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 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., ADL's, ambulation, and toileting. The safety sitter must be able to work in a fast-paced environment which 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
Respond 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 the achievement of intended outcomes
Provides basic patient care needs (ex. Hygiene, nutrition, elimination, physical comfort measures) as assigned.
Assist RN and other members of the healthcare 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.
Enforces the importance of universal precautions with patient and patients 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.
Communicate completion of assignments/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 update whiteboards 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
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 clinical 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.
