Patient Sitter

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Float Nurse Manager/Clinical Supervisor/Unit Charge Nurse/professional nurse, the Sitter provides continuous observation and basic support with the activities of daily living for inpatients at risk for accidental or intentional self-harm due to suicidal thoughts, or those patients with signed commitment papers

Minimum Qualifications

•Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
•Minimum Years of Experience: None
•Substitutable Education & Experience: None
•Required Certifications/Licensure: Certified Nursing Assistant (Or successful completion of nursing assistant training)
•Required Training: None

Essential Functions

•Participates in Plan of Care interventions.

•Observes the patient at all times, even when in the bathroom.

•Calls for clinical assistance as needed if the patient’s actions put them at risk for harm.

•Remains in the room with the patient at all times.

•Maintains the patient’s door open at all times.

•Instructs family or visitors to check in at the nurse’s station before bringing any items into the room.

•Documents legibly on the nurses not every one-hour, 1:1 observation.

•Accompany the patient at all times, even for test and treatments.

•Reports to nurse changes in patient condition and observations relevant to patient’s needs.

•Obtains and records vital signs both manually and with electronic devices, and reports abnormal findings to nurse.

•Assists in the care of the patient receiving oxygen therapy by maintaining integrity of delivery source and reporting abnormal observations to nurse.

•Obtains and records patient’s weight (bed scales and/or standing scales and reports to nurse as directed.

•Encourages or limits PO intake as directed.

•Performs perineal care and assists with elimination needs i.e., assisting to bathroom, placing on bedpan, recording output, and using cleansing products and moisture barriers to safely care for skin during episodes of incontinence.

•Demonstrates ability to provide comfort measures in accordance with unit standards:  
◦Changes linen and makes bed, organizes the patient’s environment, and performs  other personalized services within prescribed limits.      

◦Gives bed bath or assists patient with bathing, dressing, oral hygiene and other personal care. Shaves male patients as part of daily bath.
•Demonstrates ability to provide safety measures in accordance with unit standards:  
◦Recognizes need for safety measures and takes appropriate action to prevent injury i.e., fall prevention, skin breakdown prevention, suicide precautions, aspiration  precautions, bleeding precautions, seizure precautions and transmission-based  precautions.            

◦Follows policies and procedures for lifting/transfer.      

◦Properly uses minimal lift equipment.        

◦Follows appropriate infection control policies and procedures.
•Shares knowledge/expertise with co-workers and promotes a positive working environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

•Accepts work assignments readily.

•Abides by LMC’s Code of Conduct.

•Demonstrates knowledge of area and organizational activities by attending or reading minutes of staff meetings, and other communications.

•Supports and participates actively in change processes/performance improvement activities by willingly adopting new methods.

•Functions as a role model for students and staff and displays positive problem solving behavior.

•Demonstrates timely communication of patient events/issues to appropriate persons

•Uses time and supplies/equipment in an efficient and effective manner.

•Demonstrates effective teamwork skills and maintains a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information; responding to requests; building rapport; participating in team problem-solving methods.

•Completes assigned tasks within specified time frame.

•Prioritizes workload to best meet both patient and unit needs.

•Restocks rooms with supplies needed for patient care.

•Promptly responds to all communication devices in order to meet patient needs.

•Maintains required certifications.

•Completes yearly safety training and other mandatory classes.

•Meets or exceeds all LMC requirements for attendance and service expectations.

•Complies with all annual employee health requirements.

•Abides by LMC’s Code of Conduct and maintains privacy, security, and confidentiality of patient, staff and organizational information.

•Adheres to dress code and maintains personal hygiene.

•Performs all other duties as assigned.