Patient Safety Attendant

Patient Safety Attendant

The Patient Safety Attendant participates in high-quality, patient-centered care by providing continuous observation and monitoring for high-risk patients. In collaboration with the patient care team, the PSA ensures the patient environment is free of obstacles and minimizes the risk of falls and accidental or intentional self-harm. The PSA may also assist with basic activities of daily living.

Essential Functions

• Maintain continuous line of sight of the patient at all times, including during bathroom use. Observe the patient while eating and drinking and assist as needed.
• Ensures the cleanliness and safety of the patient's room.
• Accompanies the patient to tests or procedures, remaining with them unless instructed otherwise. If asked to leave, wait outside, and return as soon as the procedure is complete.
• Identifies and promptly reports any changes or concerns in the patient's status to the assigned nurse. Reports patient information and activities during hand-off with nursing present. Reports any expression of ideas or intention to hurt self/others or desire to leave the facility Against Medical Advice (AMA) to the assigned nurse. Communicates with team members to ensure the patient is not left alone.
• Listens attentively if the patient wishes to converse and encourage them to share concerns with the physician or assigned nurse. Avoids giving any advice.
• Follows all Infection Control policies. Completes the Environmental Safety Checklist each shift and during hand-off, ensuring ligature risks are mitigated in coordination with the primary nurse.
• Consults with the nurse partner if the patient needs to be mobilized.

Additional Responsibilities for Patients with Suicidal Ideation:

• Remain with the patient at all times, even if family or visitors are present. Ensure a continuous line of sight and provide constant one-on-one visual observation to immediately intervene if necessary. Ensure the environment has limited risk factors by removing all linen immediately after use and ensuring no extra linens are in the room. Ensure the patient is in a gown with no strings, and remove all patient clothing, shoes, jewelry, and belongings from the room, preferably sending them home with family. Secure any valuables not taken by the family. Do not allow visitors to give any items to the patient or bring large bags into the room; consult nursing if visitors refuse.
• Only allow electric razors, remove any unnecessary electrical cords, and ensure only plastic utensils are used for meals. Observe closely during meals and remove utensils immediately after use. Ensure all plastic trash and linen bags are removed from the room. Ensure windows are not opened and all sharps containers are removed. Remove all gloves and glove boxes. Ensure there are no supplies, equipment, or other devices that are sharp, metal, or plastic and could be used as ligatures or ligature-support devices.

Skills

• Patient Care
• Patient Safety
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
• Organization
• Health Care

Posting Specifics

• Entry Rate: Depending on experience
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• Shift Details: Full Time - Variable Day/Night schedule with weekend and holiday requirements
• Department: Patient Safety Department - St Vincent Hospital

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP) certification upon hire or obtained within 60 days of hire with prior approval.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1)+ year of experience working in a hospital setting
• Workplace Violence Prevention Training

Physical Requirements

• Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.
• Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, medication preparation, etc.
• Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients. Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.
• Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment. This includes pushing/pulling gurneys and portable equipment, including heavy items. Often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms (full of equipment, power cords on the floor, etc.)
• May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.
• For roles requiring driving: Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, and other vehicles.

Location: Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital

Work City: Billings

Work State: Montana

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

The hourly range for this position is listed below. Actual hourly rate dependent upon experience.

$17.86 - $23.21

We care about your well-being – mind, body, and spirit – which is why we provide our caregivers a generous benefits package that covers a wide range of programs to foster a sustainable culture of wellness that encompasses living healthy, happy, secure, connected, and engaged.

Intermountain Health is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.