Job Description

We’re looking for a full time Patient Observation Assistant, someone who’s ready to grow with our company. In this position you will ensure the safety of patients at risk of harm to self or others, under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Care will be delivered that incorporates Family Centered Care in a cost-effective manner and is developmental and age appropriate for the patient population.

Think you’ve got what it takes?

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides direct continual observation of patients requiring special precautions to ensure a safe environment during their hospital stay.
• Patient Observation Assistants (POA) are responsible for remaining with the assigned patient at all times during their assigned shift.
• Direct observation of the patient and monitoring for at-risk behavior.
• Assists the R.N. to provide an environment conducive to safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Promotes healthy coping via verbal support, implementation of behavior plan by therapeutic team and management of the environment.
• Assists in identifying patient response to care provided and reports patient condition to the RN to assure achievement of desired outcomes.
• Ensures and participates in ongoing communication with other health care team members in order to enhance the patient’s plan of care, advocate for the patient/family, and facilitate unit operations.
• Uses knowledge of behavioral health diagnosis/issue to understand the presenting problem and provides therapeutic direction and feedback to the patient.
• Evaluates patient responses to interventions; documents observations in the patient's medical record and communicates findings for appropriate team members.
• Responds during a psychiatric emergency using the least restrictive measures to ensure patient safety.
• Uses verbal de-escalation techniques to prevent escalation and violence.
• Maintains therapeutic boundaries.
• Participates in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as a means of reinforcing safety in structured routines.
• POAs will provide ADLs for patients who require observation for medical needs or alone patients.
• POAs will not provide ADLs for patients who require observation of behavioral health conditions.
• Monitors the environment for items that could be used as weapons to harm self or others.
• Use safe and effective oral feeding practices to ensure eating safety.
• Demonstrates willingness and ability to acquire new knowledge, demonstrates new skills needed to improve individual, team, and organizational performance.
• Demonstrates commitment to team, flexibility, professional interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, all successful candidates will be required to undergo respiratory fit testing in compliance with occupational health and safety standards.

Skills & Requirements

H.S. Diploma or GED required

BLS - Cert-Basic Life Support by the American Heart Association preferred

CNA - Certified Nurse Assistant preferred

1 year experience in a psychiatric inpatient or outpatient program, Psychiatric Residential placement programs or in therapeutic support services preferred

Inpatient hospital experience or enrolled in an accredited Nursing education program preferred