Patient Safety Associate - Inpatient Behavioral Health

Independence Health System Careers•Latrobe, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Safety Associate provides observation, companionship, and support to patients who require supervision, including patients in inpatient behavioral health. Under the direction of the nurse responsible for the patient’s care, the associate maintains continuous visual observation and a safe environment, documents observations, and helps prevent falls, self-injury, and removal or dislodgement of treatment devices. Duties also include providing basic assistance and social interaction, supporting families and visitors, delivering supplies and dietary trays, and identifying and reporting safety concerns. The incumbent may be scheduled according to operational needs, including rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work, and may travel locally between system locations. Lifting requirements over 50 pounds require two-person assistance and/or a transfer device.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Perform duties for a patient as directed by the nurse responsible for the patient’s care.
Maintain an unobstructed view of the patient while sitting in the patient’s room.
Provide fluids and assist with meal trays, basic grooming such as combing hair, and ambulation in the patient room.
Do not assist with shaving, showers, bathing, or incontinence care.
Provide socialization and diversion, including games, cards, television, and reading.
Provide and maintain a safe environment; discourage and deter removal or dislodgement of treatment devices and medical apparatus, falls, climbing out of bed, and injury to self.
Accompany patients to testing in other areas of the hospital.
Provide supervision, companionship, or diversion as needed and document continuous visual observations on the safety report sheet.
Deliver equipment and supplies to nursing units and deliver dietary trays.
Support waiting families and visitors in waiting rooms, hold areas, and emergency departments, and provide friendly patient visitation services.
Declutter patient rooms and ensure patient belongings are within reach.
Conduct quick perimeter checks of patient rooms, identify areas of concern, and report them to appropriate staff.
Visit with patients identified by the nurse manager who may want or benefit from social interaction.
Perform other duties as assigned.