PATIENT SAFETY ASSOCIATE

Job Details

Description

Job Summary:

The Patient Safety Associate provides a safe environment for a patient who is requiring supervision, companionship and/or diversion. The Patient Safety Associate may also assist with other clinical and non-clinical routine tasks, including observation documentation, to ensure the effective delivery of services to patients and other customers of Excela Health. The Patient Safety Associate may be required to travel between sites as needed.

Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one’s own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Excela’s missions, vision and values.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Essential Functions: Defined as duties specific to the job, that, if removed, would change the entire purpose of the job; to include the Essential Physical Demands and Essential Working Conditions of this position.

I. Core Essential Functions:

• Regular, consistent, on-site, and timely attendance.
• Performs duties for an irrational patient as directed by the nurse responsible for the care of the patient.
• Sits in patient's room with an unobstructed view of the patient at all times.
• Provides fluids.
• Assists with meal tray.
• Assists with basic grooming (combing hair) and ambulation in patient room. Will not assist with shaving, showers, bathing, and incontinence care.
• Provides socialization, games, cards, TV, reading.
• Provides for and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
• Discourages and deters removal/dislodgement of treatment devices/medical apparatus (IVs, feeding tubes, dressings, etc.).
• Discourages and deters falls, climbing out of bed or injury to self.
• Accompanies patient to testing in other areas of the hospital.
  

Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart (see attached chart).

II. Specialty Essential Functions:

• Provides a safe environment for a patient who is requiring supervision, companionship and/or diversion.
• Provides constant observation and documents observations on safety report sheet. Constant observation is defined as: continuous visual watch of a patient, within-arm’s length while patient is awake, at all time, requiring a dedicated staff member in attendance at all times.
• Delivers equipment/supplies to nursing units.
• Delivers dietary trays.
• Provides support to waiting families/visitors in waiting rooms, hold areas and emergency departments.
• Provide friendly patient visitation services.
• Declutter patient rooms.
• Ensure patient belongings are within reach.
• Perform quick perimeter checks of patient rooms and identify areas of concern; report to appropriate staff to be addressed.
• May visit with patients identified by nurse manager on unit who would like or benefit from a social interaction.
  

IV. Marginal Functions: Defined as duties that are not essential in nature and do not take a considerable amount of time to complete (less than 10%).

• Performs other duties as required.
  
  

V. Required Skills and Knowledge: Minimum level of education, skills and abilities necessary in performing the job.

Education:

• HS Diploma, GED or equivalent knowledge
  
  

Certification / Licensure / Regulation:

• PA Act 153 Clearances (Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system, Act 33-PA Child Abuse History obtained through the Department of Public Welfare, Act 73-FBI Fingerprint screening)
  
  

Prior Experience:

• None Required
  
  

Other Skills And Abilities:

• Ability to communicate with all members of the health care team
  
  

Preferred Factor:

These are job related enhancements that are preferred or would benefit the performance outcome of the job but are not essential or required for the job to exist.

• Previous experience in a patient care setting. Good observation and interpersonal skills.
  
  

The above job descriptive information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, as an employee may be assigned other duties other than described in this document.

Work Environment

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

X

Extreme Cold

x

Heights

x

Confined Spaces

x

Extreme Noise(>85dB)

x

Mechanical Hazards

x

Use of Vibrating Tools

x

Operates Vehicle

x

Operates Heavy Equipment

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

Rotates All Shifts

x

8 Hours Shifts

x

10-12 Hours Shifts

x

On-Call

x

Overtime( 8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)

x

Travel Between Sites

X

Direct Patient Care

X

Respirator Protective Equipment

X

Eye Protection

X

Head Protection (hard hat)

X

Hearing Protection

x

X

Hand Protection

Feet, Toe Protection

X

x

Body Protection

X

Latex Exposure

X

Solvent Exposure

X

Paint (direct use) Exposure

X

Dust (sanding) Exposure

X

Ethylene Oxide Exposure

X

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

X

Blood/Body Fluid Exposure

X

Chemicals (direct use) Exposure

X

Mist Exposure

X

Wax Stripper (direct use)

X

Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure

X

Ionizing Radiation Exposure

X

Laser Exposure

x

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Bending (Stooping)

X

Sitting

X

Walking

X

Climbing Stairs

X

Climbing Ladders

X

Standing

X

Kneeling

X

Squatting (Crouching)

X

Twisting/Turning

X

Keyboard/Computer Operation

x

Gross Grasp

X

Fine Finger Manipulation

X

Hand/Arm Coordination

x

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

X

Carry

X

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

x

Seeing Near w/Acuity

x

Feeling (Sensation)

X

Color Vision

X

Hearing Clearly

X

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

X

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

X

Reaching Forward

x

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

###

X

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

###

X

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

###

X

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

###

X

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.