Position Summary:

Provide professional, courteous and compassionate observation services for patients and clinical staff while meeting the standards outlined by The Joint Commission, CMS, ABM, and the Hospital. Maintain constant visual and audible observation of assigned patient and report any unusual observations to clinical staff. Responsible for all other duties assigned.

General Duties:

• Supports the Mission, Vision and Values of ABM and client facility through cooperation with ABM and facility leadership to ensure effective patient care and safety.
• Consistently provides outstanding service to all patients, clinical staff, fellow employees, and guests.
• Displays initiative to see processes through to completion and offers assistance without being asked.
• Maintains awareness of own limitations and seeks guidance from appropriate personnel as needed.
• Remains alert to the detection of errors in own work and the work of others with appropriate corrective actions initiated.
• Demonstrates an understanding of patient rights, including those pertaining to confidentiality, informed decision-making, and privacy.
• Utilizes specialized knowledge and skill to perform job requirements.
  

Specific Duties:

• Patient Observation Attendants MUST remain with assigned patient at all times unless there is relief. POA to orient patients to surroundings as necessary.
• Observe patient and report any unusual observations, changes in patient condition, or any need of assistance to clinical staff.
• Utilize verbal persuasion techniques to have patient remain in bed and/or hospital room. POA may touch patient to prevent from exiting bed/chair and prevent from pulling out tubes/lines. POA may not use physical force for prevention.
• Immediately report any patient that makes further attempts to leave bed/room. (Patients are not allowed to leave their bed or assigned room unless clinical staff has given permission to do so. Patient MUST be escorted by clinical staff in any such situation - No Exceptions).
• If clinical staff wishes to restrain a non-violent patient to prevent them from leaving, Patient Observation Attendants may not assist .
• If a patient is restrained, ABM may not touch, adjust, or remove restraints.
• Patient Observation Attendants may ASSIST clinical staff when clinical staff is physically present. Clinical staff member is fully in charge and responsible during any assist and for provision of required positioning, elimination needs, or mobility.
• Feed and offer fluids, if approved by the RN. POA may assist patient out of bed in chair for meals if approved by the RN.
• Patient Observation Attendant may escort a patient to restroom.
• Patient Observation Attendant may ambulate patient if approved by the RN.
• Patient Observation Attendant will follow patient off unit for approved testing.
• Act as liaison with clinical staff and ABM leadership staff.
• Prepare Shift Patient Observation Reports
• Follow established policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety and environmental and infection control.
• Keep work area clean of debris and provide clean and orderly environment.
• Ensure established dress code and hygiene guidelines, including being properly identified are consistently applied and followed.
• Adheres to Tardiness/Attendance polic
  

Specific Exclusions:

• Patient Observation Attendants :
  

• NEVER leave an assigned patient unattended without obtaining relief staff
• NEVER sleep during shift
• NEVER administer medications or perform treatments
• NEVER use personal cell phones or patient’s phone for personal calls.
• NEVER use any personal electronic devices with headsets or earpieces of any kind
  

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

Ø Able to act independently and make accurate decisions with exceptional focus on attention to detail.

Ø High degree of attention and ability to maintain consistent visual and audible observation.

Ø Ability to demonstrate exceptional service and interpersonal skills that are interpreted as positive and customer service oriented.

Ø Understand and respond appropriately to basic customer, employee and supervisory inquiries.

Ø Ability to analyze and solve problems.

Ø Ability to operate equipment in assigned area.

Ø Must maintain confidentiality of patients, visitors, staff and guests.

Qualifications:

Ø Ability to support and maintain expectations within policy and procedure guidelines.

Ø Ability to act independently and make accurate and responsible decisions.

Ø Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Ø Must be able to meet health requirements such as TB test, Hepatitis screen, MMR, Varicella, etc.

Ø Must be able to lift, push, pull objects up to 50 pounds with reasonable accommodation, and exhibit full range of motion including standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing and crouching.

Ø Education minimum: high school diploma or equivalent

Ø Read, write and communicate using English language sufficient to perform job functions.

Ø Applicants may be rejected if an interview or background check reveals that the applicant has been convicted of a felony or offense against persons involving violence, threats or physical abuse or offense against property such as receipt of stolen property, larceny, embezzlement, burglary or similar convictions.

Ø Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Ø Must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Ø Must be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license with a MVR criteria meeting company guidelines, if required.