Patient Observer

VPNE•Bridgeport, CT

17h

About The Position

Working collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and under the direction of a Registered Nurse, the Patient Observer participates in nursing interventions that provide patients opportunities to learn adaptive coping strategies. The role provides one-to-one observation to maintain patient safety and prevent self-harm. The Patient Observer supports a therapeutic environment by monitoring patients continuously, reporting changes in their physical or psychiatric condition, and following the patient care plan while preserving safety, dignity, and autonomy. The role also involves supporting patient activities and social interaction, helping with testing and consultations, participating in teaching behavioral techniques, maintaining a safe environment, and completing required documentation and competency evaluations. The position requires accountability, professional interpersonal skills, reliable crisis management, and compliance with legal, regulatory, and psychiatric policies. The Patient Observer may relocate or rotate to meet patient care needs and is expected to maintain required training and respond constructively to feedback.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Proficient in English, both verbally and in writing.
Minimum two years of prior experience preferred in psychiatry or a related field, working with specialized populations such as emotionally disturbed adults, adolescents, children, and families.

Responsibilities

Assist nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu and safe care environment.
Provide continuous one-to-one observation to ensure patient safety.
Notify the patient’s nurse of changes in the patient’s physical or psychiatric condition.
Remain with the patient except when relieved for breaks, meals, or at the end of the shift, including when the patient is sleeping, restrained, or under medication.
Initiate individual and group patient activities and social interactions consistent with the nursing plan of care.
Support environmental and emotional safety through limit setting, physical holding and restraint, and monitoring visitor activities and interactions, under the Registered Nurse’s direction.
Maintain a clean and safe patient environment.
Provide individualized patient care under the Registered Nurse’s direction, preserving the patient’s safety, dignity, and autonomy and following the patient care plan.
Observe and report behavioral responses to interventions.
Collaborate with the primary nurse to assist patients with testing and consultations in other hospital areas.
Participate with the nurse in teaching behavioral techniques, including relaxation and coping skills.
Complete required documentation, including 15-minute observation forms and Environmental Safety Checks sheets on non-behavioral health units.
Complete the annual sitter competency evaluation.
Complete non-therapeutic functions under the direction of an MD, PA, APRN, or RN.
Demonstrate accountability and responsibility for actions, competency in managing aggression, and reliable crisis management in new or unexpected situations.
Maintain professional interpersonal skills with patients and coworkers.
Relocate and rotate to meet patient care needs and prioritize assignments for timely completion.
Comply with legal and regulatory codes and psychiatric policies; seek appropriate resources for clarification of policies and procedures.
Maintain mandatory continuing education classes and participate in unit activities that positively affect unit practice.
Identify performance improvement needs, communicate with the supervisor, accept constructive criticism, and implement corrective action.
Meet personnel policy guidelines for punctuality.