Patient Safety Assistant (.9FTE, Nights)

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POSITION SUMMARY : Provides direct observation for patients requiring direct supervision for safety reasons. This includes patients with compromised judgment pertaining to their safety and wellbeing as it relates to falls; interference with therapeutic equipment; patients who may need companions due to their state of confusion or agitation; and / or patients at risk for self-harm or elopement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : Qualified individuals must have the ability (with or without reasonable accommodation) to perform the following duties :

• Provides direct supervision / line of sight to patients with safety concerns.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (bathing, hygiene, feeding, etc.).
• Uses appropriate resources for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.
• Integrates principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.
• Uses standard precautions and uses personal protective equipment.
• Interacts with the patient in a manner that preserves patient dignity, privacy, and meets psychosocial and age-appropriate needs of the patient.
• Stays at the patient's bedside and keeps the patient in their direct line of vision at all times. Personal activities such as reading, studying, crafts, using personal social media devices are not permitted while on duty supervising patients.
• Escorts and assists patients with ambulatory / bathroom privileges and stays with the patient at all times, requesting assistance as needed.
• Interacts with the patient as appropriate to provide diversionary activities to engage the patient. This includes reading to the patient, working on a puzzle or similar activity with the patient, conversing with the patient, etc.
• Assists with patient re-positioning and assists patient with bed chair transfers.
• Helps patient with general comfort needs.
• Keeps patient's immediate care area free of clutter and hazards.
• Monitors patients per policy and within a manner that protects the safety of patients and others.
• Communicates patient and unit information to the RN and interdisciplinary team in a timely manner.
• Seeks help from patient's primary RN and interdisciplinary team when needed.
• Informs patient's primary RN when experiencing difficulty completing an assignment.
• Receives report and clarifies information as needed.
• Stays with the patient (within arms-reach) until relieved by another Patient Safety Assistant or healthcare provider.
• Clarifies break times with patient's primary RN and nursing staff.
• Informs patient's primary RN when leaving the unit for any reason.
• Ensures there is coverage for the patient before leaving the patient's bedside.
• Introduces self to patient and explains the role.
• Serves as preceptor and mentor for new Patient Safety Assistants
• Documents patient behaviors and interventions in the Electronic Medical Record or on paper as appropriate
• Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine Lancaster General values, policies, and procedures.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS : The following duties are considered secondary to the primary duties listed above :

JOB REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS :

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.