Patient Safety Observer - 36 hours, days (BMC Brighton)

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center is seeking a Patient Safety Observer (One To One Sitter) to perform one-to-one observation for patients admitted for suicide risk and other safety concerns. The role requires close supervision, continuous monitoring, and rapid reporting to the RN.

The position is full-time with 36 hours per week on 12-hour shifts, including every other weekend, located at BMC Brighton. Must hold a High School Diploma and Active BLS certification; English proficiency is required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Active BLS certification from American Heart Association.
• Ability to effectively speak, read and write using the English language.

Responsibilities

• Must be within arm's length of the patient at all times, unless directed by the charge RN.
• Must visually monitor patient at all times.
• Must continuously observe and accompany patient to bathrooms or when patient goes off unit for tests.
• Must respect the dignity of the patient.
• Must not leave the patient unattended for any period.
• If assistance is needed, sitter must call for help or use room phone.
• Maintain verbal contact with the patient to monitor for suicidal thoughts and changes in behavior.
• Report changes in physical/mental status or verbalizations of self-harm to the RN immediately.
• Document safety checks and notify RN of any adjustments needed.
• Monitor environment for hazardous items and report them to RN.
• Handle emergency situations as required.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Patient Safety Observer (One To One Sitter) performs one to one observation with patients admitted for an attempted suicide, with patients considered actively suicidal and on all patients who may harm themselves or for other safety reasons.

Position: Patient Safety Observer

Department: Safe Sitter

Schedule: Full Time, 36 hours:12 hours shifts 7a-7:30p, Every Other Weekend

Location: BMC Brighton

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES

• Must be within arm's length of the patient at all times, unless other-wise directed by the charge RN.
• Must be able to visually monitor patient at all times.
• Must continuously observe and physically accompany patient to the bathrooms or
• when patient has to go off the unit for tests.
• Must make every effort to respect the dignity of the patient.
• May not leave the patient unattended for any period of time unless relieved by another staff member.
• If assistance is needed, the sitter must call out for help. If situation is not an emergency, sitter may use call night or telephone in room.
• Must maintain verbal contact with the patient while awake to provide ongoing monitoring of communication indicating suicidal thoughts, and observe for sudden changes in behavior, and other changes in behavior which may indicate suicide potential.
• Must report any significant changes in physical and mental status, such as sudden changes in behavior and/or verbalization suicidal thoughts and behavior to the assigned RN. immediately.
• Must report verbalizations and/or behaviors of; self-injury, harming others, self-harm or attempts to leave the hospital to the assigned RN. immediately.
• Demonstrates awareness of potentially hazardous items and informs all Medical Center personnel entering the patient's room to leave any hazardous items outside the room.
• Continuously monitors environment for potentially hazardous items and reports presence of hazardous items to assigned RN.
• Obtains assistance appropriately, according to situations:
• Demonstrates awareness of behaviors/verbalizations of patient issues that require reporting to the charge or assigned RN and immediacy of need to report this information.
• Manages emergency situations safely
• Reports emergency situations immediately and appropriately.
• Intervenes with patient appropriately.
• Responsibilities when patient is in restraints
• Performs safety checks by checking restrained extremities at least every 15 minutes for; restraint intact circulation, comfort, and body alignment
• Documents safety checks on the restraint observation and documentation record and/or medical/surgical flow sheet.
• Notifies charge RN. /Assigned RN of patient physical adjustment needed

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or equivalent

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Related work experience preferred

Required Certifications

• Active BLS certification from American Heart Association

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively speak, read and write using the English language

Compensation Range

$16.29- $24.21

Compensation Range: $16.29- $24.21. This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans