Patient Observer, Float Pool, Per Diem

UMass Memorial Health; Leominster (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus potential

Job summary

UMass Memorial Health is seeking a Patient Safety Observer to provide continuous safety observation for patients at risk, working under nursing staff supervision. The role emphasizes maintaining sight and contact with patients, documenting activities, and reporting unsafe conditions promptly.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, ability to stay alert for extended periods, and the capability to calmly de-escalate at-risk patients.

Qualifications

• Must be alert for extended periods.
• Ability to verbally calm patients and apply MOAB principles when needed.
• Must react quickly to sudden, stressful situations.
• Willingness to be on call and arrive at hospital within 30 minutes.

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous safety observation of assigned patients.
• Maintain uninterrupted line of sight to patients.
• Document and report all activities to nursing staff per policy.
• Communicate changes to nursing staff and document in medical records.
• Adhere to hospital policies; participate in required trainings.

Skills

Alertness

Calm under pressure

Quick reaction

Ability to take call

Policy compliance

English proficiency

Spanish knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Counseling coursework (preferred)

Job description

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $15.00 - $21.74

(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 - One Major Summer Holiday, Holidays - One Major Winter Holiday, Sunday through Saturday

Scheduled Hours: Mixed shifts-8 hours

Shift: 4 - Mixed Shift, 8 Hours (United States of America)

Hours: 0

Cost Center: 24050 - 0150 NSG Float Pool

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.

The Patient Safety Observer is responsible to provide continuous safety observation of patients to which they are assigned. The primary function in this role is to ensure patient safety and comfort. As part of the care team the Patient Observer may be asked to participate in supporting the patients with their activities of daily living, including, but not limited to, ambulating, feeding, and repositioning of patients as directed by nursing. The Patient Safety Observer may engage with the patients if appropriate and can use casual talk, sensory box including cards, coloring books, games. All care is to be documented and communicated through report with the designated staff member. All issues/concerns are to be reported immediately to the licensed clinical charge person.

Position Summary

This position works under the direction of the Nursing Staff by providing direct observation of one or more patients who have been assessed as a safety risk to themselves or others and require constant observation. The observation and care activities are individualized for each patient at the direction the medical/nursing staff. Uses the ability to react quickly and notifies nursing staff of unsafe, changing or unusual conditions. This position is an important component of the continuum of care as it is provided to maintain the safety and protect the well-being of patients at-risk for injury to self or others.

Major Responsibilities

• Observes one or more assigned patients for harmful, dangerous, or violent behaviors.
• Communicates with nursing staff to understand patient parameters before and during each assignment.
• Notifies nursing staff of changing or unusual conditions.
• Reports any and all activity or conditions outside of established parameters to the Nurse Manager, Registered Nurse, or Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Maintains an uninterrupted line of sight with the patient(s).
• Appropriately communicates information in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.
• Completes all documentation as required.
• Interacts and copes effectively with diverse populations in sudden, stressful situations resulting from trauma, and physical and mental illness.
• Remains alert and mentally engaged for extended periods of time.
• Uses verbal intervention to calm patient, diffuse aggressive behavior, or prevent escalation of conflict.
• Notifies appropriate nursing staff of patient needs if patient is unable to do so.
• Initiates, completes, and maintains medical records, department logs, unit/shift task lists and other documentation as required.
• Performs skills and procedures specific to the role proficiently in accordance with departmental competencies and procedures.
• Makes fiscally responsible actions with patient care needs, supplies and equipment.
• Responds appropriately and immediately in emergency situations.
• Complies with all department and hospital policies and procedures.
• Participates in and completes all appropriate Hospital and department specific training requirements.

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities

• Meets established productivity standards.
• Facilitates and promotes the sharing of knowledge and content throughout departments.
• Takes responsibility for ensuring that all work outcomes satisfy the UMass Memorial Health System True North.
• The individual must support the mission, vision, and goals of HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital and serve as a role model for CARES values.
• Adheres to change control processes.
• Participates in cross training to optimize department resources.
• Demonstrates excellent attendance and actively participates in a variety of meetings and training sessions as required.
• Demonstrates a friendly, responsive, service-minded attitude to all internal and external customers.
• Communicates ideas effectively. Shares information and keeps others properly informed. Gives, and is open to useful feedback.
• Adheres to the HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital Code of Conduct and Behavior Standards and dress code.
• Complies with established environment of care/safety policies and procedures and all health and safety requirements.
• Maintains and fosters an organized, clean and safe work environment.
• Contributes to the development and application of process improvements.
• Maintains a collaborative, team relationship with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the group's achievement of goals and to help foster a positive work environment.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service programs as required or directed. Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards and/or books, bulletin boards, posted notices and reads and responds to e mails on a regular basis.
• Practices cost containment and fiscal responsibility through the efficient use of supplies, equipment, time, etc.
• 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 all health and safety regulations and requirements.
• Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standard of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
• Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

All responsibilities are essential job functions.

Position Qualifications

License/Certification/Education

• Required: 1. High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred: 1. Coursework in counseling, psychology, or similar topics

Experience/Skills

• Required: Ability to remain alert for extended periods of time.
• Required: Ability to verbally calm patients and to learn and apply Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) principles when speaking with agitated or aggressive patients.
• Required: Ability to react quicklyto sudden, stressful situations while maintaining a calm composure.
• Required: Ability to take call and arrive at hospital within 30 minutes or less with short notice.
• Required: Ability to follow all policies and procedures.
• Required: Ability to read, write, and speak English clearly.
• Preferred: Previous CNA, nurse aide/patient care experience and/or 1 year of prior experience as a mental health counselor, law enforcement officer, or in a mental/behavioral health role.
• Preferred: Experience with MOAB principles.
• Preferred: Knowledge of Spanish

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We're striving to make respect a part of everything we do at UMass Memorial Health - for our patients, our community and each other. Our six Standards of Respect are: Acknowledge, Listen, Communicate, Be Responsive, Be a Team Player and Be Kind. If you share these Standards of Respect, we hope you will join our team and help us make respect our standard for everyone, every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMass Memorial Health recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.