Patient Observer 24-hr evenings, Inpatient

ummh; Clinton (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Job summary

UMass Memorial Health is seeking a patient safety observer to support mental health care within our Central Massachusetts system. You will engage with patients respectfully, monitor for risk, and assist with safety procedures while collaborating with nursing staff.

The role emphasizes empathy, vigilance, and adherence to safety protocols, with a focus on protecting patients in dynamic clinical settings.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• CPR Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Healthcare experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains good human relations; introduce self by name and eye contact.
• Monitor for suicidal and/or violent behavior; keep patient in the visual field; ensure safety.
• Monitor visitors to prevent unsafe materials.
• Maintain 15-minute checks with documentation.
• Patient Safety Observers can monitor more than 1 patient if directed.
• Follow the directions of the nurse in charge.
• May transport patients as directed.
• Perform ancillary tasks when not observing (beds, stocking, transport help).
• Float position; assign to areas with patient needs.
• Maintain patient dignity and advocate.

Skills

CPR Certification within 6 months

Healthcare experience preferred

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $15.00 - $21.16 Please note that the final offer may vary within this range based on a candidate's experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations .

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

Scheduled Hours: 1500-2330

Shift: 2 - Evening Shift, 8 Hours (United States of America)

Hours: 24

Cost Center: 24070 - 0610 Psych Ip Geriatric

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

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.

I. Major Responsibilities:

1. Develops and maintains good human relations skills. Introduces self by name to the patient and engages in eye contact. Consistently displays a respectful, empathetic and caring attitude toward both the patients and their family members.
2. Consistently observes for suicidal and/or violent behavior. Stays in close proximity of the patient and keeps them in the visual field at all times. Ensures patient safety at all times including while in the bathroom and when transported to other departments.
3. Monitor visitors to ensure no unsafe materials are shared with the patient (weapons, illicit drugs, sharps).
4. Maintains 15-minute checks with documentation unless otherwise directed.
5. Patient Safety Observers can monitor more than 1 patient if deemed appropriate by the licensed staff in charge.
6. Follow the directions of the nurse in charge.
7. May transport patients if directed by the licensed staff in charge.
8. When not observing a patient the patient safety observer can be used for other ancillary activities as directed by the nursing supervisor (making beds in the ED, stocking, assisting with transporting patients).
9. Functions in a float position and is assigned to the areas with patient needs.
10. Maintains patient dignity at all times and advocates for the patient.

II. Position Qualifications:

• License/Certification/Education: Required:
• 1. High School diploma or equivalent.
• 2. CPR Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Experience/Skills: Preferred:
• 1. Previous position held in a healthcare setting 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:

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities:

1. Stand - 1/3 to 2/3
2. Walk - 1/3 to 2/3
3. Sit - 2/3
4. Talk or hear - 2/3
5. Uses hands to finger, handle or feel - 2/3
6. Push/pull - 1/3 to 2/3
7. Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl - 1/3 to 2/3
8. Reach with hands and arms - 2/3

This job requires that weight be lifted or force be exerted:

1. Up to 10 pounds - 2/3
2. Up to 25 pounds - 2/3
3. Up to 50 pounds - 2/3
4. Up to 100 pounds - 2/3
5. More than 100 pounds - 2/3

This job requires exposure to the following environmental conditions:

1. Wet, humid conditions (non-weather) - 1/3 to 2/3
2. Work near moving mechanical parts - 2/3
3. Risk of radiation - Up to 1/3
4. Infectious Diseases - 1/3 to 2/3
5. Physical +/or Verbal Abusiveness - 2/3
6. Rotating