Patient Safety Assistant - UTMB School of Nursing

*Applicants must be a UTMB School of Nursing Student for consideration*

Minimum Qualifications:  

• High school or equivalent. No experience required.
• CPR/BCLS certified or eligible.

Job Summary:

To provide continuous observation and to redirect unsafe patient behaviors. To appropriately document on activity of an assigned patient who has been identified as having increased risk for injury. Works with the multidisciplinary team through clear and timely communications and ensure completion of activities related to patient’s safety, care, and comfort. Prevents patient from harming themselves or removing medical equipment that could delay the care. Reports directly to the assigned patient’s nurse and/or charge nurse, working to promote safety in patient care as part of the nursing care team.

Job Duties:

• Prior to the start of the shift, receives a report from the assigned nursing care team member on the following:
  • The patient’s name and any pertinent social information regarding the family, 
  • The reason that the patient has been assigned a Patient Safety Assistant, and o Specific concerns (as identified in the medical record, by family members, by the previous shift’s staff, etc.) regarding the patient’s safety needs. 
• Next observation documentation due
• Documents and reports sequential events on the appropriate records and communicates patient’s needs or specific changes to the assigned nurse and/or charge nurse per policy on 1:1 and/or continuous observation patients
• Assists with patient specific safety precautions (falls, suicide, elopement, assault)
• Helps prepare room for psychiatric, Suicide Ideation/Homicide Ideation patients. Locates and utilizes Suicide Risk Safety Checklist & Guidelines
• Collects, reports and documents data related to patient needs/ emergencies to nursing care team Appropriately notifies nursing staff if patient requires intervention or in case of emergency
• Accompanies patient when leaving the unit unless otherwise instructed by the patient’s assigned nurse and/or charge nurse.
• Does not leave the patient unattended at any time.
• Practices positive guest and peer relations through effective and courteous communication.
• Provides age-appropriate interactions.
• Provides simple comfort measures that increases engagement and redirect behavior that do not interfere with the primary role of continuous observation of the patient.
• Maintains patient’s privacy and confidentiality of information at all times.
• Participates in developmental goal setting and attends in-services and ongoing educational programs to promote self-development and growth.
• Adheres to internal controls established for department.