Job Description

The Patient Safety Observer plays a vital role in maintaining a safe, supportive environment for patients identified as high risk for falls, elopement, self-harm, or other safety concerns. The PSO provides direct patient observation to redirect unsafe patient behaviors in the patient care setting. The PSO is one who strictly performs within their scope of practice as they are trained in basic activities related to the patient's safety, care, and comfort. This position requires continuous observation, situational awareness, and clear communication with the healthcare team to prevent adverse events and ensure patient safety. The PSO functions as a member of the nursing care team and works under the direction and close supervision of professional nursing staff.

Shift:

• Nights 6:30p-7a

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Service:

• Consistently supports and communicates the Mission, Vision, and Values of St. Joseph Medical Center.
• Upholds the Standards of Conduct and Corporate Compliance.
• Maintains the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information. Use and disclose only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job.
• Provides uninterrupted observation with no distractions to ensure patient safety. Escalate concerns appropriately.
• Takes appropriate action when required and report changes in patient behavior or status immediately to nursing staff.
• Support the organization's service excellence standards with attentive and compassionate presence.

People:

• Incorporates the patient's physiological, psychological, cultural, developmental and spiritual needs into patient care.
• Demonstrates patience, tolerance, and respect for diversity in all interactions.
• Builds trust and rapport with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Receives handoff report from the previous PSO and /or patient's nurse.
• Provides continuous observations of the patients. Always maintains visual observation of patients; seeks help if patient appears to pose a threat to themselves or others.
• Provides for patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction.
• Performs room sweep. Maintains a patient environment in a safe and orderly manner. Removes objects from room that can potentially harm patient.
• Participates in hand-off of pertinent information at change of shift.
• Assists patients with ambulation under the direct supervision of the RN.

Quality:

• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains competency, as evidenced by completion of competency validation requirements.
• Promotes a culture of patient safety by participating in collaborative identification and reporting of patient safety concerns, maintaining a secure patient environment, and informing the nurse of findings.
• Identifies patient risks and takes appropriate action to prevent harm.
• Maintains physical environment in a clean and orderly condition.
• Demonstrates safe work practices and attitudes; adheres to safety rules and participates in department safety programs.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support certification required.
• Other certification requirements as defined by the certification policy.
• Effective verbal and written communication in English.
• Basic technical, clerical, interpersonal skills relevant to patient care/area.
• Strong observational and interpersonal abilities.
• Must possess the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a safe environment for all patients in high stress environments.
• Must be comfortable working with all patients regardless of age, sex, religious affiliation or any other protected category.
• Must possess the ability to effectively and professionally communicate with other members of the health care team.

PREFERRED

• Bi or Multilingual.
• At least one year of experience as a patient safety observer in a long-term care facility or home health care agency is preferred.

Houston's oldest hospital is GROWING!

Welcome to St. Joseph Medical Center (SJMC), Houston's first and only downtown hospital delivering world-class care for the last 137 years and looking forward to the next century of exceptional care to Houstonians when they need us most.

Whether it's for a scheduled surgery, the birth of a baby, an unexpected emergency, or an outpatient visit, we have staff available around the clock to provide you access to immediate, quality health care. SJMC has been providing health care services to Greater Houston residents for over 130 years, which should give you great comfort in knowing that we have a great tradition of caring for our community. We strive to meet our patients' expectations and encourage our patients to provide us with feedback on how we can help them have the best experience possible while they're in our care.

Over the last years we have expanded our services to include the Advanced Wound Care Center, Comprehensive Cardiac and Vascular Services, the Women's Center, the St. Joseph Maternal Fetal Medicine Center, and a Weight Loss Surgery Program, just to name a few. As you work with our physicians, nurses, case managers, educators, and other staff, you will be guided through your health care journey, from diagnosis to treatment, with compassion every step of the way.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the foundation of the care St Joseph Medical Center provides to our community we are privileged to support in all of our employment practices. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic.