed patients. Preferred: 1. Previous experience in patient care, mental health/intellectual disabilities, teaching/child care/special needs students or public safety preferred.Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.III. Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions: Position requires work indoors in a patient care environment. Work requires continuous visual inspection and auditory monitoring of patient movements and activities. Work requires frequent rapid physical response to unsafe patient movements; this includes standing, walking, running, reaching, bending, lifting and stooping.