PATIENT SAFETY ASSOCIATE - INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Independence Health System•Latrobe, PA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves providing direct patient care and ensuring a safe environment for patients, particularly those in an inpatient behavioral health setting. The associate will perform duties as directed by the nurse, including constant observation of patients, providing basic assistance with grooming and meals, and ensuring the patient's safety by preventing removal of medical devices and self-harm. The position also includes accompanying patients to tests, supporting families, delivering equipment and trays, and performing room checks. A key aspect of the role is providing constant observation, defined as continuous visual watch within arm's length while the patient is awake, requiring a dedicated staff member at all times. The associate will also contribute to a Lean work culture by seeking process improvements and demonstrating commitment to the organization's mission, vision, and values.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age.
Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Act 33 with renewal
Act 34 with renewal
Act 73 FBI Clearance

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a patient care setting.
Good observation and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Performs duties for an irrational patient as directed by the nurse responsible for the care of the patient.
Sits in patient's room with an unobstructed view of the patient at all times.
Provides fluids.
Assists with meal tray.
Assists with basic grooming (combing hair) and ambulation in patient room. Will not assist with shaving, showers, bathing, and incontinence care.
Provides socialization, games, cards, TV, reading.
Provides for and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
Discourages and deters removal/dislodgement of treatment devices/medical apparatus (IVs, feeding tubes, dressings, etc.).
Discourages and deters falls, climbing out of bed or injury to self.
Accompanies patient to testing in other areas of the hospital.
Provides a safe environment for a patient who is requiring supervision, companionship and/or diversion.
Provides constant observation and documents observations on safety report sheet. Constant observation is defined as: continuous visual watch of a patient, within-arm’s length while patient is awake, at all time, requiring a dedicated staff member in attendance at all times.
Delivers equipment/supplies to nursing units.
Delivers dietary trays.
Provides support to waiting families/visitors in waiting rooms, hold areas and emergency departments.
Provide friendly patient visitation services.
Declutter patient rooms.
Ensure patient belongings are within reach.
Perform quick perimeter checks of patient rooms and identify areas of concern; report to appropriate staff to be addressed.
May visit with patients identified by nurse manager on unit who would like or benefit from a social interaction.
Other duties as assigned.