Patient Safety Associate

McLaren Health Care•Port Huron, MI

18h

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, including falls, self-injury, or harm to others. The role helps maintain a safe and clean environment and assists patients with activities of daily living unless their needs make adverse health consequences predictable. The associate receives patient-care information from the nurse, maintains constant visual observation, follows instructions concerning ambulation and redirection, and accompanies patients during off-unit testing or procedures as directed. The role supports patient comfort and safety, keeps the environment orderly, cooperates with the care team, communicates respectfully, records observations accurately, and promptly notifies the RN of significant events or behavioral changes. The position supports the mission and vision of McLaren Port Huron, contributes to unit communication and operations, attends or reviews unit meeting information, and maintains competency through continued self-growth.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, including a high school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated ability to provide a safe and therapeutic environment appropriate to the ages of patients served.
Well-developed communication, listening, and customer service skills.
Demonstrated problem-solving ability and ability to work effectively with people.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Knowledge of HIPAA, including patient rights, privacy, and confidentiality.
Ability to understand, interpret, explain, and use data.
Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff.

Nice To Haves

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, visual, auditory, or language barriers, and special considerations.
Remain positioned at the patient’s bedside to maintain constant visual observation; do not leave the patient alone or out of sight unless specifically instructed by the nurse.
Obtain instructions from the nurse regarding ambulation limitations and how to redirect the patient when needed.
Accompany patients during off-unit testing and procedures and remain within arm’s length unless otherwise directed by the person performing the procedure; do not transport patients to testing or procedures off the unit.
Promote patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction, and maintain a safe, orderly patient environment.
Work cooperatively as a team member and respond to changing patient or unit needs as directed by the responsible nurse.
During patient or environmental emergencies, serve as a runner or transport patients when directed.
Communicate professionally and respectfully with patients, families or significant others, and other healthcare team 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.
Support McLaren Port Huron’s mission and vision through behaviors that reflect its values.
Attend at least 50% of unit meetings and read and initial the minutes for meetings not attended.
Contribute to effective communication and the efficient operational needs of the unit.
Pursue continued self-growth and maintain competency.