Patient Sitter

Lifepoint Health®; Rutherfordton (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifepoint Health in Rutherfordton, NC is seeking a Patient Sitter to provide direct patient observation and support in planning care alongside the RN and care team. You will help maintain a safe environment for behavioral health patients and perform duties under RN supervision.

Responsibilities include continuous patient visibility, assisting with tests/procedures, monitoring for comfort and safety, and communicating promptly with nursing staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum education as stated in job posting.
• BLS certification required at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Sitters observe the patient and maintain a safe environment; they must always have continuous and unobstructed view of the patient.
• The sitter will accompany the patient for any test or procedures off the unit and to the Holding Area.
• The sitter will remain within arm's length of the patient until relieved by the RN.
• Sitters will attempt to prevent the patient from pulling out lines/tubes and from getting out of bed if bed rest is ordered.
• The sitter may assist with ambulation, feeding, and obtaining fluids as directed by RN.
• Always protect the patient's dignity and privacy by keeping the patient covered and the room closed.

Skills

Clear communication

Observation skills

Swift response ability

Education

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience

Job description

Job Summary

A Patient Sitter provides direct patient observation and input in planning care through communication with the RN and other patient care team members. Is effectively involved with maintaining the standard of care for assigned patients through communication with the care team. Maintains competency and possesses the skills to provide a safe environment to those medical patients requiring close supervision because of behavioral health issues. Completes duties as assigned and performs duties under the direct supervision of the RN.

Job Summary

A Patient Sitter provides direct patient observation and input in planning care through communication with the RN and other patient care team members. Is effectively involved with maintaining the standard of care for assigned patients through communication with the care team. Maintains competency and possesses the skills to provide a safe environment to those medical patients requiring close supervision because of behavioral health issues. Completes duties as assigned and performs duties under the direct supervision of the RN.

Reports to: Director of Emergency Department

FLSA: Non-exempt

Job Requirements

Minimum Education

Preferred X Required

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience:

Certifications

Required Skills

The below certifications will be required at the time of hire:

BLS

Clear communication, listing and observation skills.

Ability to respond swiftly - physically able to sit, stand, bend, brace and lift at a moment's notice.

Calm confident manner and able to remain calm during moment of escalation or high stress.

Maintain composure with distressed or combative patient(s).

Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Essential Functions

Sitters observe the patient and maintain a safe environment; they must always have continuous and unobstructed view of the patient.

The sitter may not adjust or remove restraints. If the patient complains of discomfort, the sitter is to notify the nurse immediately.

The sitter will accompany the patient for any test or procedures off the unit. The sitter will accompany surgical patients to the Holding Area. The sitter will remain within arm's length of the patient until relieved by the RN.

Sitters will attempt to prevent the patient from pulling out lines/tubes.

Sitters will attempt to prevent the patient from getting out of bed if there is an activity level of bed rest ordered.

Sitter may assist patient to the bathroom if activity level permits and RN approves. Bathroom door will remain open and sitter will have direct view of patient at all times.

At the discretion of the nurse, the sitter may assist with ambulation and feeding.

The sitter should assist the patient with obtaining fluids, consuming meals, wiping their face, etc.

Sitters may read to the patient, play a board game or cards, turn on the television and engage on general conversation.

Patient requests for assistance are referred to the nursing staff via call bell system.

Always protect the patient's dignity and privacy by keeping the patient covered, the patient room door closed, etc.

The sitter may not make or receive personal phone calls while on duty or use a personal cell phone. In the case of an emergency, the sitter must notify the nurse that he/she needs to be relieved to make a phone call. The sitter may not leave until he/she has been relieved.

The sitter may have reading material while on duty, but may only read when the patient is asleep.

The sitter will be relieved for breaks and meals but may not leave the patient until physically relieved by another staff member.

Functional Demands

Populations Served

• Does not treat or care for patients.
• Neonate
• Infant
• Early Childhood (1 year)
• Late Childhood (5 years)
• Adolescent (13)
• Young Adult (17 to)
• Middle Adult (30 years to)
• Older Adult (>60 years)

Protected Health Information

Type Of Protected Information Accessed

• Demographic
• Clinical
• Insurance
• Financial
• Complete Medical Record

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure

While performing this job, occupational exposure is present for all employees

Physical Requirements

• Physical Dexterity and Effort: Rarely Bending/Stooping occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Climbing occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Keyboard Data Entry occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Kneeling occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Lifting/Moving Patients occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Reaching occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Repetitive Foot/Leg Movements occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Repetitive Hand/Arm Movements occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Running rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Sitting occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Squatting occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Standing occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Walking occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs. occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Pushing / Pulling: 26-75 lbs. occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Pushing/Pulling: over 75 lbs. occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Lifting/Carrying (non-patient) : 0-25 lbs. occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Lifting/Carrying (non-patient) : 26-75 lbs. occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Lifting/Carrying (non-patient) : over 75 lbs. occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Visual Acuity, Hearing and Speaking: Audible Speech rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Hearing Acuity rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Smelling Acuity rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Taste Discrimination rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Vision: Depth Perception rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Vision: Distinguish Color rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Vision: Seeing Far rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Vision: Seeing Near rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Biological: Rarely Biohazardous waste/ hazards rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Blood and/or bodily fluids rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Communicable diseases/pathogens rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Chemical: Asbestos or lead rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Cytotoxic Chemicals rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Dust rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Hazardous Chemicals rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Gases/Vapors/Fumes rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Hazardous Medication rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly
• Latex rarely, occasionally, frequently, constantly

Organizational Expectations

Adheres To The Following SRMC Policies / Philosophies

• Attendance
• Safety
• Customer and Needs
• Continuous Improvement
• Process Focus
• Communication
• HIPPA / Patient Privacy
• Teamwork
• Dress Code / Hygiene
• Has completed all annual training in LifeTalent Center / Healthstream

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.