Patient Observer - 24hrs/Evening Shift

Mass General Brigham•Northampton, MA

3d•$19 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Observer remains in constant attendance with an assigned patient to help maintain the patient’s safety under the direction of the unit’s Shift Charge Nurse. The position is part of the 1199SEIU Bargaining Unit at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and operates within established organizational and departmental policies and procedures. The posting also states that the position reports to the Respiratory Therapy Manager. The observer provides safety and comfort support to assigned high-risk patients, promptly reports changes in patient condition to the patient’s nurse, documents patient status and interactions, and assists the healthcare team with patient care tasks as directed. The role is onsite at 30 Locust Street, with a scheduled 24 hours per week on an evening shift, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on various weekdays and every other weekend.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Ability to communicate with children and/or adults required.
AVADE certification required within 6 months.
American Heart Association BLS certification required within 30 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a clinical environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Remain in constant attendance with assigned high-risk patients until relieved by an assigned member of the healthcare team.
Maintain safety for patients with suicidal ideation.
Obtain assistance from the healthcare team when a restrained patient needs attention or assistance.
Immediately report any change in the patient’s condition to the patient’s nurse.
Perform safety and comfort tasks under the direction of the assigned nurse, including fall prevention, helping return a patient’s extremities to bed, removing clutter or items within reach, offering toileting assistance, assisting patients who are independently ambulatory to walk, and offering food and fluids.
Assist healthcare team members with turning and repositioning patients while maintaining privacy and dignity.
Recognize when and how to call 44 for help.
Accompany transport personnel with the patient when transport is necessary.
Interact with patients as directed by the patient’s nurse, including reading, talking, or playing cards.
Document patient status and interactions on the required form according to hospital policy.
With assistance from a trained healthcare team member, assist with application and ongoing assessment of restraints, use of assistive devices and lift equipment, and feeding patients at high risk of aspiration.
Maintain established hospital and departmental policies, procedures, objectives, confidentiality, quality improvement, safety, compliance, infection control, and environmental standards.
Maintain professional growth and development through educational and professional activities to stay current in the field.
Meet annual competency and retraining requirements.
Attend meetings as required.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.