Patient Sitter (PRN)

Lifepoint Health•Mcminnville, OR

6h•Onsite

About The Position

A Patient Sitter provides direct patient observation and input in planning care through communication with the RN and other patient care team members. They are effectively involved with maintaining the standard of care for assigned patients through communication with the care team. The sitter maintains competency and possesses the skills to provide a safe environment to those medical patients requiring close supervision because of behavioral health issues. Duties are completed as assigned and performed under the direct supervision of the RN. The sitter provides inspection, decontamination, assembly, and sterilization of instruments and other patient care equipment in accordance with processing guidelines, AAMI, AORN, TJC, and OSHA requirements. The sitter must be physically able to sit, stand, bend, brace and lift at a moment's notice, maintain a calm confident manner, and be able to remain calm during moments of escalation or high stress. They must maintain composure with distressed or combative patient(s) and possess critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Sitters observe the patient and maintain a safe environment; they must always have continuous and unobstructed view of the patient. The sitter may not adjust or remove restraints. If the patient complains of discomfort, the sitter is to notify the nurse immediately. The sitter will accompany the patient for any test or procedures off the unit and will accompany surgical patients to the Holding Area. The sitter will remain within arm’s length of the patient until relieved by the RN. Sitters will attempt to prevent the patient from pulling out lines/tubes and attempt to prevent the patient from getting out of bed if there is an activity level of bed rest ordered. The sitter may assist the patient to the bathroom if activity level permits and RN approves, with the bathroom door remaining open and the sitter having direct view of the patient at all times. At the discretion of the nurse, the sitter may assist with ambulation and feeding, and should assist the patient with obtaining fluids, consuming meals, wiping their face, etc. The sitter may not make or receive personal phone calls while on duty or use a personal cell phone. In the case of an emergency, the sitter must notify the nurse that he/she needs to be relieved to make a phone call. The sitter may not leave until he/she has been relieved and will be relieved for breaks and meals but may not leave the patient until physically relieved by another staff member.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

Provides direct patient observation and input in planning care through communication with the RN and other patient care team members.
Maintains the standard of care for assigned patients through communication with the care team.
Provides a safe environment for medical patients requiring close supervision due to behavioral health issues.
Completes duties as assigned and performs duties under the direct supervision of the RN.
Provides inspection, decontamination, assembly, and sterilization of instruments and other patient care equipment.
Responds swiftly, physically able to sit, stand, bend, brace and lift at a moment's notice.
Maintains a calm, confident manner and remains calm during moments of escalation or high stress.
Maintains composure with distressed or combative patient(s).
Utilizes critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and works with minimal supervision.
Maintains continuous and unobstructed view of the patient at all times.
Does not adjust or remove restraints; notifies the nurse immediately if a patient complains of discomfort.
Accompanies the patient for any tests or procedures off the unit.
Accompanies surgical patients to the Holding Area.
Remains within arm’s length of the patient until relieved by the RN.
Attempts to prevent the patient from pulling out lines/tubes.
Attempts to prevent the patient from getting out of bed if activity level is bed rest.
May assist patient to the bathroom if activity level permits and RN approves, maintaining direct view.
May assist with ambulation and feeding at the discretion of the nurse.
Assists the patient with obtaining fluids, consuming meals, wiping their face, etc.
Does not make or receive personal phone calls or use personal cell phone while on duty.
Notifies the nurse in case of an emergency requiring a phone call.
Does not leave until physically relieved by another staff member.
Is relieved for breaks and meals but may not leave the patient until physically relieved.