Patient Safety Observer - 36 hours, Nights (BMC Brighton)

Boston Medical Center•Brighton, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Safety Observer (One To One Sitter) performs one to one observation with patients admitted for an attempted suicide, with patients considered actively suicidal and on all patients who may harm themselves or for other safety reasons.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Must obtain BLS certification from American Heart Association by the time of employment start
Ability to effectively speak, read and write using the English language

Nice To Haves

Related work experience preferred

Responsibilities

Must be within arm’s length of the patient at all times, unless other-wise directed by the charge RN.
Must be able to visually monitor patient at all times.
Must continuously observe and physically accompany patient to the bathrooms or when patient has to go off the unit for tests.
Must make every effort to respect the dignity of the patient.
May not leave the patient unattended for any period of time unless relieved by another staff member.
If assistance is needed, the sitter must call out for help.
If situation is not an emergency, sitter may use call night or telephone in room.
Must maintain verbal contact with the patient while awake to provide ongoing monitoring of communication indicating suicidal thoughts, and observe for sudden changes in behavior, and other changes in behavior which may indicate suicide potential.
Must report any significant changes in physical and mental status, such as sudden changes in behavior and/or verbalization suicidal thoughts and behavior to the assigned RN. immediately.
Must report verbalizations and/or behaviors of; self-injury, harming others, self-harm or attempts to leave the hospital to the assigned RN. immediately.
Demonstrates awareness of potentially hazardous items and informs all Medical Center personnel entering the patient's room to leave any hazardous items outside the room.
Continuously monitors environment for potentially hazardous items and reports presence of hazardous items to assigned RN.
Obtains assistance appropriately, according to situations: Demonstrates awareness of behaviors/verbalizations of patient issues that require reporting to the charge or assigned RN and immediacy of need to report this information.
Manages emergency situations safely
Reports emergency situations immediately and appropriately.
Intervenes with patient appropriately.
Performs safety checks by checking restrained extremities at least every 15 minutes for; restraint intact circulation, comfort, and body alignment
Documents safety checks on the restraint observation and documentation record and/or medical/surgical flow sheet.
Notifies charge RN. /Assigned RN of patient physical adjustment needed