Patient Safety Observer, Med/Surg & ED Observers- 36 Hours, Nights

Patient Safety Observer

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

The Patient Safety Observer is responsible to provide continuous safety observation of patients to which they are assigned. The primary function in this role is to ensure patient safety and comfort. As part of the care team the Patient Observer may be asked to participate in supporting the patients with their activities of daily living, including, but not limited to, ambulating, feeding, and repositioning of patients as directed by nursing. The Patient Safety Observer may engage with the patients if appropriate and can use casual talk, sensory box including cards, coloring books, games. All care is to be documented and communicated through report with the designated staff member. All issues/concerns are to be reported immediately to the licensed clinical charge person.

I. Major Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains good human relations skills. Introduces self by name to the patient and engages in eye contact. Consistently displays a respectful, empathetic and caring attitude toward both the patients and their family members.
• Consistently observes for suicidal and/or violent behavior. Stays in close proximity of the patient and keeps them in the visual field at all times. Ensures patient safety at all times including while in the bathroom and when transported to other departments.
• Monitor visitors to ensure no unsafe materials are shared with the patient (weapons, illicit drugs, sharps).
• Maintains 15-minute checks with documentation unless otherwise directed.
• Patient Safety Observers can monitor more than 1 patient if deemed appropriate by the licensed staff in charge.
• Follow the directions of the nurse in charge.
• May transport patients if directed by the licensed staff in charge.
• When not observing a patient the patient safety observer can be used for other ancillary activities as directed by the nursing supervisor (making beds in the ED, stocking, assisting with transporting patients).
• Functions in a float position and is assigned to the areas with patient needs.
• Maintains patient dignity at all times and advocates for the patient.

II. Position Qualifications:

• License/Certification/Education: Required: 1. High School diploma or equivalent. 2. CPR Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Experience/Skills: Preferred: 1. Previous position held in a healthcare setting preferred.
• Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.
• Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.

III. Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions:

• On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities: 1. Stand - 1/3 to 2/3 2. Walk - 1/3 to 2/3 3. Sit - 2/3 4. Talk or hear - 2/3 5. Uses hands to finger, handle or feel - 2/3 6. Push/pull - 1/3 to 2/3 7. Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl - 1/3 to 2/3 8. Reach with hands and arms - 2/3
• This job requires that weight be lifted or force be exerted: 1. Up to 10 pounds - 2/3 2. Up to 25 pounds - 2/3 3. Up to 50 pounds - 2/3 4. Up to 100 pounds - 2/3 5. More than 100 pounds - 2/3
• This job requires exposure to the following environmental conditions: 1. Wet, humid conditions (non-weather) - 1/3 to 2/3 2. Work near moving mechanical parts - 2/3 3. Risk of radiation - Up to 1/3 4. Infectious Diseases - 1/3 to 2/3 5. Physical +/or Verbal Abusiveness - 2/3 6. Rotating Shifts - Up to 1/3 7. PPE when indicated - 1/3 to 2/3

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We're striving to make respect a part of everything we do at UMass Memorial Health for our patients, our community and each other. Our six Standards of Respect are: Acknowledge, Listen, Communicate, Be Responsive, Be a Team Player and Be Kind. If you share these Standards of Respect, we hope you will join our team and help us make respect our standard for everyone, every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMass Memorial Health recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.