Patient Safety Observer, Nursing Administration- Per Diem

UMass Memorial Medical Group; Southbridge (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus eligibility

Job summary

UMass Memorial Medical Group is hiring a Patient Safety Observer to provide continuous safety monitoring and assist with patient care activities on a mixed shift. The role requires a High School diploma and CPR certification within 6 months, with healthcare experience preferred.

The position is non-exempt and pays $15.00 to $21.74 per hour for a full-time 40-hour week, with prorating for part-time hours based on scheduled hours and internal equity considerations.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• CPR certification within 6 months of hire.
• Experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous safety observation of assigned patients to ensure safety and comfort.
• Support activities of daily living as directed by nursing staff.
• Engage with patients through conversation and light activities when appropriate.
• Document and report issues to the licensed clinical staff immediately.
• Maintain patient dignity and advocate for patient needs at all times.
• Assist with mobility, feeding, and repositioning as directed.
• Assist with transport of patients as directed by licensed staff.
• Perform 15-minute safety checks with documentation unless instructed otherwise.
• Monitor visitors to prevent unsafe materials from reaching patients.
• Follow directions of the nurse in charge and participate in float assignments.

Skills

Healthcare experience preferred

Observation and vigilance

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

CPR Certification

Job description

Exemption Status

Non-Exempt

Hiring Range

$15.00 - $21.74 (based on a full time schedule of 40 hours per week).

Please note that the final offer will vary based on scheduled hours. Compensation for part-time or reduced schedules will be prorated based on scheduled weekly hours, experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

Schedule Details

Monday through Friday, Weekends (Saturday and Sunday)

Scheduled Hours

varies

Shift

4 - Mixed Shift, 8 Hours (United States of America)

Hours

0

Cost Center

25080 - 0152 MS & ED Patient Observers

This position may have a signing bonus available a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.

Everyone Is a Caregiver

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver - regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

Patient Safety Observer Responsibilities

The Patient Safety Observer is responsible to provide continuous safety observation of patients to which they are assigned. The primary function in this role is to ensure patient safety and comfort. As part of the care team the Patient Observer may be asked to participate in supporting the patients with their activities of daily living, including, but not limited to, ambulating, feeding, and repositioning of patients as directed by nursing. The Patient Safety Observer may engage with the patients if appropriate and can use casual talk, sensory box including cards, coloring books, games. All care is to be documented and communicated through report with the designated staff member. All issues/concerns are to be reported immediately to the licensed clinical charge person.

Major Responsibilities

• 1. Develops and maintains good human relations skills. Introduces self by name to the patient and engages in eye contact. Consistently displays a respectful, empathetic and caring attitude toward both the patients and the family members.
• 2. Consistently observes for suicidal and/or violent behavior. Stays in close proximity of the patient and keeps them in the visual field at all times. Ensures patient safety at all times including while in the bathroom and when transported to other departments.
• 3. Monitor visitors to ensure no unsafe materials are shared with the patient (weapons, illicit drugs, sharps).
• 4. Maintains 15-minute checks with documentation unless otherwise directed.
• 5. Patient Safety Observers can monitor more than 1 patient if deemed appropriate by the licensed staff in charge.
• 6. Follow the directions of the nurse in charge.
• 7. May transport patients if directed by the licensed staff in charge.
• 8. When not observing a patient the patient safety observer can be used for other ancillary activities as directed by the nursing supervisor (making beds in the ED, stocking, assisting with transporting patients).
• 9. Functions in a float position and is assigned to the areas with patient needs.
• 10. Maintains patient dignity at all times and advocates for the patient.

Position Qualifications

• License/Certification/Education: Required:
  • 1. High School diploma or equivalent.
  • 2. CPR Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Experience/Skills: Preferred:
  • 1. Previous position held in a healthcare setting preferred.

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities:

• 1. Stand - 1/3 to 2/3
• 2. Walk - 1/3 to 2/3
• 3. Sit - 2/3
• 4. Talk or hear - 2/3
• 5. Uses hands to finger, handle or feel - 2/3
• 6. Push/pull - 1/3 to 2/3
• 7. Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl - 1/3 to 2/3
• 8. Reach with hands and arms - 2/3

This job requires that weight be lifted or force be exerted:

• 1. Up to 10 pounds - 2/3
• 2. Up to 25 pounds - 2/3
• 3. Up to 50 pounds - 2/3
• 4. Up to 100 pounds - 2/3
• 5. More than 100 pounds - 2/3

This job requires exposure to the following environmental conditions:

• 1. Wet, humid conditions (non-weather) - 1/3 to 2/3
• 2. Work near moving mechanical parts