Patient Observation Assistant

Texas Children's Medical Center•Conroe, TX

10d

About The Position

The Patient Observation Assistant (POA) 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 in a cost-effective manner and is developmental and age appropriate for the patient population. The role requires remaining with an assigned patient throughout the assigned shift and providing continual observation, therapeutic support, and communication with the care team. Successful candidates must undergo respiratory fit testing in compliance with occupational health and safety standards. Available schedules include a day shift from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for three shifts per week, an evening shift from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM for five shifts per week, and a night shift from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM for five shifts per week.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Successful candidates must undergo respiratory fit testing in compliance with occupational health and safety standards.

Nice To Haves

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by 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 or enrollment in an accredited nursing education program.

Responsibilities

Provide continuous, direct observation of patients requiring special precautions and remain with the assigned patient throughout the shift.
Monitor patients for at-risk behavior and help maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors, and employees.
Promote healthy coping through verbal support, implementation of the therapeutic team's behavior plan, and management of the environment.
Assist the RN in identifying patient responses to care and report patient condition to support desired outcomes.
Communicate with healthcare team members to support 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 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 necessary to ensure patient safety.
Use verbal de-escalation techniques to prevent escalation and violence, and maintain therapeutic boundaries.
Participate in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) to reinforce safety through structured routines. Provide ADLs for patients observed for medical needs or alone patients, but not 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, professional interpersonal and communication skills, and customer service.