Patient Sitter (PRN)

Lifepoint Health•Mcminnville, OR

34d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Sitter provides direct observation of assigned patients and communicates observations to the RN and other patient care team members to support care planning and maintain standards of care. The role helps maintain a safe environment for medical patients who require close supervision, including patients with behavioral health issues, and works under the RN’s direct supervision. The sitter must remain within arm’s length of the patient, maintain a continuous and unobstructed view, and stay with the patient until physically relieved by another staff member. The sitter accompanies patients to tests and procedures off the unit and accompanies surgical patients to the Holding Area. The role includes attempting to prevent patients from removing lines or tubes or getting out of bed when bed rest is ordered. With RN approval and as permitted by the patient’s activity level, the sitter may assist with bathroom use, ambulation, feeding, fluids, meals, and basic comfort needs. Sitters do not adjust or remove restraints and must immediately notify the nurse if a patient reports discomfort. The sitter is relieved for breaks and meals and may not leave the patient before being relieved. The position also includes inspection, decontamination, assembly, and sterilization of instruments and other patient care equipment in accordance with processing guidelines and AAMI, AORN, TJC, and OSHA requirements. The sitter must remain composed with distressed or combative patients, respond promptly to changing situations, and use critical thinking and decisive judgment. Personal calls and personal cell phone use are not permitted while on duty.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 30 days of hire.
Ability to sit, stand, bend, brace, and lift at a moment’s notice.
Ability to remain calm during escalation or high-stress situations and maintain composure with distressed or combative patients.
Critical-thinking skills and decisive judgment.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Must not make or receive personal phone calls or use a personal cell phone while on duty.

Responsibilities

Provide direct, continuous, and unobstructed observation of assigned patients and communicate relevant input to the RN and other patient care team members.
Help maintain standards of care and a safe environment for patients requiring close supervision, including patients with behavioral health issues.
Perform assigned duties under the direct supervision of the RN.
Remain within arm’s length of the patient until relieved by the RN or another staff member; do not leave the patient before being physically relieved.
Accompany patients to tests and 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 with bathroom use when the activity level permits and the RN approves, keeping the bathroom door open and maintaining direct view of the patient.
Assist with ambulation, feeding, fluids, meals, and basic comfort needs when approved by the nurse and appropriate to the patient’s condition.
Notify the nurse immediately if a patient reports discomfort related to restraints; do not adjust or remove restraints.
Complete inspection, decontamination, assembly, and sterilization of instruments and other patient care equipment in accordance with applicable processing guidelines and standards.
Remain composed with distressed or combative patients and respond promptly to changing situations.
Notify the nurse if an emergency requires the sitter to be relieved to make a phone call.
Remain with the patient during breaks and meals until physically relieved by another staff member.