Patient Safety Observer

The Patient Safety Observer (One To One Sitter) performs one to one observation with patients admitted for an attempted suicide, with patients considered actively suicidal and on all patients who may harm themselves or for other safety reasons.

Supervised and/or reportable to the following:

     -  Resource Manager

• Responsibilities for patients at risk for suicide, self-injury, harm to others, and disorientation:
• Must be within arms length of the patient at all times, unless other-wise directed by the charge RN.
• Must be able to visually monitor patient at all times.
• Must continuously observe and physically accompany patient to the bathrooms or
• when patient has to  go off the unit for tests.
• Must make every effort to respect the dignity of the patient.
• May not leave the patient unattended for any period of time unless relieved by another staff member.
• If assistance is needed, the sitter must call out for help.  If situation is not an emergency, sitter may use call night or telephone in room.
• Must maintain verbal contact with the patient while awake to provide ongoing monitoring of communication indicating suicidal thoughts, and observe for sudden changes in behavior, and other changes in behavior which may indicate suicide potential.
• Must report any significant changes in physical and mental status, such as sudden changes in behavior and/or verbalization suicidal thoughts and behavior to the assigned RN immediately.
• Must report verbalizations and/or behaviors of;  self-injury, harming others, self-harm or attempts to leave the hospital to the assigned RN immediately.
• Demonstrates awareness of potentially hazardous items and informs all Medical Center personnel entering the patient's room to leave any hazardous items outside the room.
• Assist patient with Activities of daily living (ADLS)
• Continuously monitors environment for potentially hazardous items and reports presence of hazardous items to assigned RN.
• Obtains assistance appropriately, according to situations:
• Demonstrates awareness of:
• The behaviors/verbalizations and patient issues that require reporting to the charge or assigned RN., and immediacy of need to report this information.
  • Manages emergency situations safely:
• Reports emergency situations immediately and appropriately.
• Intervenes with patient appropriately.
• Responsibilities when patient is in restraints:
  • Performs safety checks by checking restrained extremities at least every 15 minutes for;  restraint intact circulation, comfort, and body alignment.
  • Documents safety checks on the restraint observation and documentation record  and/or medical/surgical flow sheet.
  • Notifies charge RN./assigned RN. if restraints need adjustment.

Minimum Education: 

High school diploma or equivalency.

Minimum Skills and Abilities:

Able to communicate verbally and in writing in the English Language.

Able to lift, transfer and move patients.

Certification/Licensure:    

Must attend 1:1 observation class.

Training: 

Successful completion of 1:1 observation class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans