Patient Observation Assistant

Lehigh Valley Health Network•Allentown, PA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is a nationally recognized, forward-thinking health network, consistently ranked among the "Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years and honored five times as a Magnet(tm) Hospital for nursing excellence. Several LVHN hospitals also received 'A' grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group in 2020. These accolades reflect LVHN's dedication to teamwork, compassion, and technology, focusing on delivering exceptional health care. The Patient Observation Assistant plays a crucial role in patient safety by continuously observing patients, intervening in risky behaviors, de-escalating tense situations, and communicating with the care team. Responsibilities include documenting observations in the electronic medical record, assisting patients with daily living activities (ADLs), meals, and ambulation, and ensuring a safe patient environment. This role involves direct, one-to-one visual and audible observation of patients of all ages to maintain a safe and therapeutic setting. LVHN, the region's largest employer with nearly 20,000 health care professionals, is a Great Place to Work® certified organization, driven by its mission to heal, comfort, and care, and upholding core values of Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

Requirements

Must be 18 years old 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.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania within 30 Days
Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED - State of Pennsylvania within 30 Days

Nice To Haves

Successful completion of Crisis Management Course.

Responsibilities

Participates in the collaborative identification and reporting of patient safety issues.
Provides continuous observation or constant roving to observe and intervene when risky patient behaviors are identified.
Communicates with the patients to deescalate tense situations.
Provides verbal communication with care team members.
Documents in the patients electronic medial record in regular intervals.
Performs or assist patients with ADL's, meals, and ambulates patients.
Ensures that the patient environment is safe and reports any safety hazards to the nurse.
Provides continuous, direct, one-to-one patient visual and audible observation of patients of all ages to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.
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.