Patient Safety Associate (Clarkston)

McLaren Health Care•Clarkston, MI

About The Position

Under the supervision of an RN, the Patient Safety Associate provides close, continuous observation of patients who may be at risk for adverse events such as falls, self-injury, or harm to others. The associate helps maintain a safe and clean environment and assists with activities of daily living unless the patient’s needs make adverse health consequences predictable. The associate receives a verbal report from the patient’s nurse about identified care needs, diagnosis, visual, auditory, or language barriers, and special considerations. The associate remains positioned at the patient’s bedside to maintain constant visual observation and does not leave the patient alone or out of sight unless specifically instructed by the nurse. The associate follows nursing instructions regarding ambulation limitations and redirection, accompanies patients during off-unit testing or procedures as directed, and remains within arm’s length unless otherwise directed by the person performing the test or procedure. The role also includes supporting patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction; maintaining an orderly patient environment; cooperating with the care team and responding to changing patient or unit needs; communicating professionally and respectfully; recording collected data accurately and legibly; and notifying the RN of untoward events.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED (listed under Preferred).
Completion of a nursing assistant program (listed under Preferred).
One year of related experience (listed under Preferred).

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
Completion of a nursing assistant program.
One year of related experience.

Responsibilities

Obtain a verbal report from the patient’s nurse about care needs, diagnosis, sensory or language barriers, and special considerations.
Maintain constant visual observation of the patient from the bedside and never leave the patient alone or out of sight unless instructed by the nurse.
Follow the nurse’s instructions about ambulation limitations and how to redirect the patient.
Accompany patients during off-unit testing or procedures as required and remain within arm’s length unless otherwise directed by the person performing the test or procedure.
Promote patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction and maintain a safe, orderly patient environment.
Cooperate as a team member and respond to the responsible nurse’s direction as patient or unit needs change.
Serve as a runner or transport patients during patient or environmental emergencies as directed.
Communicate professionally and respectfully with patients, families or significant others, and other healthcare members.
Record collected data accurately and legibly and notify the RN of untoward events, including behavioral changes or violent behavior.
Perform other related duties as required and directed.