Safety Sitter - Emergency Department

Wellstar Health System•Austell, GA

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Safety Sitter role at Wellstar Cobb Hospital's Emergency Department primarily involves constant monitoring of patients requiring continuous observation. Responsibilities include observing and reporting patient behaviors that may interrupt medically necessary therapies or indicate changes in the patient's condition to the appropriate healthcare team members. The safety sitter operates under the direction of a registered nurse or clinical supervisor. This role focuses on enhancing the patient experience by collaborating with patients, families, and other care providers, offering excellent customer service, and assisting with daily living activities and comfort measures as needed. Safety sitters may also assist other healthcare providers with basic patient care functions such as ADLs, ambulation, and toileting. The position requires working in a fast-paced, potentially stressful environment, demanding keen observation, ongoing communication with the registered nurse and interdisciplinary team, and the ability to take direction while maintaining a compassionate, respectful, and helpful demeanor.

Requirements

High school diploma
Must attend and successfully complete the Wellstar training and Initial Competency Assessment within the first 30 days of employment
Basic Life Support or BLS - Instructor (required upon hire)
Ability to read, write, and speak the English language
Ability to hear and see alarms and digital readouts
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
Ability to collaborate with other healthcare providers in the provision of patient care
Ability to function in stressful and emergency situations is essential

Nice To Haves

Graduate from a CNA/CMA Program or completion of first semester nursing clinicals including nursing fundamentals
Previous healthcare experience

Responsibilities

Notify RN/Charge RN/CCP of potential or recent changes in the patients behavioral risk factors, or mental status as observed
Document patient status every 15 minutes on patients under observation for involuntary behavioral health patients and every hour for medical safety sitting
Evaluate secure environment for safety each shift. Document interventions as needed
Always Ensures direct visibility observation of patient
Tracks, delivers, maintains, and retrieves telesitter carts
Troubleshoots any cart connectivity issues and places an IT ticket if necessary
Performs safe room guideline checks upon initiation and upon every hand-off thereafter
Performs environmental rounds to ensure safe room guidelines are being maintained
Responds to remote telesitter escalation for face-to-face intervention
Notifies Nurse and/or charge Nurse when face to face redirection is required
Supports initiatives of the interdisciplinary care team
Practices accountability for patient safety
Proper verification of patient identification notification of RN upon leaving or returning to room when not needed for patient observation
Assist EVS Food services when not needed for patient observation
Supports an environment of healing or wellness for patients which includes addressing patient needs in partnership with the patient - engages the patient and family in compliance with the treatment plan
Effectively contributes to the plan of care or treatment intervention based on assigned tasks and patient/family input in collaboration with the healthcare team with a focus on the care continuum
Consistently implements safety interventions to minimize risk in achievement of intended outcomes
Provides basic patient care needs (ex. Hygiene, nutrition, elimination, physical comfort measures) as assigned
Assist RN and other members of health care team with care delivery as assigned
Notifies nurse when physician/interdisciplinary care team members arrive in observed patient room
Provides a safe environment for the provision of patient care
Consistent use of appropriate hand hygiene
Keeps patient rooms and unit areas clean and free of clutter
Follows appropriate PPE/Infection control policies e. Reinforces the importance of universal precautions with patient and patients family
Utilizes proper body mechanics and lift equipment
Performs environment of care rounds
Uses effective written and oral communication skills with patients, staff, physicians, family and visitors
Uses safety communication techniques
Communicates completion of assignment/duties to appropriate person
Communicates patient care concerns/problems/emergencies to the RN
Uses positive and respectful communication with all members of healthcare team, patients and families
Communicates with patient and updates white boards with information as requested