PATIENT CARE SITTER (36 HRS/WEEK, NIGHT SHIFT)

Riverside Healthcare • Kankakee, IL

4d

About The Position

The Patient Care Sitter provides direct observation and helps ensure the safety of patients who need continuous monitoring, including patients experiencing behavioral health challenges or mental health crises. The role supports nursing staff by helping prevent harm from falls, wandering, and other safety risks and by maintaining a secure, comfortable environment. The sitter follows hospital protocols, promptly communicates patient behaviors and needs to the care team, and contributes to a calm, supportive atmosphere for recovery. The position requires flexibility with assignments within the employee’s professional scope, duties, and licensure.

The sitter may perform approved supportive and comfort functions, document patient activity and behavior, follow safety and infection-control procedures, and assist with medical equipment as directed by nursing staff. The role also involves respectful engagement with patients, families, and colleagues, maintaining required annual hospital-based education, and assisting with light housekeeping or other non-direct-care tasks as needed.

The posting specifies 36 hours per week and a night shift in the title. The listed pay range is USD $16.49–$19.94 per hour. Physical activity is predominantly seated, with occasional standing and walking; lifting up to 10 pounds is occasional, and heavier lifting is not required. The work takes place indoors, with required protective clothing as appropriate for chemotherapy or isolation situations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in high-stress situations.
• Ability to observe patients and communicate with patients and staff; ability to ask for help.
• Ability to identify changes in patient status through smell.
• Ability to perform the described duties, including occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds and rare pushing or pulling of 10–50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a healthcare or patient-care environment is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide continuous, direct observation of patients at risk for injury or harm.
• Perform supportive and comfort functions with nursing staff approval, such as light conversation, pushing a call light, repositioning covers or blankets, and raising the bed.
• Report changes in patients’ physical or mental behaviors to clinical staff.
• Follow hospital policies and procedures regarding patient safety, including fall prevention, infection control, and behavior management.
• Maintain a calm and supportive presence and offer patients comfort and reassurance.
• Accurately document patient activity, behavior, and interactions as required.
• Follow infection-control procedures, including hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment, and environmental cleaning.
• Assist with the setup, operation, and cleaning of medical equipment as directed by nursing staff.
• Engage with patients and families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding; respond to concerns with empathy and professionalism.
• Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment through constructive feedback, assistance to peers, and open communication.
• Maintain annual education requirements for hospital-based certifications, such as DNV and CARF, or others.
• Assist with light housekeeping in patient rooms, such as straightening beds or removing clutter.
• Support unit staff with other non-direct patient-care tasks during downtime.
• Participate in hospital training and educational programs as required.

Benefits

• Paid time off programs for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE positions.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE positions.
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent-care expenses.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Paid Leave Hours accrued as worked for 0.001 to 0.49 FTE positions.
• Premium pay, such as shift differential and on-call pay.
• Opportunity for annual performance-based increases.
• Employee well-being programs and career development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED