Patient Safety Assistant (Part Time, Days)

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is seeking a Part Time Patient Safety Assistant to provide direct observation for patients requiring safety supervision. The role focuses on keeping patients in sight, assisting with activities of daily living, and ensuring dignity and comfort while maintaining infection control.

This 0.5 FTE position equals 20 hours per week, on site in Lancaster, PA. Candidates must have a high school diploma, be able to speak/read English, and obtain CPR certification

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to speak, understand, read and write English.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision/line of sight to patients with safety concerns.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (bathing, hygiene, feeding, etc.).
• Uses standard precautions and personal protective equipment.
• Keeps patient’s immediate care area free of clutter and hazards.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CPR certification

Job description

Description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical, and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Part Time .5FTE 20hrs/week

Position Summary

Provides direct observation for patients requiring direct supervision for safety reasons. This includes patients with compromised judgment pertaining to their safety and wellbeing as it relates to falls; interference with therapeutic equipment; patients who may need companions due to their state of confusion or agitation; and/or patients at risk for self-harm or elopement.

Essential Functions

• Provides direct supervision/line of sight to patients with safety concerns.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (bathing, hygiene, feeding, etc.).
• Uses appropriate resources for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.
• Integrates principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.
• Uses standard precautions and personal protective equipment.
• Interacts with the patient in a manner that preserves patient dignity, privacy, and meets psychosocial and age-appropriate needs of the patient.
• Stays at the patient’s bedside and keeps the patient in their direct line of vision at all times. Personal activities such as reading, studying, crafts, using personal social media devices are not permitted while on duty supervising patients.
• Escorts and assists patients with ambulatory/bathroom privileges and stays with the patient at all times, requesting assistance as needed.
• Interacts with the patient as appropriate to provide diversionary activities to engage the patient. This includes reading to the patient, working on a puzzle or similar activity with the patient, conversing with the patient, etc.
• Assists with patient re-positioning and assists patient with bed chair transfers.
• Helps patient with general comfort needs.
• Keeps patient’s immediate care area free of clutter and hazards.
• Monitors patients per policy and within a manner that protects the safety of patients and others.
• Communicates patient and unit information to the RN and interdisciplinary team in a timely manner.
• Seeks help from patient’s primary RN and interdisciplinary team when needed.
• Informs patient’s primary RN when experiencing difficulty completing an assignment.
• Receives report and clarifies information as needed.
• Stays with the patient (within arm's reach) until relieved by another Patient Safety Assistant or healthcare provider.
• Clarifies break times with patient’s primary RN and nursing staff.
• Informs patient’s primary RN when leaving the unit for any reason.
• Ensures there is coverage for the patient before leaving the patient’s bedside.
• Introduces self to patient and explains the role.
• Serves as preceptor and mentor for new Patient Safety Assistants.
• Documents patient behaviors and interventions in the Electronic Medical Record or on paper as appropriate.
• Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine Lancaster General values, policies, and procedures.

Secondary Functions

• Communicates support of organizational values and strategies.
• Supports organizational programs and performs job duties in accordance with these standards.
• Performs assigned duties directed by staff to maintain unit in a state of survey readiness and maintains quality initiatives.
• Reads hospital emails regularly and attends staff meetings regularly.
• Keeps patient care area and work environment safe, neat, organized.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must complete on the job orientation and training as scheduled.
• Ability to speak, understand, read and write English.
• Healthcare provider CPR (can attain certification within 30 days of hire).

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.