PATIENT CARE SITTER (TR/PRN)

Riverside Heathcare; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee, IL is seeking a Patient Care Sitter to provide direct observation and support to patients requiring close monitoring. The role helps prevent falls and safety risks while assisting nursing staff and maintaining a calming environment.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or equivalent and strong communication skills, with healthcare experience preferred. This on-site position offers competitive pay and benefits as part of Riverside's total rewards.

Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare settings is preferred.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in high-stress situations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous, direct observation of at-risk patients to ensure safety.
• Document patient activity, behaviors, and interactions accurately.
• Follow hospital policies on infection control and patient safety.
• Assist with equipment setup, operation, and cleaning as directed by nursing staff.
• Engage with patients and families to promote comfort, trust, and well-being.
• Support a calm, collaborative environment and communicate with the care team.

Skills

Communication

Calm under pressure

Teamwork

Observant

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

The Patient Care Sitter provides direct observation and ensures the safety of patients who require continuous monitoring such as those experiencing behavioral health challenges or mental health crises. This role supports nursing staff by helping to prevent patient harm due to falls, wandering, or other safety risks, ensuring a secure and comfortable environment for patients. The sitter adheres to hospital protocols and communicates patient behaviors and needs to the care team promptly and helps create a calm, supportive atmosphere for recovery. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Provide continuous, direct observation of patients at risk for injury or harm, ensuring their safety at all times.
• Perform supportive/comfort functions with approval of nursing staff (i.e., light conversation, pushing call light, reposition covers/blankets, raising bed).
• Any changes in patients physical or mental behaviors would be reported to clinical staff.
• Follow hospital policies and procedures regarding patient safety, including fall prevention, infection control, and behavior management.
• Maintain a calm and supportive presence for patients, offering comfort and reassurance.
• Accurately document patient activity, behavior, and interactions as required.
• Infection Control: Adhere to infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and environmental cleaning.
• Equipment Handling: Assist with the setup, operation, and cleaning of medical equipment as directed by the nursing staff.
• Patient Experience: Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• Employee Experience: Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Offer constructive feedback and assistance to peers, and engage in open communication to promote a culture of mutual respect and teamwork.
• Team member will maintain annual education requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g. DNV CARF and or others)

Nonessential Job Duties

• Assist with light housekeeping tasks in patient rooms, such as straightening beds or removing clutter.
• Provide support to unit staff with other non-direct patient care tasks during downtime.
• Participate in hospital training and educational programs as required.

Responsibilities

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a healthcare or patient care environment preferred but not required.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in high-stress situations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams.

Preferred Licensure/Education

• High school diploma or equivalent

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes:

Compensation

• Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits - .5 to 1.0 FTE

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Benefits - .001 to .49 FTE:

• Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure:

• Chemicals: None
• Video Display Terminals: None
• Blood and Body Fluids: Overall, minimal risk of exposure to blood and body fluids.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient and staff. Ability to ask for help.
• Vision: Required to observe patients.
• Smell: Needed to identify changes in patient status.
• Hearing: Needed for patient and staff communication.
• Touch: NA

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

• Average Hours per Week: Varies
• Shift: Varies

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 75%
• Twist: 0%
• Stand: 15%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 8%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 0%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 0
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 0
• Reach above shoulders: 1%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 20 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 35 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements:

• Rarely a sitter may need to assist in rearranging items in a patient room.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 60
• Twist: 0
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 15
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 0
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 0
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 5
• Reach above shoulders: 5

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp 10 lbs. Normal weight:< 10# rarely.
• Pushing & pulling 10-50 lbs: rarely.
• Fine Manipulation: manipulation of call lights, TV controls.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control:

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 1-12
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards:

• Chemical -drugs/work with patients receiving chemotherapy-Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy direct radiation for radiology equipment; mechanical- use of Hoover lift bed scales, motorized wheelchairs, bathtub lift chair.
• Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.

Pay Range

USD $16.49 - USD $19.94 /Hr