Patient Observer FT Days

Baystate Health•Springfield, MA

About The Position

A Behavioral Resource Technician (BRT) provides safety observation for assigned patients to prevent harm to themselves or others. The BRT maintains a safe environment and interacts with patients, families, and staff in a caring, professional manner. As part of the health care team, the BRT provides assigned patient care that may include bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning. The BRT promptly reports changes in a patient’s condition or behavior to the nurse and documents patient status every 15 minutes during the shift. Other similar and related duties may be assigned, and management may change or add responsibilities. The role includes observing patients, intervening when necessary, assisting with activities of daily living, following the RN’s directions about patient limitations and privileges, and helping redirect or de-escalate patients while maintaining a therapeutic environment. The BRT receives and gives shift reports, remains with patients during one-to-one observation unless relieved by staff, and accompanies patients off the unit as directed. The role also involves maintaining confidentiality, participating in required training and meetings, and demonstrating competency in patient safety observation.

Requirements

At least 1 year of relevant patient care experience, which may include behavioral health patients, direct patient care, group home work, paraprofessional work, or successful completion of a BRT Apprentice role for 1 year.
Competency in reading comprehension, writing, and following instructions.
Ability to remain awake and alert while providing patient safety observation.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of experience working with behavioral health patients.

Responsibilities

Provide age-appropriate care to patients from childhood through older adulthood, with knowledge of developmental stages.
Introduce oneself to the patient, PCT, and RN; interact respectfully and professionally with patients, families, and the health care team; accept assignment changes and constructive feedback.
Provide patient safety observation and intervene as needed; document patient status every 15 minutes and promptly communicate observations to the RN.
Assist with bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning, repositioning, and other activities of daily living as assigned.
Follow RN directions regarding patient limitations and privileges; redirect patients, de-escalate situations, and maintain a therapeutic environment.
Receive reports from the RN and off-going BRT at the start of duty and report off to the RN and incoming BRT.
Provide immediate care to maintain patient safety.
Remain with a patient assigned to one-to-one observation unless relieved by a staff member; stay awake and alert, including while the patient sleeps.
Identify ligature and other safety risks, report hazards to the RN, accompany patients off the unit as directed, and remain with them in those areas.
Transport patients by wheelchair or stretcher to procedures.
Understand care considerations for diagnoses including suicidal ideation, eating disorders, drug or alcohol withdrawal, PICA, Alzheimer’s disease, and anoxic brain injury.
Communicate respectfully and sensitively, prioritize patients even during busy periods, and maintain confidentiality of patient information.
Participate in competency validations, educational activities, staff meetings, mandatory in-services, web strategies, and annual validations; continually improve skills and knowledge.
Demonstrate competency in one-to-one patient observation under the care of the suicidal patient policy.