Patient Observation Assistant

Lehigh Valley Health Network•Hazleton, PA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is seeking a Patient Observation Assistant to join their team. This role involves participating in the collaborative identification and reporting of patient safety issues. The assistant will provide continuous observation or constant roving to observe and intervene when risky patient behaviors are identified. Key responsibilities include communicating with patients to deescalate tense situations, verbal communication with care team members, and documenting in the electronic medical record at regular intervals. The role also involves performing or assisting patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), meals, and ambulation, as well as ensuring a safe patient environment and reporting any safety hazards to the nurse. The Patient Observation Assistant provides continuous, direct, one-to-one visual and audible observation of patients of all ages to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.

Requirements

Must be 18 years or older.
Ability to recognize and report data reflective of the patients' status and identify each patient's specific needs.
Ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods.
Knowledge of the principles of growth and development through the life span.
Knowledge of department policies and procedures.
TCI - Therapeutic Crisis Intervention - Residential Child Care Project Upon Hire
BLS - Basic Life Support AHA - American Heart Association within 30 Days
Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED - American Heart Association within 30 Days

Nice To Haves

Successful completion of a Crisis Management Course.
Less than 1 year of experience in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Takes initiative in compassionately rendering services or responding to needs and interacts hospitably, cheerfully, and supportively with staff, patients, visitors, and work colleagues.
Seeks help or advice as soon as possible when patient appears to be in medical distress or poses a threat, and escalates to assigned medical professionals.
Assists patient with ordering dietary tray and setting up of patient's meal tray and assists with basic positioning of patient.
Participates in hand-off of pertinent information/behavior about assigned patient when arriving on unit and upon completion of shift assignment.
Assists with patient wheelchair rides and/or ambulation if the patient is stable and gait has been previously determined safe.
Assists in completing specific direct patient care tasks.
Responds rapidly and thoroughly to emergencies, and special needs.
Provides continuous direct one-to-one patient observation.
Documents observations in the patient's electronic medical record in regular intervals.
Ensures that the patient environment is safe and reports any safety hazards to the nurse.