Patient Safety Observer, Nursing Administration- Per Diem

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** Exemption Status:
** Non-Exempt
** Hiring Range:**$15.00 - $21.16
** Schedule Details:
** Monday through Friday, Weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
** Scheduled

Hours:

** varies
* * Shift:
** 4 - Mixed Shift, 8 Hours (United States of America)
*
* Hours:

** 0
* * Cost Center:
** 25080 - 0152 MS & ED Patient Observers This position may have a signing bonus available a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.# #
** Everyone Is a Caregiver
** At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other.

And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

The Patient Safety Observer is responsible to provide continuous safety observation of patients to which they are assigned. The primary function in this role is to ensure patient safety and comfort. As part of the care team the Patient Observer may be asked to participate in supporting the patients with their activities of daily living, including, but not limited to, ambulating, feeding, and repositioning of patients as directed by nursing.

The Patient Safety Observer may engage with the patients if appropriate and can use casual talk, sensory box including cards, coloring books, games. All care is to be documented and communicated through report with the designated staff member. All issues/concerns are to be reported immediately to the licensed clinical charge person.

I. Major Responsibilities:  
1. Develops and maintains good human relations skills. Introduces self by name to the patient and engages in eye contact. Consistently displays a respectful, empathetic and caring attitude toward both the patients and their family members.  
2. Consistently observes for suicidal and/or violent behavior. Stays in close proximity of the patient and keeps them in the visual field at all times. Ensures patient safety at all times including while in the bathroom and when transported to other departments.  
3. Monitor visitors to ensure no unsafe materials are shared with the patient (weapons, illicit drugs, sharps).  4. Maintains 15-minute checks with documentation unless otherwise directed.  
5. Patient Safety Observers can monitor more than 1 patient if deemed appropriate by the licensed staff in charge.  
6. Follow the directions of the nurse in charge.  7. May transport patients if directed by the licensed staff in charge.  
8. When not observing a patient the patient safety observer can be used for other ancillary activities as directed by the nursing supervisor (making beds in the ED, stocking, assisting with transporting patients).  9. Functions in a float position and is assigned to the areas with patient needs.  10. Maintains patient dignity at all times and advocates for the patient.

II. Position

Qualifications:

License/Certification/

Education:

Required:

1. High School diploma or equivalent.
2. CPR Certification within 6 months of hire.

Experience/

Skills:

Preferred:  
1. Previous position held in a healthcare setting preferred.

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments.  The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description.  Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.

III. Physical Demands and

Environmental Conditions:

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities:  
1. Stand - 1/3 to 2/3  2. Walk - 1/3 to 2/3  3. Sit - 2/3  4. Talk or hear - 2/3  5. Uses hands to finger, handle or feel - 2/3  6. Push/pull - 1/3 to 2/3  7. Stoop,…