Patient Observation Assistant

Join a team that delivers excellence. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is home to nearly 23,000 colleagues who make up our talented, vibrant and diverse workforce. Join our team and experience firsthand what it's like to be part of a nationally recognized, forward‑thinking health care organization with plenty of opportunity to do great work. Imagine a career at one of the nation's most advanced health networks.

Be part of an exceptional health care experience. LVHN has been ranked among the "Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years. We are a Magnet(tm) Hospital, having received the American Nurses Credentialing Center's prestigious distinction for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes in our region. Our hospitals have received an "A" grade on the Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group in 2020, the highest grade in patient safety.

These recognitions highlight LVHN's commitment to teamwork, compassion, and technology with an unrelenting focus on delivering the best health care possible every day.

Participates in the collaborative identification and reporting of patient safety issues. Provides continuous observation or constant roving to observe and intervene when risky patient behaviors are identified. Communicates with patients to deescalate tense situations, verbal communication with care team members, and documents in the patient's electronic medical record in regular intervals. Performs or assists patients with ADLs, meals, and ambulates patients.

Ensures that the patient environment is safe and reports any safety hazards to the nurse. Provides continuous, direct, one‑to‑one patient visual and audible observation of patients of all ages to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.

• Takes initiative in compassionately rendering services or responding to needs and interacts hospitably, cheerfully, and supportively with staff, patients, visitors, and work colleagues.
• Seeks help or advice as soon as possible when patient appears to be in medical distress or poses a threat, and escalates to assigned medical professionals.
• Assists patient with ordering dietary tray and setting up of patient's meal tray and assists with basic positioning of patient.
• Participates in hand‑off of pertinent information/behavior about assigned patient when arriving on unit and upon completion of shift assignment.
• Assists with patient wheelchair rides and/or ambulation if the patient is stable and gait has been previously determined safe.
• Assists in completing specific direct patient care tasks.
• Responds rapidly and thoroughly to emergencies, and special needs.
• Provides continuous direct one‑to‑one patient observation.
• Documents observations in the patient's electronic medical record in regular intervals.

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Ability to recognize and report data reflective of the patient's status and identify each patient's specific needs.
• Ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods.
• Knowledge of the principles of growth and development through the life span.
• Knowledge of department policies and procedures.
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania within 30 Days.
• Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED - State of Pennsylvania within 30 Days.

• Successful completion of a Crisis Management Course.
• Less than 1 year of experience in a healthcare setting.

Lift and carry 40-50 lbs. Examples: push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient's weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking. Patient transporters can walk 8-10 miles per shift. Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.

This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or…