Virtual Patient Observer

University Hospitals; Shaker Heights (OH); On-site; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals is seeking a Virtual Patient Observer to monitor patient safety, document observations in the EHR, and collaborate with the multidisciplinary care team from within the hospital setting.

The role requires high school completion, at least 1 year of patient care experience in a hospital, and strong communication and computer skills. This full-time position emphasizes patient-centered care and adherence to safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (Required proficiency).
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills (Required proficiency).
• Professional demeanor when interacting with patients and customers (Required proficiency).
• Strong computer skills including all MS platforms (Required proficiency).

Responsibilities

• Maintain continuous observation of multiple patients.
• Document observations in the EHR and communicate notes securely with the care team.
• Monitor safety and redirect confused patients according to standards.
• Notify nurses of changes in patient behavior or condition; communicate with patients and families.
• Demonstrate care delivery skills to support safe practice and outcomes.
• Adhere to inter-facility protocols and standards of practice; collaborate across teams.
• Promote a Best Place to Work culture and participate in quality improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned and comply with policies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Professional demeanor

Computer skills (MS Office)

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description - Virtual Patient Observer (260008RR)

A Brief Overview

The Patient Safety Observer is responsible for maintaining continuous observation and ensuring the safety of assigned patients through vigilant monitoring, timely communication, and adherence to established safety protocols. This role actively supports coordinated, high-quality patient care by documenting observations in the electronic health record (EHR), collaborating with the interdisciplinary care team, and utilizing secure communication tools in real time. This position requires strong technical skills and a commitment to exceptional customer service. The individual will demonstrate a thorough understanding of hospital protocols, inter-facility standards, and teamwork practices to optimize both patient outcomes and clinical operations.

What You Will Do

• Maintains continuous observation of multiple patients.
• Navigate EHR workflows to support safe, efficient, and coordinated care. This includes documenting observations, entering appropriate communication notes, and using secure messaging tools to collaborate with the bedside care team in real time.
• Maintains patient safety by: direct supervision, reorienting and redirecting confused patient, following safety standards.
• Communicates with nurse any changes in patient behavior or condition.
• Communicates effectively with patient and family.
• Demonstrates technical skills in care delivery that result in safe practice and positive care outcomes
• Possess and obtain working knowledge of external and inter-facility protocols and standards of practice
• Demonstrates clear communication and effective collaboration to optimize patient care and clinical operations
• Delivering exceptional customer service while facilitating communication across multiple disciplines

Additional Responsibilities

• Work with all System Operations Center staff in a team orientated, collaborative approach
• Responsible for promoting a Best Place to Work Culture and positive and professional work environment
• Actively participates in the development and implementation of performance/quality improvement
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
• Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.

Education

• High School Equivalent / GED (Required)

Work Experience

• 1+ years patient care in hospital acute care setting (Required) or

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral (Required proficiency)
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills (Required proficiency)
• Demonstrates a professional demeanor when interacting with patients and customers (Required proficiency)
• Strong computer skills including all MS platforms (Required proficiency)

Physical Demands

• Standing Occasionally
• Walking Occasionally
• Sitting Constantly
• Lifting Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Carrying Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Pushing Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Pulling Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Climbing Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Balancing Rarely
• Stooping Rarely
• Kneeling Rarely
• Crouching Rarely
• Crawling Rarely
• Reaching Rarely
• Handling Occasionally
• Grasping Occasionally
• Feeling Rarely
• Talking Constantly
• Hearing Constantly
• Repetitive Motions Frequently
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Frequently

Travel Requirements

• 10%