Patient Observation Attendant

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The Patient Observation Attendant ("POA") is responsible for observing assigned patients. The POA will place the patient in a safe environment for continual observance/monitoring. Any changes in the patient's physical or mental behaviors will be reported to assigned nurse. POA must have the ability to sit for long periods of times, assist patient to restroom and other locations as needed.

Essential Job Duties:

• Performs tasks as delegated by the Professional Nurse and physicians.
• Recognizes and reports changes in patient behavior to the Registered Nurse.
• Reports location of patient when requested.
• Monitors and restocks supplies in patient’s room as needed.
• Retrieves medical records and supplies.
• Maintains patient comfort, safety and privacy.
• Assists with repositioning of patient as needed and every two hours. Assist feeding of patient’s at low risk of aspiration as directed by charge nurse.
• Escorts patient to procedures and report back to Charge nurse whilst patient is away from unit.
• Receive and give handoff report at shift change; handoff to include patient’s who are at risk for falls, wandering patients and patients at risk of self harm or harm to others.
• Sitter must stay with patient at ALL TIMES during shift. Our priority is to ensure patient safety and comfort. Patient must be escorted within Coast Plaza Hospital, sitter may not leave premises with patient. .
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Assist in maintaining effective communication with patient, family and multi-disciplinary team members.
• Maintains effective communication with patient, family and multi-disciplinary team members according to level of care delegated.
• Responds to patient and visitor questions and needs immediately and within established standards.

Behavioral Standards:

• Recognizes patients/guests immediately.
• Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation, respect, and sensitivity toward patients, visitors, physicians and fellow employees.
• Fosters guest relations by maintaining an atmosphere of interdepartmental cooperation by displaying initiative and offering of assistance within job description.
• Acts responsibly, logically and appropriately in both normal and stressful situations.

Communication/Knowledge:

• Provides accurate and timely written and verbal communication of clinical information in a manner that is understood by all involved in the delivery of patient care.
• Able to listen, understand, problem-solve, and carry-out duties to ensure the optimal patient care outcomes.

Minimum Education/Experience:

• High School Graduate

Required License(s) and Certification(s):

• BCLS

• Managing of Assaulted behavior (MAB)

ADA CONSIDERATION: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Such accommodations must be requested by the employee/applicant in order to be considered.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical information, and to be easily understood through verbal communication in the English language. Must be able to prepare documentation in a manner that conforms to prescribed style and format, and to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Bilingual skills (Spanish) preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to perform these operations using units of weight measurement, volume, and distance. Ability to perform upper level mathematical operations, including algebra and geometry, frequent distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory and factor analysis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is regularly required to lift, push and/or pull weights in excess of 10 pounds. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds, with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate