Patient Safety Assistant Float

St. Charles Health System; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Charles Health System seeks a Patient Safety Assistant to provide continuous observation and support for pediatric, adolescent and adult patients at risk of harm. Under RN supervision, you’ll help maintain safety, assist with daily living activities, and document patient responses in the electronic medical record.

The role emphasizes de-escalation, compassionate communication, and adherence to safety protocols while promoting a therapeutic environment across hospital units.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Willingness to take additional courses as required for the position.
• Preferred: CNA, EMT, or Medical Assistant licensure or training.
• Completion of EMT/CNA/MA training programs may be required or beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide constant observation and monitoring of patients to ensure safety.
• Be alert to changes in patient behavior or condition and report to nurses.
• Assist with activities of daily living as needed.
• Document observations and patient responses in the medical record per policy.
• Follow safety and de-escalation protocols while maintaining patient dignity.
• Travel to different St. Charles Hospitals and departments as needed.

Skills

Continuous monitoring

Observation skills

De-escalation

Therapeutic communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Patient Safety Assistant (PSA) is responsible for providing constant observation and support to pediatric, adolescent and adult patients who require close monitoring due to medical, behavioral, or safety reasons. The Patient Safety Assistant will work under the direction of an RN to provide constant observation of a patient who is in danger of causing harm to themselves or others if left unattended and facilitate a safe environment for patients and staff. The Patient Safety Assistant (PSA) ensures the patient's safety and comfort while adhering to established protocols and procedures. This position does not directly supervise any other caregivers.

Essential Functions And Duties

• Provides continuous monitoring by maintaining constant visual observation of an assigned patient to ensure their safety and well-being.
• Remains alert to changes in patient behavior or condition and promptly reports any concerns to the nursing staff or healthcare team.
• Responsible for conducting a room check to ensure potential harmful items are removed from the patient's room.
• Provides assistance with activities of daily living, such as ambulation, toileting, and meal assistance, as needed.
• Interacts with patients of all ages, social, cultural and economic backgrounds with a polite, therapeutic and positive approach to alleviate anxiety, boredom, or distress during periods of observation.
• Demonstrates and validates adherence to quality and safety as measured and documented in the PSA’s competency standards.
• Accurately documents observations, interventions, and patient responses in the medical record according to established procedures and policies.
• Follows safety measures and interventions as instructed, such as de‑escalation strategies and room safety protocols, while ensuring patient dignity and respect.
• Ability to travel and work in various St. Charles Hospitals and nursing departments.
• Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, supporting the health system’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violations of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all company investigations and proceedings.
• Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, safe, efficient, and accurate.
• Supports the vision, mission, and values of the organization in all respects.
• Supports lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.
• Participates in creating intentional relationships and demonstrates a supportive attitude and behaviors that enhance the care experience.
• Provides a therapeutic presence in service to others by purposefully responding to the needs of patients and families in a caring way, including introducing oneself and explaining their role in the patient’s care, asking the patient their preferred name, sitting with the patient to support their care goals, active listening, promote a healing environment and communicating effectively and appropriately through touch, eye contact, etc.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients, and guests.
• May perform additional duties of similar complexity and competence within the organization, as required or assigned.

Additional Duties

• Stocking of unit supplies
• Mobility of patients
• Ensuring patients have appropriate belongings, etc, and are ready for discharge.
• Transporting of discharged patients within facility

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Must be willing to take additional courses as required for the position
• Preferred: N/A

Licensure/Certification/Registration

• Required: AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification, prior to completion of orientation.
• Preferred: Current Licensure/Certification as a CNA, EMT, or Medical Assistant
• Completion of training program: EMT, CNA, MA, Paramedic, RN Students: completion of 1st quarter/semester of nursing school.

Experience

• Required: N/A
• Preferred: Acute health care experience. Behavioral health experience. Long term care experience. Licensed childcare experience.