About the position
The Patient Safety Assistant position at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is designed for individuals who provide direct observation and supervision for patients requiring safety monitoring. This role is critical for patients who may have compromised judgment, are at risk for falls, or may interfere with therapeutic equipment. The Patient Safety Assistant will work closely with patients who may be confused, agitated, or at risk for self-harm or elopement, ensuring their safety and well-being at all times. The position requires a commitment to maintaining a safe environment and providing compassionate care to patients in need of assistance. In this role, the Patient Safety Assistant will be responsible for providing direct supervision and maintaining a line of sight to patients with safety concerns. This includes assisting patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, hygiene, and feeding. The assistant will utilize appropriate resources to address the special needs of patients, including language barriers and sensory issues, while integrating infection control principles into their practice. It is essential for the assistant to interact with patients in a manner that preserves their dignity and privacy, while also meeting their psychosocial and age-appropriate needs. The Patient Safety Assistant will remain at the patient's bedside, ensuring they are within direct line of vision at all times. Personal activities such as reading or using social media are not permitted while on duty. The assistant will escort and assist patients with mobility needs, engage them in diversionary activities, and help with general comfort needs. Communication with the nursing staff and interdisciplinary team is vital, as the assistant will relay important patient information and seek assistance when necessary. The role also includes documentation of patient behaviors and interventions in the Electronic Medical Record, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
Responsibilities
- Provides direct supervision/line of sight to patients with safety concerns.
- Assists patients with activities of daily living (bathing, hygiene, feeding, etc.).
- Uses appropriate resources for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.
- Integrates principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.
- Uses standard precautions and personal protective equipment.
- Interacts with the patient in a manner that preserves patient dignity, privacy, and meets psychosocial and age-appropriate needs.
- Stays at the patient's bedside and keeps the patient in their direct line of vision at all times.
- Escorts and assists patients with ambulatory/bathroom privileges and stays with the patient at all times, requesting assistance as needed.
- Engages patients in diversionary activities such as reading, puzzles, or conversation.
- Assists with patient re-positioning and bed ↔ chair transfers.
- Helps patient with general comfort needs.
- Keeps patient's immediate care area free of clutter and hazards.
- Monitors patients per policy and within a manner that protects the safety of patients and others.
- Communicates patient and unit information to the RN and interdisciplinary team in a timely manner.
- Seeks help from patient's primary RN and interdisciplinary team when needed.
- Informs patient's primary RN when experiencing difficulty completing an assignment.
- Receives report and clarifies information as needed.
- Stays with the patient (within arms-reach) until relieved by another Patient Safety Assistant or healthcare provider.
- Clarifies break times with patient's primary RN and nursing staff.
- Informs patient's primary RN when leaving the unit for any reason and ensures coverage for the patient before leaving the bedside.
- Introduces self to patient and explains the role.
- Serves as preceptor and mentor for new Patient Safety Assistants.
- Documents patient behaviors and interventions in the Electronic Medical Record or on paper as appropriate.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Must complete on the job orientation and training as scheduled.
- Ability to speak, understand, read and write English.
- Healthcare provider CPR certification (can attain certification within 30 days of hire).
Benefits
- 100% Tuition Assistance at The Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
- Shift, Weekend and On-Call Differentials
- Health, Dental and Vision Coverage
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Retirement Savings Account with Company Matching
- Child Care Subsidies
- Onsite Gym and Fitness Classes
