PRN - Unit Support Associate - I​/P Psych Unit

Job Description Description

In collaboration with and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse the Unit Support Associate will assist in activities directly related to the care of patients and operation of the unit. This will include but is not limited to providing direct 1:1 observation of patients related to safety or behavioral issues. Support the unit function by assisting in the maintenance of supplies, operations

High School Diploma or GED (Required)

• Basic computer skills (Preferred)

Previous pediatric or childcare experience - 2 years (preferred)

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS) (Required)

• Maintain environmental safety through room sweep and checklist
• Adhere to principles of pediatric safety through use of handrails, seat belts and direct observation.
• Never leave patient unattended
• Intervene quickly to calm, redirect, reorient patient, or guide patient to prevent harm to self or others.
• Remain in patient room unless relieved by nurse or another Unit support associate
• Accompany patient for any procedures off the unit
• Engage patient in distracting, age appropriate goal oriented behavior, provide activities and conversations that are distracting and therapeutic (discuss with bedside RN)
• Assist with linen changes and room stocking
• Assist in activities of daily living, including but not limited to washing, toileting, position changes and assistance with meals
• Maintain universal precautions
• Assist with providing breaks as directed by Charge Nurse

• Keep room clean and tidy
• When not responsible for direct patient observation stock unit, nurse servers, carts etc as directed by charge nurse.
• Monitor common unit areas for cleanliness, stock par levels and supplies
• Reports safety hazards to staff i.e. broken furniture/broken equipment
• Assist in a variety of unit support activities as directed by Charge Nurse i.e. room set up, answer call bells, customer service activities.

• Reports pertinent patient information and call for assistance if the patient develops destructive behaviors i.e. pulling lines.
• With RN establishes priorities for individual patient communicates with team members in establishing priority tasks.
• Maintains regular communication with RN related to assigned duties and patient behavior; preforms activities within prescribed scope, seeks clarification when needed
• Immediately report escalating behaviors to RN
• Confers with RN when confronted with unfamiliar patient care issue.
• Ensure information sharing when handing off to new Safety attendant

District of Columbia-Washington

CN Hospital (Main Campus) 111 Michigan Avenue NW Washington 20010

Nursing

Ctr Neuroscience & Behav Med

Position Status: R (Regular) - O - PRN

Shift: Variable

Work Schedule:

Variable; D/E/N

Feb 25, 2026, 9:51:46 AM

36400 - 67995.2

Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The “Know Your Rights” poster is available here: and the pay transparency policy is available here:

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Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a “drug-free” work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children's National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.