Patient Observation Assistant

Texas Children's Hospital•The Woodlands, TX

10d

About The Position

The Patient Observation Assistant ensures the safety of patients at risk of harm to themselves or others under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). Care incorporates Family Centered Care and is delivered in a cost-effective, developmental, and age-appropriate manner. The assistant provides continual observation for patients requiring special precautions, remains with assigned patients throughout the shift, monitors for at-risk behavior, and supports a safe environment for patients, visitors, and employees. The role also involves therapeutic communication, reporting and documenting patient responses, supporting activities of daily living when appropriate, and responding to psychiatric emergencies using the least restrictive measures. The position is full time. Available schedules are day shift, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM for three shifts per week; evening shift, 3:00 PM–11:00 PM for five shifts per week; or night shift, 11:00 PM–7:00 AM for five shifts per week. Successful candidates must undergo respiratory fit testing in compliance with occupational health and safety standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Demonstrate willingness and ability to acquire new knowledge and skills.
Demonstrate commitment to the team, flexibility, professional interpersonal and communication skills, and customer service skills.

Nice To Haves

BLS (Basic Life Support) certification from the American Heart Association.
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certification.
One year of experience in a psychiatric inpatient or outpatient program, psychiatric residential placement program, or therapeutic support services.
Inpatient hospital experience.
Enrollment in an accredited nursing education program.

Responsibilities

Provide continual direct observation of patients requiring special precautions to maintain a safe environment during their hospital stay.
Remain with the assigned patient at all times during the assigned shift.
Observe patients and monitor for at-risk behavior.
Assist the RN in maintaining an environment conducive to the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
Promote healthy coping through verbal support, implementation of the therapeutic team's behavior plan, and management of the environment.
Help identify patient responses to care and report patient condition to the RN to support desired outcomes.
Communicate with health care team members to enhance the patient's plan of care, advocate for the patient and family, and facilitate unit operations.
Use knowledge of behavioral health diagnoses and issues to understand presenting problems and provide therapeutic direction and feedback.
Evaluate patient responses to interventions, document observations in the medical record, and communicate findings to appropriate team members.
Respond to psychiatric emergencies using the least restrictive measures to ensure patient safety.
Use verbal de-escalation techniques to prevent escalation and violence.
Maintain therapeutic boundaries.
Participate in activities of daily living (ADLs) to reinforce safety through structured routines.
Provide ADLs for patients requiring observation for medical needs or for patients who are alone; do not provide ADLs for patients observed for behavioral health conditions.
Monitor the environment for items that could be used as weapons to harm the patient or others.
Use safe and effective oral feeding practices to ensure eating safety.
Acquire new knowledge and skills to improve individual, team, and organizational performance.
Demonstrate commitment to the team, flexibility, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills, and customer service.
Complete respiratory fit testing as required for successful candidates.