Patient Observer - Safety Aide (40hr, Days)

Beth Israel Lahey Health; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Beth Israel Lahey Health is hiring a Patient Observer to provide constant observation for patients at risk to themselves or others. The observer works under the direction of the Registered Nurse and performs care-related tasks while maintaining patient confidentiality and safety.

Key duties include monitoring patients, exchanging handoffs with nurses, documenting observations, and promptly notifying the RN on safety or behavioral changes.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• AHA BLS certification required, or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Interpersonal skills to interact with patients and families with empathy.
• Healthcare setting experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assures a safe care environment for assigned patients and notifies RN of any concerns.
• Receives nursing handoff at shift start and with each observer change.
• Observes patient for changes and notifies RN of any concerns.
• Completes required documentation.
• Alerts RN when call light is triggered and seeks assistance as needed.
• Completes annual trainings within deadlines.

Skills

High School Diploma

GED

Some college

AHA BLS Certification

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate’s Degree or equivalent

Job description

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Job Summary

The Patient Observer provides constant observation, to ensure a safe and comfortable environment, for patients identified as a risk to themselves or others. The Patient Observer functions under the direction of the Registered Nurse and is responsible for providing specific care-related tasks in accordance with the individual needs of the patient, maintaining patient confidentiality and information at all times. All nursing care is provided by the nursing staff. When not observing patients, the Patient Observer/Safety Aide may be asked to provide other ancillary activities.

Job Description

The Patient Observer functions under the direction of the Registered Nurse and is responsible for providing specific care-related tasks in accordance with the individual needs of the patient, maintaining patient confidentiality and information at all times.

Essential Responsibilities

• Assures a safe care environment for assigned patients and notifies RN of any concerns.
• Receives nursing handoff at beginning of shift regarding reason for observation with specific important information. Provides/Receives handoffs to/from Observer and RN with each change of observer and RN.
• Observes patient for obvious changes in behavior and conditions including attempts to leave the ED/or patient unit and notifies responsible RN.
• Completes appropriate documentation.
• Alerts the appropriate RN to assist when call light is triggered.
• Completes required annual education and other trainings as assigned within established deadlines.
• Must maintain active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification at all times.
• Completes other duties as assigned, appropriate to the incumbent.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent related work experience required.
• Some college or Associate’s Degree preferred.
• AHA BLS Certification required, or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Must possess the interpersonal skills necessary to interact with patients and their families with kindness and empathy, and to clearly communicate patient’s needs to nursing and physician staff.

Preferred Qualifications

Equivalent related work experience may be substituted for High School Diploma and/or GED requirement.

Competencies

Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are based on specific instructions, standard practices and established procedures which generally require little or no supervision.

Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are routine, somewhat repetitive and generally solved by following clear directions and procedures and by identifying opportunities for process improvements.

Independence of Action: Ability to follow general instructions and procedures as provided. Work is monitored by supervisor/manager.

Written Communications: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English with internal and external customers.

Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively with medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.

Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate basic knowledge of fundamental concepts, practices and procedures with the ability to use them in routine situations. Specialized knowledge not required.

Team Work: Ability to interact respectfully with other employees, professional staff and/or external contacts to offer ideas, identify issues, obtain information or deliver services.

Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

Age Based Competencies

Employees in this job must be competent to provide patient care to the following age groups: Youth: 6 months to 16 years, Young adult: 16-30 years, Middle Age: 30 - 60 years, Elderly: 60 -.

Physical Nature Of The Job

Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Some elements of the job are sedentary, but the employee will be required to stand for periods of time or move through out the hospital campus

Pay Range

$18.00 - $24.23

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled