Patient Sitter Flex

Houston Methodist; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist is seeking a Patient Sitter to monitor patients, observe during shifts, and report to licensed nurses to support safe care for a diverse patient population. The role includes performing basic patient care activities under supervision and ensuring adherence to suicidal safety precautions.

The incumbent will work closely with the healthcare team, communicate effectively, and provide compassionate care while maintaining Houston Methodist ICARE values in daily practice.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• One year of direct patient care experience within the last three years or Nursing student currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program with at least one clinical rotation.
• State licenses or certifications: CMEDASST, NHA-CMA, NCCT-NCMA, NRCMA, CNA; BLS or Instructor; CPI within 4 months.

Responsibilities

• Provide 15-minute patient monitoring and observe for safety.
• Assist with basic activities of daily living within defined limits.
• Communicate observations and patient needs to the licensed nurse.
• Maintain patient safety precautions and document relevant information as required.

Skills

Communication

Observation

Safety awareness

Customer service

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Patient Sitter position functions as competent and demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated nursing assistant level tasks for assigned age-specific, diverse patient population, providing appropriate level of observation and assisting in the delivery of patient care and services under the supervision of a licensed nurse. This position collaborates with the healthcare team to maintain a safe environment, ensuring suicidal safety precautions are implemented and will conduct 15-minute monitoring to ensure patient needs are met and records data established by policy and procedure, and reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse. The Patient Sitter position may also perform basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit specific defined limits and job scope and practices Patient and Family Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist ICARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• One year of direct patient care experience within the last three years or Nursing student currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program that has successfully completed at least one clinical rotation

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• State license or certification: CMEDASST,NHA-CMA,NCCT-NCMA,NRCMA,CNA and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
• NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 4 months

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL’s) within unit specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity.
• Completes required continuous training and education, including department-specific requirements and suicidal safety precautions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.
• Interacts with peers, staff and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information in a clear and timely manner.
• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows the patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Documents, where applicable, care administered, diagnostic measurements, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures. Responds to the call light system, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs.
• Provides routine or close level of observation needed to provide safety for a patient. Assists with vital signs, ADLs, bed and transfer activities, meal set-up and feedings. Organizes the work flow, problem-solves basic and routine matters, and manages multiple ongoing priorities, seeking guidance and assistance from licensed nurse, or management.
• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction/experience on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability, i.e. bedside shift handoff/report.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Collaborates with healthcare team to maintain a safe environment, ensuring suicidal safety precautions are implemented.
• Provides appropriate hand-off at change of shift at patient bedside to communicate and collaborate, promoting patient-centered care. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Conducts every 15-minute documentation to ensure patient needs are met (four P’s). Reports near misses and collaborates with the interprofessional health care team to improve patient safety.
• Contributes towards improving quality and safety scores on the unit-based scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability. Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, VTE, and hospital-acquired infections.
• Maintains visual contact with the patient and remains at arms-length.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with patient and staffing needs, floating across the hospital as competencies allow. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks guidance and validation of knowledge base, skill level and decision making as necessary, especially in areas of question, from preceptor and assigned licensed personnel. Completes and updates My Development plan (MDP) on an on-going basis.
• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities.