Patient Sitter

It's more than a career, it's a calling.

MO-SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

Worker Type:

Regular

Job Summary:

Patient Assistant is responsible for the direct, continuous observation of patients requiring same. She/he intervenes as necessary to prevent physical harm to patients who might be at high risk to injure themselves or others due to confusion, delirium, self-destructive behavior, or a high likelihood of falling. Patient Assistant works with others in the healthcare team to assure prompt intervention to maintain patient safety.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements:

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND PERFORMANCES CRITERIA

Essential Functions: The following are essential job accountabilities and performance criteria:

Position Accountabilities

1) General Patient Care: Carries out patient plan of care, providing for patient safety and patient's needs as directed by the Registered Nurse

Criteria:

A) Provides consistent, direct observation of assigned patient(s).

B) Remains with patient always including when patient leaves room/unit for procedures, testing.

C) Intervenes when needed to prevent patient from harming self or others, calling for assistance immediately when necessary.

D) Assures a safe environment, notifying Registered Nurse of concerns or need for change.

E) Assists patient with basic activities of daily living, i.e. hygiene, oral care, oral intake (unless directed to do otherwise).

F) Provides for mobility i.e. ambulating, up to chair, range of motion and turning.

G) Assists others with patient's care.

H) Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

2) Communication: Receives and reports information pertinent to the safety of the patient

Criteria:

A) Obtains hand off report on the patient from the assigned nurse at the beginning of the shift.

B) Understands the specific behaviors to be observed for.

C) Reports significant patient behaviors on a timely basis, and summaries in a verbal shift report to on- coming patient assistant and nurse.

Job Specifications:

MINIMUM EDUCATION: High school graduate or GED equivalent and at least 18 years of age.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Previous direct patient care preferred but not required.

REQUIRED COURSE: Current CPR Certificate

WORKING CONDITIONS: Regular exposure to the risk of blood borne diseases. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. Exposure to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries, illness). Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Subject to irregular hours. Pressure due to multiple competing demands.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking.

Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers patients. Lifts supplies/equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, pushing, pulling 100+ pounds.

Employee___________________________________________Date____________

Supervisor__________________________________________Date_____________

Department Director __________________________________Date_____________

Administration________________________________________Date_____________

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. An individual working in their job classification must also perform specific tasks upon request by supervisor personnel. Furthermore, the duties and responsibilities for this job classification are subject to change at the discretion of the medical center.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS 
 
State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin 

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA)

Work Shift:

Day Shift (United States of America)

Employee

Department:

8452000037 Nursing Float Pool

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

36

Benefits:

SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs.

• Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE). 

• Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday.

• Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members. 

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SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more.