Patient Safety Aide (Patient Sitter) - Tappahannock Hospital Med Surg - Rotating

The Patient Safety Associate (PSA) provides 1:1 safety observation and basic direct patient care, under the direction of the RN to include, but not limited to direct visual observation, verbal re-direction, safety checks, environment check care and comfort, recording of vital signs, personal care and hygiene, ADLs and mobility/fall prevention. The PSA serves as a liaison between patient and nurse to report concerns or changes to nurse on duty, providing customer service to patient, patient family and visitors and if applicable, provides documentation for patient care. Essential Function Provides 1:1 safety observation for patients requiring safety observation, including, but not limited to high risk suicidal, psychiatric, medical and surgical compromised patients with dementia, delirium, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse withdrawal and other diagnoses for potential patient harm. Provides the appropriate verbal intervention/de-escalation with the patient, Provides patient with explanation of care as necessary, but does not counsel or offer opinion. Maintains environment conductive to patient safety and recovery, including, but not limited to safety checks, environment of care room checks for ligature points and contraband, keeping patient room clean and organized, changing bed linens, and emptying linen bins. Under the direction of RN or independent licensed practitioner, the Patient Safety Associate provides safe and direct care to patients on their assigned units making age appropriate adjustments as needed. Care is given to patients with and without medical complications to meet their comfort, ADL’s, such as personal hygiene IE: bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating and safety needs. Care will be in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and delivery per VCUHS Nursing and Hospital policy and procedure. Upon discovery, the Patient Safety Associate immediately reports any incident posing harm or threat to a patient to the supervising RN or independent licensed practitioner. Under the direction of an RN or independent licensed practitioner, the Patient Safety Associate identifies own learning needs and demonstrates a commitment to meeting those needs. Work behaviors comply with written clinical and administrative directives. Individual communication skills are demonstrated in all interactions with members of the healthcare team. Interaction problems with co-workers are resolved at time of occurrence or reported to supervisor. Attends staff meetings or reads minutes as evidenced by signature on minutes. Participates in mandatory CA activities and unit-based QA/CQI activities. Using established written, oral and electronic communication systems, the Patient Safety Associate documents patient care and clinical support activities in accordance with VCUHS Hospital and Nursing policies, procedures and standards of care within specified time frames. Documentation completed for 100% of assigned patients and pertinent patient observations reported to the supervising RN or independent licensed practitioner. Performs other duties as assigned and/or participates in special projects in order to support the mission of VCUHS and department; Provides assistance to team members; Accepts alternate assignments, as required, graciously. Required Education: High school diploma or GED Preferred Education: Certified Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant program Current enrollment (or planned) in accredited school in healthcare and/or humanities related associates or baccalaureate IE: Nursing, Medical, PT/OT, Pharmacy, Health Administration, Dental, Nutrition, PA, Psychology, Sociology, Biology, Chemistry, Forensics Licensure/Certification Required: Current AHA BLC HCP certification Licensure/Certification Preferred: Certified Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: ONE-year experience as a certified nurse assistant or medical assistant. ONE-year experience in healthcare related field with direct patient care Rotating EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4. Who We Are Inventing better care, day by day by discovery Sound outrageous? It absolutely is. Sound impossible? That’s never stopped us before. Sound like hard work, intense research, collaboration with experts around the world, sheer brainpower meets unrelenting willpower? That’s. Exactly. Right. We’ll do whatever it takes to offer the best in care and empower the best in quality of life. And it’s an approach that works — whether it’s a patient who undergoes a new, life-saving procedure or a clinical researcher who finds promise in a new cancer treatment, exciting new medicine is happening at VCU Health. We have it all: • One college and four health sciences schools • An academic medical center • A Level I trauma center • One of only two NCI-designated cancer centers in Virginia • The region’s only full-service children’s hospital • More than 800 physicians in 200 specialties • With a community health center, dedicated research teams, facilities and valued partners in every field Our medical teams are top notch. And we’re not too shy to boast of internationally known physicians, some recognized as the best in the country, top-ranked local specialists and all-around all-stars at every level. From our very first years to our most recent advancements, we are driven to learn more, dig deeper, teach passionately and never rest in order to be a true leader in discovering what’s possible in health and recovery. We are a comprehensive system of care and a pioneer of health. Read VCU Health Year In Review for more about our accomplishments.