Patient Sitter

Lifepoint Health•Rutherfordton, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

A Patient Sitter provides direct observation of assigned patients and contributes to care planning through communication with the RN and other patient care team members. The sitter helps maintain the standard of care and a safe environment for medical patients requiring close supervision, including patients with behavioral health issues. The role performs assigned duties under the direct supervision of the RN and requires calm, confident conduct during stressful situations, including interactions with distressed or combative patients. The sitter maintains continuous, unobstructed visual observation and remains within arm’s length of the patient until relieved by the RN. The sitter accompanies patients to off-unit tests and procedures and accompanies surgical patients to the Holding Area. The role may provide limited assistance with approved activities such as toileting, ambulation, feeding, and comfort, and may engage patients in conversation or simple activities. Patient requests for assistance are referred to nursing staff. The sitter must protect patient dignity and privacy, follow safety and organizational policies, and remain with the patient until physically relieved by another staff member. Reports to the Director of Emergency Department. The position is classified as non-exempt. Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens is present for all employees.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience is required.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is 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, confident manner and ability to remain composed during escalation, high stress, or interactions 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.

Responsibilities

Continuously observe assigned patients, maintaining an unobstructed view and remaining within arm’s length until relieved by the RN.
Help maintain a safe environment and attempt to prevent patients from removing lines or tubes or getting out of bed when bed rest is ordered.
Notify the nurse immediately if a patient reports discomfort; do not adjust or remove restraints.
Accompany patients to tests and procedures off the unit and accompany surgical patients to the Holding Area.
Assist with bathroom use when the patient’s activity level permits and the RN approves; keep the bathroom door open and maintain direct observation.
Assist with ambulation, feeding, fluids, meals, and basic comfort tasks when directed or approved by the nurse.
Engage patients through conversation, reading to them, games, cards, or television as appropriate.
Refer patient requests for assistance to nursing staff using the call bell system.
Protect patient dignity and privacy, including keeping the patient covered and the room door closed as appropriate.
Do not make or receive personal phone calls or use a personal cell phone 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 during breaks and meals until physically relieved by another staff member.
Communicate with the RN and other patient care team members and complete assigned duties under the RN’s direct supervision.
Follow organizational policies and philosophies, including attendance, safety, customer needs, continuous improvement, process focus, communication, patient privacy, teamwork, dress and hygiene, and annual training requirements.