Patient Care Attendant - Tullahoma Sitters (PRN)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Tullahoma, TN

About The Position

The Patient Care Attendant (Patient Sitter) works under the supervision of the Registered Nurse on an assigned unit, Charge Nurse, Nurse Director, and/or In-house Supervisor. The primary responsibility is to observe patients at increased risk of injury because of physical or cognitive conditions. The attendant may provide limited assistance with activities of daily living, such as feeding, hydration, and toileting. The role maintains patient safety through direct observation and companionship, physical support during activities such as sitting, toileting, ambulating, and transportation, and accompaniment off the unit when other staff are not in constant attendance. The attendant follows the plan of care and established procedures, supports patient comfort and safe positioning, assists with meal preparation and diet verification, follows standardized PPE and infection-control processes, and promptly reports changes in patient status or personal care needs. The position pays $16.08 per hour, non-negotiable.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Less than one year of experience.
Ability to provide patient observation, companionship, and safety support under nursing supervision.
Knowledge and implementation of standardized PPE and infection-control practices.

Responsibilities

Provide direct observation and companionship to maintain patient safety.
Provide protection and physical support while patients are in bed or a chair, toileting, ambulating, or being transported to other departments.
Recognize and address patient comfort and safety needs according to the plan of care and established procedures.
Provide safe patient positioning and support with ambulation based on the RN’s assessment.
Prepare the patient and environment for meals according to the plan of care, recognize physical limitations, and verify the diet sheet against the physician’s order.
Follow standardized PPE practices and infection prevention, transmission, and isolation processes.
Accompany patients off the unit and maintain direct contact in areas where other staff are not in constant attendance, such as Radiology.
Report changes in patient status or personal care needs to licensed or nursing assistant staff in a timely manner.
Assist with limited activities of daily living as needed, including feeding, hydration, and toileting.