Patient Sitter

Lifepoint Health•Rutherfordton, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

A Patient Sitter provides direct observation of assigned patients and contributes to care planning by communicating with the RN and other patient care team members. The sitter helps maintain the standard of care and a safe environment for patients who require close supervision because of behavioral health issues. The role performs assigned duties under the direct supervision of the RN and requires a calm, composed response to stressful situations, including patient distress or escalation. The position reports to the Director of Emergency Department and is classified as non-exempt. Sitters maintain a continuous, unobstructed view of the patient and remain within arm’s length until relieved by the RN. They accompany patients to tests or procedures off the unit and surgical patients to the Holding Area. They may provide limited assistance with activities such as bathroom use, ambulation, feeding, fluids, and meals when permitted by the patient’s activity level and approved by the RN. Sitters protect patient dignity and privacy, refer requests for assistance to nursing staff, and do not leave the patient until physically relieved by another staff member. The role requires a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience, and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification at hire. Employees must communicate clearly, observe carefully, respond swiftly, exercise critical thinking and decisive judgment, and work with minimal supervision in a stressful environment. Physical demands include frequent patient lifting/moving and other physical activities, as detailed in the posting.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required at the time of hire.
Clear communication, listening, and observation skills.
Ability to respond swiftly and physically sit, stand, bend, brace, and lift at a moment’s notice.
Calm and confident manner, including the ability to remain composed during escalation or high-stress situations and with distressed or combative patients.
Critical-thinking skills and decisive judgment.
Ability to work with minimal supervision in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
Ability to meet the physical demands listed, including frequent patient lifting/moving, reaching, repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements, and pushing/pulling.

Responsibilities

Observe the patient continuously and maintain a safe environment with an unobstructed view.
Remain within arm’s length of the patient until relieved by the RN.
Notify the nurse immediately if the patient reports discomfort related to restraints; do not adjust or remove restraints.
Accompany patients to tests or procedures off the unit and accompany surgical patients to the Holding Area.
Attempt to prevent patients from pulling out lines or tubes and from getting out of bed when bed rest is ordered.
Assist a patient with bathroom use when the activity level permits and the RN approves, keeping the door open and maintaining direct visual observation.
Assist with ambulation and feeding when directed by the nurse; help patients obtain fluids, consume meals, and attend to basic needs such as wiping their face.
Engage patients through conversation or activities such as reading to them, playing board games or cards, or turning on the television.
Refer patient requests for assistance to nursing staff through the call bell system.
Protect patient dignity and privacy, including keeping the patient covered and the room door closed as appropriate.
Avoid personal phone calls and personal cell phone use while on duty; request relief from the nurse in an emergency before making a call.
Read personal material only when the patient is asleep.
Remain with the patient until physically relieved by another staff member, including before breaks and meals.
Follow organizational policies and philosophies, including attendance, safety, customer needs, continuous improvement, process focus, communication, HIPAA/patient privacy, teamwork, dress code/hygiene, and completion of annual training.