Facility: Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center

Job Summary:

The Safety Sitter role will primarily function as a constant monitor for patients requiring continuous observation. The safety sitter's responsibility is to observe and report behaviors that may interrupt medically necessary therapies and/or perceived changes in the patient's condition to the appropriate health care team member (s). The safety sitter will function under the direction of the registered nurse assigned to the patient they are monitoring, a designee assigned by the registered nurse, such as the clinical supervisor on duty. The safety sitter is focused on promoting a positive patient experience by partnering with the patient, family, and other care providers to provide excellence in customer service and assistance with daily living activities and comfort measures as needed for patient observation. The safety sitter may assist other health care providers with safe, age-appropriate, and culturally competent care by performing basic patient care functions, i.e., ADLs, ambulation, and toileting. The safety sitter must be able to work in a fast-paced environment that requires observation and ongoing communication with a registered nurse and interdisciplinary team. Must be able to perform under stressful conditions with a compassionate, respectful, and helpful manner. Must be able to take direction.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Continuous Observation

Notify RN/Charge RN/CCP of potential or recent changes in the patients behavioral risk factors, or mental status as observed

Document patient status every 15 minutes on patients under observation for involuntary behavioral health patients and every hour for medical safety sitting.

Evaluate & secure the environment for safety each shift. Document interventions as needed

Always Ensures direct visibility & observation of the patient.

Telesitter Facility Liaison

Tracks, delivers, maintains, and retrieves telesitter carts

Troubleshoots any cart connectivity issues and places an IT ticket if necessary

Performs safe room guideline checks upon initiation and upon every hand-off thereafter

Performs environmental rounds to ensure safe room guidelines are being maintained

Responds to remote telesitter escalation for face-to-face intervention

Notifies Nurse and/or charge Nurse when face to face redirection is required

Care Team Collaboration

Supports initiatives of the interdisciplinary care team

Practices accountability for patient safety

Patient Transport- proper verification of patient identification & notification of RN upon leaving or returning to room when not needed for patient observation

EVS & Nutrition Services assist EVS & Food services when not needed for patient observation.

Patient Centered Care

Supports an environment of healing or wellness for patients which includes addressing patient needs in partnership with the patient

engages the patient and family in compliance with the treatment plan.

Effectively contributes to the plan of care or treatment intervention based on assigned tasks and patient/family input in collaboration with the healthcare team with a focus on the care continuum.

Consistently implements safety interventions to minimize risk in achievement of intended outcomes

Provides basic patient care needs (ex. Hygiene, nutrition, elimination, physical comfort measures) as assigned.

Assist RN and other members of health care team with care delivery as assigned

Notifies nurse when physician/interdisciplinary care team members arrive in observed patient room

Safe Space and Infection Control

Provides a safe environment for the provision of patient care

Consistent use of appropriate hand hygiene

Keeps patient rooms and unit areas clean and free of clutter

Follows appropriate PPE/Infection control policies e. Reinforces the importance of universal precautions with patient and patient family

Utilizes proper body mechanics and lift equipment

Performs environment of care rounds

Communication

Uses effective written and oral communication skills with patients, staff, physicians, family, and visitors

Uses safety communication techniques.

Communicates completion of assignment/duties to the appropriate person

Communicate patient care concerns/problems/emergencies to the RN

Uses positive and respectful communication with all members of the healthcare team, patients and families.

Communicate with patients and updates white boards with information as requested.

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

High school diploma Required or equivalent from an accredited program Required and

Must attend and successfully complete the Wellstar training and Initial Competency Assessment within the first 30 days of employment.

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

Basic Life Support (BLS) with the American Heart Association

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):

Graduate from a CNA/CMA Program or completion of first semester nursing clinicals including nursing fundamentals Upon Hire Preferred

Required Minimum Experience:

Previous healthcare experience Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Ability to read, write, and speak the English language

Ability to hear and see alarms and digital readouts

Strong customer service and interpersonal skills

Ability to collaborate with other healthcare providers in the provision of patient care

Ability to function in stressful and emergency situations is essential.