SITTER - ACUTE CARE DEPARTMENTS

San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital•Banning, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Acute Care Sitter provides continuous observation and support for assigned patients in nursing units who require enhanced safety monitoring because of fall risk, confusion, behavioral health risk, elopement risk, medical condition, intoxication, or other safety concerns. Under the direction of licensed nursing staff, the Sitter helps maintain a safe environment, reports changes promptly, supports patient dignity and privacy, and follows hospital policies, regulatory requirements, and emergency department procedures. The position may involve day, evening, night, weekend, holiday, on-call, per-diem, overtime, or variable shifts based on staffing and patient safety needs. It is classified as non-exempt and eligible for overtime under applicable federal and California law. Competitive compensation is based on experience, education, certifications, and applicable licensure; no salary range is stated. Benefits eligibility varies by employment status.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from an approved provider is required within the timeframe established by hospital policy.
Completion of hospital-approved sitter, patient safety attendant, suicide precaution, workplace violence prevention, infection prevention, and privacy training is required before independent assignment.
Crisis prevention, de-escalation, or behavioral health safety training is required within the timeframe established by hospital policy.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform essential duties and communicate patient safety concerns.
Strong observation skills and ability to remain attentive for extended periods.
Ability to follow directions from licensed clinical staff and escalate concerns promptly.
Professional, calm, and respectful communication with diverse patients, families, and staff.
Basic understanding of patient safety, fall prevention, infection prevention, confidentiality, and emergency department workflow.
Ability to maintain boundaries and perform duties within assigned scope.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-acuity emergency department environment.
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods during assigned shifts; remain alert and observe continuously; respond quickly to safety concerns; and hear alarms, verbal instructions, and patient requests in a busy emergency department.
Ability to push, pull, bend, reach, and assist with non-clinical activity within training and hospital policy.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent is preferred unless otherwise required by hospital policy.
Current crisis prevention, de-escalation, or behavioral health safety certification is preferred.
Prior experience in an acute care hospital, emergency department, behavioral health, security, patient care, caregiving, or customer service setting is preferred.
Additional language skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide continuous visual observation of assigned patients according to the observation level ordered or directed by the registered nurse.
Maintain a safe patient environment and promptly report hazards, unsafe behaviors, changes in condition, attempts to leave, fall risks, agitation, and risks of self-harm or harm to others.
Immediately notify licensed nursing staff of patient needs, behavioral changes, escalating safety concerns, requests for assistance, or clinical changes.
Remain with assigned patients, including during transport, diagnostic testing, toileting, and other activities, unless relieved by authorized staff.
Provide non-clinical comfort measures and basic needs within scope and training, such as maintaining call-light access, assisting with positioning as directed, setting up meals, offering reassurance, and keeping personal items within reach.
Follow hospital policies related to suicide precautions, behavioral health observation, restraints and seclusion support, workplace violence prevention, infection prevention, patient privacy, and emergency response.
Use trained de-escalation and communication techniques and promptly seek assistance when patient behavior escalates.
Accurately and promptly document observations, patient activity, safety checks, and other required information in accordance with hospital policy.
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, California privacy requirements, and hospital confidentiality standards.
Communicate respectfully with patients, families, visitors, nurses, physicians, security, behavioral health staff, and other care team members.
Participate in required training, competency validation, safety drills, and department meetings.