Patient Observer

VPNE•Lebanon, NH

About The Position

The Patient Observer works collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The role supports nursing interventions that help patients learn adaptive coping strategies and provides continuous one-to-one observation to help prevent patients from harming themselves. The Patient Observer helps maintain a therapeutic, safe environment and provides individualized care that preserves each patient’s safety, dignity, and autonomy. The role also includes monitoring and reporting changes in patients’ physical or psychiatric condition and behavioral responses to interventions; supporting patient activities, social interaction, testing, and consultations; assisting with behavioral techniques such as relaxation and coping skills; maintaining a clean and safe patient environment; completing required documentation and competency evaluations; and demonstrating accountability, professional communication, crisis-management skills, and compliance with applicable policies.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Proficient in spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of prior experience in psychiatry or a related field is preferred.
Experience working with specialized populations, such as emotionally disturbed adults, adolescents, children, and families, is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu and environment to ensure safe patient care and treatment.
Provide continuous one-to-one observation and visualization to ensure patient safety.
Notify the patient’s nurse of changes in the patient’s physical or psychiatric condition.
Remain with the patient at all times except when relieved for breaks, meals, or the end of the shift, including when the patient is sleeping, restrained, or under medication.
Initiate patient activities and social interactions in individual and group situations in accordance with the nursing plan of care.
Support environmental and emotional safety through consistent limit setting, physical holding and restraining, and monitoring visitors’ 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 while preserving patient safety, dignity, and autonomy.
Follow 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.
Demonstrate competency in managing patient problems such as aggression and reliable crisis-management skills in new or unexpected situations.
Demonstrate professional interpersonal skills with patients and coworkers.
Relocate and rotate to meet patient care needs.
Prioritize patient care and complete assignments in a timely manner.
Comply with legal and regulatory codes and psychiatric policies, and use appropriate resources to clarify policies and procedures.
Maintain all mandatory continuing education classes.
Participate in unit-based activities that positively affect unit practice.
Identify performance areas needing improvement through ongoing communication with a supervisor, accept constructive criticism, and implement corrective action.
Meet personnel policy guidelines for punctuality.