ED Observation Assistant, Pediatric ER, 24 Hours, Nights

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position functions as a member of the Emergency Department staff, primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of specific patients. The role involves providing constant observation or 15-minute safety checks for patients identified as being at risk for potential injury to themselves or others. The ED Observation Assistant also performs other support duties to aid in patient care and departmental operations.

Requirements

High School Graduate or equivalent.
Must be able to complete de-escalation training.
Current Basic Life Support or Heart Saver certification.
Communication Skills: Ability to read, write, speak effectively in English and have good interpersonal skills, required.
Demonstrates the ability to remain calm when under stress or in emergency situations.
Must be able to assist in the physical restraint of disturbed patients.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in patient care, mental health/intellectual disabilities, teaching/child care/special needs students or public safety preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the Emergency Department Resource Nurse.
Assists the patient to get undressed, removes items that could injure the patient or staff, and secures belongings.
Monitors the patient and conducts patient safety checks every 15 minutes for an assigned group of patients.
Escorts and supervises patients in the bathroom depending on the level of care, under the direction of the RN.
Assists patients with meals and comforts, and de-escalates patients using sensory techniques and distraction techniques as needed.
Attempts to prevent unsafe patient movement and actions.
Notifies the nurse of changes in patient activity, mood, behavior, requests for medication, and calls for assistance when necessary.
Reminds patients about the importance of their safety and fall prevention, attempts to redirect patient’s attention from equipment, and emergently prevents patients from dislodging equipment.
Utilizes de-escalation techniques to redirect patients and, if unsuccessful, participates in restraints under the direction of the RN or MD in accordance with training and education.
Obtains report on each assigned patient from the nurse at the beginning of each shift.
Monitors patients and reports any potentially unsafe behaviors or patients that appear to be escalating to the assigned nurse throughout the shift.
Reports concerns to the nurse if the patient’s family or visitors are contributing to escalating behavior.
Performs environmental safety check of the patient and patient's room and removes potentially harmful items at the beginning of each shift and between discharges from rooms.
Constantly checks for and remedies potentially hazardous situations such as improperly open doors and windows.
Reports any potentially unsafe environmental issues that cannot be remedied to the assigned nurse throughout the shift.
Follows the Policy & Procedure(s) for Constant Observation.
Accompanies the patient for therapeutic procedures unless otherwise ordered by the assigned nurse and/or physician.
Documents patient behavior every fifteen minutes on the Constant Observation documentation record.
Places this information in the patient’s bedside chart.
Provides handoff to the on-coming ED Observation Assistant.
Performs a variety of duties to support patient care and the operations of the department.
Engages patients in activities as appropriate.
Maintains work area in a neat and orderly manner.
Stocks carts & supplies.
Transports patient or equipment.
Answers telephones, takes messages, and completes light clerical duties such as filing as assigned.
Follows department/hospital policy and procedure on Infection Control, Fire Safety, etc., including training programs (including de-escalation and restraint training) and demonstrates competency and proficiency as required.
Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
Attends a variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
Maintains regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.