Patient Observer Per Diem

Baystate Health; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Baystate Health in Massachusetts is seeking a Behavioral Resource Technician (BRT) to provide safety observations and compassionate care for assigned patients. The role includes assisting with activities of daily living, documenting observations every 15 minutes, and communicating changes to the nurse promptly.

The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of patient-care experience, preferably with behavioral health populations, and the ability to de-escalate in demanding situations while

Qualifications

• 1 year of relevant patient care experience.
• Experience with behavioral health patients preferred (2 years).
• Paraprofessional experience or BRT Apprentice role counts.

Responsibilities

• Provides Age Appropriate Care To Patients.
• Develops and maintains good human relations with patient, family, and staff.
• Provides safety observation and documents patient status every 15 minutes; reports to RN.

Skills

Reading comprehension

Writing

Following instructions

Job description

Summary

A Behavioral Resource Technician (“BRT”) is responsible for providing safety observation of the patient or patients they are assigned to. The BRT’s role is to ensure that the patient does nothing to harm themselves or others. The BRT must maintain a safe environment and interact with the patient, family, and staff in a caring professional manner. As a member of the health care team, the BRT will provide care for the patient and may include bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning as assigned. The BRT is responsible for reporting any changes in the patient’s condition or behavior to the nurse immediately and documenting every 15 minutes during their shift.

This description covers the essential functions of the position.

The incumbent is expected to perform other similar and related duties as assigned. Management has the right to change or add to the job responsibilities at any time. The preferred candidate has a minimum of 2 years of experience working with patients or clients with behavioral health diagnoses.

Job Responsibilities:

1) Provides Age Appropriate Care To Patients

Demonstrates knowledge of developmental stages for the following age groups child through older adult: Children, Adolescents, Adult, Geriatric

2) Develops And Maintains Good Human Relations Skills. Introduces self by name to the patient, PCT, and RN, 100% of the time. Consistently displays a respectful, empathetic, and caring attitude toward patients and families 100% of the time. Interacts with other members of the health care team RN, PCT, MD, etc. professionally. Accepts changes in assignments to accommodate the patient’s needs. Accepts constructive criticism as demonstrated by positive behavioral changes, if indicated.

3) Provides safety observation of the patient/s intervening as necessary. Documents patient status every 15 minutes. Independently communicates patient information and observations promptly to the RN. Actively listens to the patient and acts in a caring professional manner. Provides care for the patient; bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in assisting patients with activities of daily living. Follows directions from the RN regarding limitations and privileges the patient has at all times. Possesses the ability to redirect the patient to a different activity. Possesses the ability to de-escalate a patient and maintain a therapeutic environment. Observes and report any significant occurrences in the patient’s condition and behavior to the RN.

4) Receives report from the RN and off-going BRT when reporting for duty. Reports off to the RN and on coming BRT 100% of the time. Provides immediate care to maintain the patient’s safety.

5) Maintains A Safe Environment For The Patient: Remains with the patient at all times if assigned to one-to-one observation unless relieved by a member of the staff. Must remain awake and alert and have the ability to provide safety observation as defined in the Care of the Suicidal Patient policy, even when the patient is sleeping. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in maintaining a safe environment and can identify ligature and safety risks in any environment of care. Accompanies the patient off the unit as directed by the nurse and remains with the patient at all times in these areas. Transports patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers to procedures. Reports any safety hazards to the RN.

6) Understands the care for specific diagnoses such as suicidal, eating disordered, drug or alcohol withdrawal, PICA, Alzheimer’s, anoxic brain injury, etc.

7) Communicates to patients that they are a high priority even during busy times. Treats patient information as confidential. Displays sensitivity to patients through non-verbal communication. Utilizes body language such as eye contact, smiling, etc., to demonstrate an interest in the patient.

8) Participates in Competency Validations, Educational Activities, and Staff Meetings. Completes all mandatory in-services and web strategies 100% of the time. Attends and participates in staff meetings. Attends annual mandatory validations. Attends all additional programs as required. Continually seeks to improve skill level and knowledge base.

9) Demonstrates competency for one-to-one observation of patients based on the care of the suicidual patient policy. Staff providing patient safety observation must remain awake and alert at all times.

Required Experience:

1 year of relevant patient care experience.

This experience could include but is not limited to working with behavioral health patients, direct patient care, patients in a group home setting, experience as a paraprofessional, or has successfully worked in a BRT Apprentice Role for 1 year.

Preferred Experience:

2 years of experience working with behavioral health patients.

Skills and Competencies:

1) Demonstrates competency in reading comprehension, writing and following instructions

Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum

$17.01 - $19.55 - $22.81

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.