Position Summary

The Patient Observation Specialist assists the healthcare team by performing duties as assigned. Provides direct observation for patients who cannot be left unattended to minimize the risk of patient elopement, injury, monitoring for those patients that demonstrate a need or a potential need for protection, against injury or harm including, but not limited to self-harm.

Decisions and actions with patients and families are determined in an ethical manner practicing compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth and unique attributes of each person. Effectively communicates with patients/families, visitors, colleagues, physicians, leadership, and volunteers. Adheres to ARHS policies and procedures, regulatory requirements, and standards of behavior.

Demonstrates the ARHS Mission, Vision, and Values in action and approaches work in a way that reflects a bias for action, efficiency, and personal accountability. Demonstrates professional conduct, effective communication, and effective delegation of tasks. Effectively and professionally manages working relationships with coworkers, physicians, and all ARHS team members in a way that promotes a healthy work environment. Performs duties under general supervision. Always assists coworkers, patients, families, and visitors, so long as the assistance is in-line with their scope.

Essential job Functions and Responsibilities

The Patient Observation Specialist 2 assists with numerous functions and responsibilities including, but not limited to:

• Maintains patient safety.
• Direct observation is utilized to help prevent a patient from injuring him/herself, while utilizing the least restrictive method that is effective, and maintaining the patient’s dignity, rights and well-being.
• Suicide Precautions requires direct, constant visualization of the patient.
• Safety is maintained by preventing the following: Interfering with medical treatment (i.e., pulling at IV lines, tubes and drains), elopement risk/wandering patient (i.e., patient verbalized intent to leave and/or demonstrating wandering behaviors despite bed exit alarm and/or placement near nursing station), Disorientation (to person, place, and time), impaired thinking, memory deficits and/or impaired judgment, Suicidal or aggressive behavior or ideation.
• Safety concerns, and any change in the patient’s conduction, including, but not limited to, sharps or medications in the room of a patient on suicide precaution, are communicated to the registered nurse and/or other members of the healthcare team in a timely manner.
• Duties assigned by the team leader/supervisor are followed according to policy and procedure.
• Protocols established by the psychiatric units are followed when sitting with their patient population.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Education

• High school graduate or equivalent preferred for Level 1 and 2
• High school graduate or equivalent required for Level 3 and 4

Experience

• Previous experience is preferred.
• Basic Life Support (BLS). BLS from the American Heart Association is required at the time of hire.
• All required certifications must be obtained within 1 year of hire date, except Basic Life Support (BLS).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of and works within the scope of the observer.
• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with the public, patients, family, staff, and physicians; acts within the chain of command, utilizing positive verbal and non-verbal skills.
• Competent in delivering safe and effective patient care within limits of certification and hospital policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the continuum of care provided.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service to patients, family, staff, and physicians.

Physical Demands

• Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Prolonged, extensive or considerable sitting/standing/walking
• Bending, squatting, twisting, turning
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less

Working Conditions

• Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases
• Exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment
• Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens
• Exposed to unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces uneven surfaces), etc.
• Handles emergency or crises
• Subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays)